Michigan Cannabis Information Portal
(313) 217-3795

Monroe County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2025

  1. Michigan Cannabis
  2. Monroe County Cannabis

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Monroe County?

Cultivating medical and adult-use marijuana is legal in Monroe County in accordance with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA). Regulated by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), marijuana may be grown by licensed medical marijuana facilities and licensed adult-use marijuana establishments. Monroe County residents may also be authorized to grow marijuana at home for personal use. Outdoor cultivation is allowed; however, cultivation areas must be secured from unauthorized access and should not be visible to the unaided eye.

As of May 2023, Monroe County has three towns that have opted into the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA). Medical marijuana facilities may apply for a license in the Village of Carleton, Monroe Charter Township, and Petersburg. On the other hand, licensed adult-use marijuana establishments may only operate in Monroe Charter Township and Petersburg, as these are the only towns that have opted into the MRTMA. Monroe County residents are advised to utilize the CRA’s website to verify the validity of a license.

Under state regulations, the grower license is classified based on the number of cultivated marijuana plants:

  • Medical marijuana facilities
    • Class A Grower - 500 marijuana plants
    • Class B Grower - 1,000 marijuana plants
    • Class C Grower - 1,500 marijuana plants
  • Adult-use marijuana establishments
    • Class A Grower - 100 marijuana plants
    • Class B Grower - 500 marijuana plants
    • Class C Grower - 2,000 marijuana plants
    • Marijuana Microbusiness - 150 marijuana plants

Monroe County residents aged 21 and above can also grow medical and adult-use marijuana in their residences. A total of 12 plants may be grown in an enclosed, locked facility at one time.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Monroe County?

Licensed processors and marijuana microbusinesses may operate in the Village of Carleton, Monroe Charter Township, and Petersburg. These establishments are permitted to acquire marijuana from marijuana establishments, process and package marijuana, and sell or transport the processed marijuana into other marijuana establishments. They may only be located in residential areas or within 1,000 feet of schools if the local municipality permits them.

According to state regulations, marijuana may be processed into edibles, topicals, tinctures, beverages, or other marijuana-infused products safe for human consumption. Edibles should not be attractive to children and may not be comparable to the packaging of commercially-available products not containing marijuana. All packaging must be opaque, child-resistant, and resealable. Product labels must indicate the total amount of marijuana per packaging, and warning labels must be clearly indicated.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Monroe County?

Monroe County allows the retail of adult-use marijuana by licensed marijuana retailers and marijuana microbusinesses. Meanwhile, medical marijuana may be dispensed by licensed provisioning centers. Flowers, pre-rolls, edibles, vaporizers, concentrates, oils, tinctures, topicals, and accessories are among the products sold by licensed retailers.

Adult-use marijuana may only be sold to people at least 21 years old. The consumer must present a valid government-issued photo ID to help the dispenser verify the person’s identity and age. The purchase limit is 2.5 ounces of marijuana or 15 grams of concentrate per transaction.

Registered qualifying patients and primary caregivers can purchase medical marijuana from licensed provisioning centers. Before dispensing, these centers must verify the validity of the presented registry identification card. A daily limit of 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana or its equivalent may be dispensed per patient. For reference, 1 ounce of usable marijuana is equivalent to these amounts of marijuana-infused products: 16 ounces in solid form, 7 grams in gaseous form, or 36 fluid ounces in liquid form.

All retailers are obliged to enter their transactions and current inventory into the Statewide Mariijuana Monitoring System Information.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Monroe County?

It is lawful for licensed retailers and microbusinesses to offer delivery services to Monroe County residents. Both medical and adult-use marijuana may be delivered following state regulations.

Upon receiving approval to offer delivery services, these establishments may begin to accept online orders and payments from adult users, registered qualifying patients, and primary caregivers. Deliveries are limited to the set daily and monthly allowable limits. Delivery operators may only deliver to the provided physical address. Additionally, they must confirm the receiver’s identity through the presented valid registry identification card or government-issued photo ID.

Deliveries may only be fulfilled during the operating hours of the retailer. Marijuana products carried per trip may not exceed $5,000 and should be safely stored in a locked compartment. A delivery log containing the start and end of delivery, name of the delivery operator, amount of products delivered, tag number of the products, and the receiver’s signature must be accomplished on every trip.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Monroe County

Monroe County residents may register in the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) if they are certified to have any of the following debilitating medical conditions:

  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Pain
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Agitation due to Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Nail Patella
  • Post - Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Arthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Colitis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Tourette’s Disease
  • A chronic condition or its treatment that results in cachexia, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasm

After obtaining a physician’s certification, qualified patients may complete their application online or by mail. Completed paper applications and requirements must be mailed to:

Michigan Medical Marijuana Program

PO Box 30083

Lansing, MI 48909

An application fee of $40 is required for each application. Applicants may expect to receive their registry identification cards after 20 business days once approved. For inquiries, the MMMP may be reached at CRA-Socialequity@michigan.gov or through 517-284-8599.

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Monroe County?

Monroe County implements the tax imposed by the state of Michigan on marijuana sales – a 10% excise tax plus a 6% sales tax. All collected revenue is allocated to the following:

  • Medical Marihuana Excise Fund, which was created under the MMFLA
    • In proportion to the number of its marijuana facilities: 25% to municipalities, 30% to counties, and 5% to support the county sheriffs
    • 30% to the state
    • 5% to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards
    • 5% to the Department of State Police
  • Marijuana funds collected under the MRTMA
    • In proportion to the number of its marijuana retail stores or microbusiness: 15% to municipalities, and 15% to counties
    • 35% to the School Aid Fund, particularly for the K-12 education
    • 35% to the Michigan Transportation Fund for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges

As of March 2023, Monroe County has reported 2,780 registered qualifying patients and 283 primary caregivers. Product sales in the state amounted to $9,816,894.70 for medical marijuana and $239,857,322.13 for adult-use marijuana.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Monroe County

Medical marijuana and adult-use marijuana became legal in Monroe County after the MMMA and MRTMA were enacted by Michigan in 2008 and 2018, respectively. According to the available report of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office on the FBI Crime Data Explorer, crime rates related to marijuana are as follows:

  • Arrests for marijuana possession: 33 in 2007, 12 in 2008, three in 2009, seven in 2010, eight in 2011 and 2012, one in 2013, 17 in 2014, 33 in 2015, 47 in 2016, 46 in 2017, and 33 in 2018.
  • Arrests for marijuana sales: two in 2007, 10 in 2008, five in 2009, seven in 2010, 2 in 2011, one in 2012, none in 2013, two in 2014, three in 2015, five in 2016, two in 2017, and three in 2018.