In 2008, Michigan voters passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA), which allows qualifying patients or their designated caregivers to cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants and possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis. Patients certified by their doctor and registered with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) are not subject to arrest or prosecution and are protected from civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau. Although dispensaries were not expressly permitted by state law, several local jurisdictions allowed them to provide access to patients.

In 2012, the legislature approved 4 bills which amend certain provisions of the MMMA, dealing with registration requirements, bona fide physician-patient relationship definition, and where one must store their medical cannabis while transporting it. The portions of the 2009 MMMA that were not effected by 2012 remain in place.

In September 2016, the governor signed 3 bills to improve the medical cannabis program. HB 4210 went into effect immediately clarify that medical cannabis patients may possess cannabis extracts and infused products. HB 4209 or the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act creates a program to license and regulate the cultivation, processing, transport and distribution of medical cannabis. The new Medical Marihuana Licensing Board along with LARA have until September 2017 to create the rules for the program and begin issuing licenses. HB 4827 or the Marihuana Tracking Act authorizes a state-wide seed to sale program.