Is cannabis legal in your state? If yes, then you are fortunate enough to have cannabis as an option of medical treatment. This development is proof that the once tainted image of marijuana has now been given a makeover as a therapeutic drug. Of the 33 US states that have legalized cannabis, California belongs to the group of states that has not only allowed medical cannabis but is also tolerant of recreational cannabis. With such flexibility towards marijuana, the need for a medical cannabis card raises a lot of questions.
If you are 21 years or above and have a state-issued ID proof, there isn’t anyone who is going to stop you from buying or using cannabis. After all, it’s completely legal. So why apply for a medical card?
That’s something we are going to dive into today.
You have a license that proves your eligibility to drive a car. Similarly, a medical card registers you as a medical cannabis consumer and stands as proof of the same. It completely abides by the state laws and gives you more freedom with cannabis.
A medical card is not something that can be owned by every cannabis consumer. There are certain qualifying conditions that have to be fulfilled to be eligible to own a medical card. Every state has different qualifications according to the medical marijuana program they follow. In California, the list is more flexible and incorporates many health conditions. This allows a larger fraction of the patient community to try cannabis treatment for their ailment.
Now addressing the main question- why do you need a medical card? Well, if you enjoy perks and special treatment, then why wouldn’t you?
In comparison to adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis enjoys certain privileges that can only be exercised with a medical card. Let’s take a look at a few.
It’s important to understand the legalities that surround cannabis because it’s not as simple as black and white. States can form their own laws that may or may not clash with that of the federal government. In the case of cannabis, there’s indifference among the state and federal laws. While the states deem cannabis as legal, the federal government hasn’t yet decriminalized it. So yes, you still have a slight chance of getting arrested if found with cannabis. Even on the state level, marijuana laws are strict and can lead to legal persecution if not followed.
For medical cannabis, such risk factors are lower than recreational cannabis. A medical card owner gets peace of mind and protection from such legal issues. In addition to this, a medical card also gives you special perks with laws of driving and flying with cannabis.
Medicines are a necessity that cannot be skipped at any cost. And medical bills are not a cheap affair. Cannabis is also a medicine for many people across the US. But, just like every other commodity, cannabis is also subjected to a number of state taxes that can raise the final bill by a couple of dollars. Considering the fact that not many insurers include medical cannabis in health insurance, regular purchase of cannabis can be financially draining for some.
This is where a medical card can be advantageous. If you buy your cannabis products from legal sources, a medical card will exempt you from paying any sales and use tax. In terms of savings, we are talking of up to 35 percent savings than recreational cannabis. That’ll surely help as some sort of financial relief.
Despite the legalization of cannabis on a state level, rules and regulations govern cannabis use across the states. Cannabis is subjected to certain limitations that are different for recreational and medical consumers. And the latter shares privileges here as well.
In California, an adult of 21 years and above can legally use cannabis without a card. However, the age restriction is lowered to 18 years for medical cannabis. In fact, if a person below the age of 18 needs medical cannabis, he or she can do so with a doctor’s recommendation and a caregiver (21 years or above).
The possession limit restricts an individual to only have a certain amount at a time. For adult use cannabis the limit is set at 1 ounce of cannabis and 1000 mg of THC per packet. For a registered medical cannabis consumer, the limit is raised to 8 ounces of cannabis and 2000mg THC per packet.
California marijuana laws also set up a limit for growing cannabis. While recreational cannabis has a limit of 6 plants at a time, medical cannabis consumers can grow up to 100 square feet of cannabis if needed. And growing cannabis at home is a money-saving tactic in itself.
Recreational cannabis is also restricted by a potency limit. This law keeps many products and strains out of reach for recreational consumers. But a cannabis card opens doors to these restrictions. With a medical card, you can access high THC cannabis products easily.
Similarly, not all dispensaries are open to recreational cannabis which leaves a large percentage of sources out of reach for non-registered patients. Only a legit medical card can help you have access to more than 1000 dispensaries in California.
Presently, the time calls for everyone to maintain low exposure to potentially infectious areas and people. So visiting a medical marijuana doctor can be a tough call for many, especially, patients who stand at a vulnerable position of the health crisis. While the medical clinics are open for an examination of patients and are overly cautious of every safety precaution, you can always choose telemedicine as an alternative. Online medical clinics are just as satisfactory as walk-in clinics.
Your medical marijuana evaluation is conducted by a licensed doctor on a video call. The entire process takes about a few minutes and you receive an email of your recommendation and a hard copy too based on preference. And all this while staying in the safety of your home.
So if you were on the fence about whether or not you should get a medical marijuana card, I hope now you realize that it only adds an advantage to your cannabis experience. So getting one is only a wise choice.
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