Can You Get a Medical Card for ADHD in Michigan in 2024?

Photo by Alexander Abero

Michigan legalized the use of medical cannabis in 2008 for patients with certain qualifying conditions, typically ones with chronic pain symptoms.

But as cannabis grew in popularity in mainstream culture, we’re discovering more links between the benefits of medical marijuana and several different syndromes and conditions, including ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological condition marked by difficulty focusing or controlling one’s behavior. While it’s most common in children and adolescents, nearly five percent of American adults also have it.

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with ADHD, this article will tell you everything you need to know about whether you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Michigan.

 

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Michigan

To apply for an MMJ card in Michigan, you’ll have to register with the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency, be over the age of 18, and have a qualifying condition.

For those under 18, a legal guardian may apply on their behalf. In Michigan, two separate doctors must sign off on recommending medical cannabis for underage applicants.

The following conditions qualify you for a medical marijuana card:

• Colitis
• Autism
• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Nail Patella
• Chronic Pain
• HIV / AIDS
• Cerebral Palsy
• Crohn’s Disease
• Tourette’s Disease
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• A chronic condition that produces severe pain, nausea, muscle spasms, and seizures

So Can You Get a Medical Card for ADHD in Michigan?

Technically, no.

Despite the extensive list of conditions Michigan considers as qualifying for medical cannabis, ADHD is unfortunately not one of them.

However, that doesn’t mean your chances of getting a medical card in the state are gone. Registered Michigan residents looking for ways to alleviate ADHD symptoms and complement traditional medication still have an option.

The final clause on the state website provides Michigan doctors some latitude in prescribing medical marijuana based on individual cases and conditions. It’s crucial to have an honest consultation with your doctor about your symptoms and any associated conditions to see if medical cannabis might be a viable alternative.

That means that even though you won’t be able to get a medical card specifically for ADHD, there might be conditions associated with the disorder, such as periodic spikes in anxiety, that may still qualify you for a medical card in Michigan!

The Effects of Cannabis on ADHD

Cannabis’s impact on the brain is often associated with therapeutic effects, such as relaxation, pain relief, and alleviating anxiety. On very low doses, a practice known as microdosing, cannabis has also been linked to increased learning, focus, consolidation, and retrieval—all of which are effects that counteract the symptoms of ADHD.

However, because the link between the disorder and cannabis is still relatively new, there aren’t definitive studies correlating its effects with the alleviation of ADHD symptoms. Still, early findings and anecdotal evidence are highly encouraging.

For instance, in this small study, nearly half of respondents reported a reduction in their use of ADHD medication in conjunction with medical marijuana. Several high-dose patients even reported being able to completely stop taking their prescribed pharmaceuticals after starting cannabis treatment.

There are also small-sample studies from Finland and Canada that corroborate these early conclusions by indicating that cannabis plays a complementary role in alleviating ADHD symptoms.

In this qualitative analysis from Duke University, researchers analyzed online discussion forums on cannabis use and ADHD to determine how users view the treatment anecdotally. They discovered over a quarter of those self-regulating with cannabis found that it was therapeutic for the symptoms of their ADHD.

There’s no question that we need more extensive studies linking cannabis use and ADHD relief. However, based on the preliminary data, the effects of medical cannabis on attention deficit and hyperactivity appear favorable.

Schedule an Appointment with a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Michigan Today!

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with ADHD in Michigan and are looking for an alternative to traditional medication, you might be in luck.

While ADHD isn’t officially listed as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Michigan, numerous symptoms associated with the condition, such as impulsivity, restlessness, and sleep disturbances, may still qualify you for a medical card in the state, and we’re here to help.

Green Health Docs was founded on the principle of making people feel better while reducing the country’s growing dependence on opioids and pharmaceuticals.

Our doctors will assess your ADHD diagnosis and related syndromes to see if you qualify. To find out if you’re eligible for a medical marijuana card in Michigan, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.

 

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.