LANSING, Mich., April 2, 2021 — State Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit) has introduced legislation that would remove Michigan’s “patient tax” on medical marijuana. House Bill 4085 and House Bill 4086 would exempt medical marijuana from the state’s 6 percent use tax and sales tax, respectively.
“Medical marijuana is the only prescription medication that is taxed by the state of Michigan,” said Johnson. “Why are we penalizing hundreds of thousands of medical marijuana users who, under the care of a doctor, are trying to manage painful and debilitating ailments? It makes no sense, and it needs to stop.”
In Michigan, medical marijuana must be prescribed by a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery (DO) licensed to practice in the state. Patients must get a signed physician certification to qualify.
Medical marijuana is used to treat patients suffering from: Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic pain and nausea.
The bills have been assigned to the House Committee on Tax Policy.
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