Yes, a 16-year-old can get a medical marijuana card in Michigan. The state’s Medical Marihuana Program has no minimum age requirement, so minors of any age are eligible as long as they have a qualifying medical condition, two separate physician certifications, and a parent or legal guardian willing to serve as their caregiver. The process is more involved than it is for adults, but it’s fully legal under state law.
What the Minor Application Requires
Michigan uses a separate application packet for patients under 18. Where an adult only needs one doctor’s sign-off, a minor needs two. Each physician certification must come from a different doctor, and both must be either a Medical Doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) licensed in Michigan. This two-physician rule is the biggest practical difference between adult and minor applications.
The full packet includes three main documents:
- Minor Application Form for a Registry Identification Card
- Declaration of Person Responsible for Minor Patient, signed by a parent or legal guardian
- Two Physician Certification Forms, each completed and signed by a separate licensed physician
You’ll also need proof of Michigan residency and the $40 application fee, payable by check or money order to the State of Michigan. The completed packet is mailed to the Cannabis Regulatory Agency in Lansing.
Qualifying Medical Conditions
The list of qualifying conditions is the same for minors and adults. Some of the conditions most relevant to younger patients include chronic pain, seizures (including epilepsy), autism, Tourette’s, cerebral palsy, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder and arthritis also qualify.
Beyond named conditions, Michigan allows approval for any chronic or debilitating disease that produces severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe and persistent muscle spasms, or cachexia (wasting syndrome). This broader language gives physicians some flexibility when a teen’s condition doesn’t fall neatly into one of the named categories.
The Parent or Guardian’s Role
A minor patient cannot use their medical card independently. A parent or legal guardian must sign the Declaration of Person Responsible and typically serves as the minor’s registered primary caregiver. This means the parent is the one who purchases, possesses, and manages the marijuana on the teen’s behalf. Michigan law protects registered caregivers from arrest or professional penalties for assisting a qualifying patient, as long as they carry their own registry card and a valid photo ID.
The caregiver is allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana product for the minor patient and can grow up to 12 plants in an enclosed, locked facility if the patient designates them to do so. Michigan law also explicitly states that a person cannot be denied custody or visitation of a minor solely for participating in the medical marijuana program, unless their behavior creates an unreasonable, clearly documented danger.
Possession and Purchase Limits
A registered minor patient has the same possession limits as any qualifying patient: up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana product. Their caregiver can purchase up to 2.5 ounces per day from a licensed provisioning center on their behalf. If the patient is connected with a registered caregiver through the state program, the caregiver handles all purchasing and storage. The minor would not be walking into a dispensary themselves.
How to Get Started
The first step is getting your teen evaluated by two separate Michigan-licensed physicians who can certify that the minor has a qualifying condition. Some families start with their child’s existing doctor and then seek a second opinion from a physician experienced in medical marijuana evaluations. Both doctors must independently complete and sign a Physician Certification Form.
Once you have both certifications, download the Minor Application Packet from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency website (michigan.gov/mmp). Fill out the minor application form, complete the parental declaration, gather proof of residency, and include the $40 fee. Mail everything to:
Cannabis Regulatory Agency
Michigan Medical Marijuana Program
P.O. Box 30083
Lansing, MI 48909
If you have questions during the process, the program can be reached at 517-284-8599 or by email at [email protected]. Processing times vary, so plan ahead rather than waiting until treatment is urgent.