Top 9 fast facts about Michigan's medical marijuana program

A little more than a year ago, voters in Michigan approved a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Since then, the state has been given the job of developing a program to oversee its distribution and use.

The Michigan Medical Marihauna Program took effect earlier this year and raised questions about the legality of even taking advantage of the program since federal law made no such allowances. (However, in October it was widely reported that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told federal prosecutors not to prioritize medical marijuana cases.)

An employee places marijuana in a container for a client at the La Brea Collective medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles.

Associated Press

The lack of clarity hasn't stopped the popularity of the program among some Michigan residents, including those who have begun registering as patients and caregivers in Ann Arbor.Â

The Michigan Department of Community Health recently updated its figures to reflect the use of the program through the end of November. Here's a look at how it's been working and how many people have taken advantage of it so far:

1. Applications received by the state in the 8 months ending Nov. 30 reached nearly 10,400, and on average, 66 new applications are received every day.

2. In Michigan, 5,873 patients are registered to use medical marijuana.

3. A total of 2,440 people are registered as caregivers, meaning they can distribute medical marijuana to registered patients.

4. More than 1,800 applications have been denied. The bulk were rejected due to incomplete paperwork, the state says.

5. Those eligible to become registered as patients and receive marijuana through the program must suffer from a debilitating condition that includes: cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimers disease, nail patella or a medical condition that produces wasting syndrome, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms.

6. The cost for applying as a patient is $100 - unless a patient can show eligibility in the Medicaid Health plan or receives Social Security payments. Those patients have an application cost of $25. It's not likely any insurers cover medical marijuana.

7. Registered caregivers must be older than 21, but no minimum age exists for registered patients. Those younger than 18 must get parent or guardian consent. The parent or guardian must be the registered caregiver for the minor.

8. There is no official state referral list of people who want to find a caregiver. If patients decide to change caregivers, it is their job to notify their caregiver they're no longer protected under the law.

9. Registered patients and caregivers can grow medical marijuana, but there is no provision that allows the program to provide seeds or starter plants and marijuana. The state does not define any legal provisions for acquiring the plants in the first place. State law doesn't protect registered caregivers and patients from being prosecuted at the federal level.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.