A medical marijuana card is a state-issued document that allows qualifying patients to purchase and cultivate cannabis. Depending on the state, a card may also grant access to dispensaries with lower prices and better customer service.
In a longitudinal study, Tucker and colleagues found that young adults with an MM card reported heavier and more problematic use of marijuana. They were also more symptomatic across several functioning domains than the other groups.
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Access to Medicinal Marijuana
Medical marijuana is an alternative treatment for many conditions, such as pain, nausea, loss of appetite, glaucoma, spasticity and other illnesses. Many people seek medicinal marijuana because they have intolerable side effects of medication or are concerned about the long-term risks associated with other conventional treatments.
If you are a Virginia marijuana card holder, you can access marijuana with higher potency levels than what is sold to recreational users in your state. This means that you can treat your symptoms with greater ease and comfort.
Another benefit of having a card is getting faster service at dispensaries. The state supplies products to dispensaries that serve medical patients before they provide the product to recreational users, meaning that you will get express service and be able to purchase your medicine sooner than if you did not have a medical marijuana card.
If you are a patient, you can also enjoy lower prices at dispensaries. This is because you will not be paying taxes on your marijuana, which can add up quickly.
Lower Prices
The cost of marijuana can vary based on several factors, including local supply, state taxes and government regulations. However, medical marijuana patients pay lower prices on average because of their unique benefits.
A patient has muscular dystrophy and uses cannabis to help relieve painful muscle spasms. Since the state legalized cannabis in 2014, the patient has been buying street weed because it is far cheaper than purchasing through the official program.
In many states, recreational users are charged higher taxes for their cannabis products than cardholders. The extra cost comes from excise and sales taxes, which can be significant. Cardholders, however, are exempt from these taxes.
Some states also restrict how much recreational customers can buy, whereas medical marijuana patients can purchase up to a 30-day supply of permitted cannabis. This includes cannabis flowers, edibles and concentrates. In addition, cardholders get priority in dispensaries and are guaranteed stock. They can also grow their plants at home in some states – which is not an option for recreational customers.
No Taxes
Many states have lowered or completely waived taxes on marijuana for medical card holders. Recreational users pay so-called sin tax rates ranging from 20% to 37%, which adds up quickly. In many cases, the cost of a medical cannabis card pays for itself with just the amount saved in taxes alone.
Furthermore, some dispensaries will give priority service to medical marijuana cardholders in case of a shortage. This may be helpful for those with busy schedules or patients who don’t want to drive long distances.
In addition, cardholders often get to grow more plants at home. This can make a huge difference in terms of supply and price.
Access to Exclusive Medical Dispensaries
A medical marijuana card gives you access to dispensaries that cater exclusively to medical patients. These dispensaries offer bigger discounts and loyalty programs to save money. These savings will make up for the cost of your medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana is also often sold in bulk, which means you can save even more. Whether in the form of edibles, oil, or flowers, you’ll have access to better prices and larger quantities with your card.
You’ll also have higher purchase and possession limits than recreational users. For example, in New York, you can have up to eight ounces of cannabis. That’s twice as much as what recreational users can buy.
Another benefit of being a medical marijuana patient is that your card may protect you in the event of a workplace drug test. Many companies have strict policies on drug use and will fire employees who test positive for marijuana. This can be a real issue for people who need to use cannabis to treat their condition.
No Age Limit
Many assume you must be 21 or older to become a medical marijuana patient. However, some states allow people to become a medical marijuana patients before they turn 21, and some even provide telemedicine health evaluations for minors who qualify.
In addition, there is no age limit on who can serve as a patient’s caregiver, which means that people under 18 can also get a medical card and have access to cannabis. However, it’s important to note that children under 18 must be approved by two physicians and prove that other treatments have failed.
Medical card holders can also be guaranteed stock at dispensaries and have higher possession limits than recreational users. Additionally, some states offer marijuana reciprocity for people with cards, which means you can travel and buy medical marijuana in any form that legalizes it. However, this benefit does not extend to employers or hotel managers, who can still prohibit the use of marijuana on their properties. For this reason, it’s best to avoid consuming cannabis at work or in public places like parks and restaurants.
