As soon as residents hear that their state is moving toward recreational legalization, there is something of a celebration. Then comes the inevitable question: if my state has legalized recreational cannabis, and I can just walk into any dispensary, why should I keep my medical card?
There are costs associated with maintaining a valid medical marijuana card. You have the cost of your certification evaluation with a physician, and then annual follow-up appointments are required. Then, there is the annual registration fee that the state requires to remain in the program.
We all like to save money, but there are real benefits for patients to remain in the medical marijuana program after their state legalizes adult use. If you have been a registered medical marijuana cardholder for a long time, learn more about the advantages your card provides.
Should You Keep Your Medcard if Your State Legalizes Recreational Use?
If you are thinking about giving up your medical card after your state goes recreational, there are some things to consider. It is true that you will not need a medical card to purchase cannabis once recreational dispensaries are open. However, there are privileges, savings, and legal protections that medical cannabis patients have that recreational users will not.
Here are some of the benefits of a medical marijuana card to consider:
1. Access to Cannabis Products With Higher Potency Levels
In a few states, patients with a medical cannabis card can purchase products that have higher potency levels than recreational users are permitted to buy or use. When you consider that the average potency of illicit cannabis in the 1970s was around 7%, the potency range of 15% to 25% at most medical dispensaries is typically high enough to assist with symptom management.
Cannabis concentrates are also available to patients who have moderate to severe symptoms. Concentrates should be used only under the direction of a medical professional. Some studies suggest that long-term misuse of cannabis concentrates can cause adverse health effects.
Some states have a strict THC potency cap, but for patients with severe medical symptoms, that limitation can be removed under exceptional circumstances. If you are a recreational marijuana user, you are restricted to the potency cap established by your state.
2. Increased Monthly Purchase Limits for Cannabis Products
As a matter of public safety, all states that have legalized adult use (recreational) cannabis have placed both purchase and possession limits. Some people feel that cannabis should be treated like alcohol and purchase limits determined by the individuals themselves, but lawmakers prefer to place restrictions to help protect public safety.
Medical marijuana cardholders also have maximum purchase limits, but they are typically higher in terms of quantity than recreational users are permitted to buy. If the purchase limit is not sufficient for the patient, they can take steps to request higher possession limits. But those are rarely granted and usually only considered for those receiving compassionate care (terminally ill patients).
Making Your Monthly Limit Last
It is important for medical marijuana patients to budget their cannabis use so that they have sufficient amounts for the month. Some patients do this by purchasing on a weekly basis only, while others purchase their maximum amount and monitor their use so that they do not run out before they are permitted to buy more.
Dispensaries track sales to ensure that no one is purchasing in excess of the legal sales limit. If you run out of cannabis, regardless of whether you are a medicinal or recreational user, you will have to wait until the following month to purchase more products.
3. Cost Savings Through Medical Tax Exemptions
Lawmakers in every state would prefer, in most cases, that people use medicinal cannabis. That is because any medical marijuana program requires a physician to certify the patient. That means an initial health check to make sure that cannabis use is safe for the individual.
With recreational users, anyone over the age of twenty-one (21) years can enter a dispensary with valid photo identification and purchase products. This is one of the sticking points for states when recreational legalization is discussed: how many people will use cannabis who may not be aware that they have a health condition or medication conflict that may cause adverse effects.
Excise taxes are often added to every purchase that recreational users make. That can take the form of an additional 10% to 20% tax on purchases and community taxes (subject to the municipality where the dispensary is located). The extra taxes add up quickly and make recreational use more expensive.
The funds from recreational use excise taxes fund addiction research, support programs, and the administration of both medical marijuana and recreational use programs. Patients who have a medical marijuana card are generally exempt from excise taxes to keep it more affordable for them.
4. Higher Possession Limits
Some states have made it legal for recreational and medicinal users to grow their own cannabis plants at home. In both cases, the number of seedlings and mature plants, as well as ounces of cannabis flower you can possess, are regulated.
Recreational users in all states have lower possession limits because lawmakers view adult use as occasional and not required on a daily basis. Medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess larger amounts of cannabis at home. Each state varies on the maximum number of ounces of cannabis flower and maximum milligrams for other types of products, such as edibles or concentrates.
Some patients may need to use medical cannabis on a daily basis. To accommodate patients with moderate to severe symptoms, those who have a medical card are permitted to possess higher quantities compared to recreational users.
If you live in a state that has legalized recreational marijuana, and you are found with more cannabis than permitted by law, you can face criminal charges. The same thing holds true for medical cannabis patients. Know your maximum limit for cannabis goods to avoid issues.
5. Access to Medical Cannabis Earlier
One of the things that all states that have legalized recreational marijuana have in common is the age at which residents can purchase cannabis. You must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older to enter, purchase, and possess cannabis by law.
People with qualifying conditions can apply for a medical card independently at age eighteen (18). Patients who are minors and under the age of eighteen may still qualify for medical cannabis with the registration of a parent or guardian caregiver.
Pediatric care patients are typically qualified for low-THC products only, under 10% potency. Cannabis can affect cognitive development, and there are other health concerns that warrant low-THC products for patients with severe epilepsy, cachexia, spasticity, and other conditions.
6. Other State Medical Cannabis Programs May Accept Your Card
Nothing is better than packing up the suitcases and heading to explore another state. But when you use medical cannabis, there are some additional considerations. If you are traveling to a state where medical or recreational marijuana is not legalized, you may find yourself unable to purchase products.
Since many people are nervous about interstate travel while possessing cannabis and the legal problems that can arise from that, some states have created reciprocity agreements. What that means is that select states may accept your medical card, even if you are not a state resident.
When visiting a reciprocal state, medical marijuana users can expect the same treatment at a medical dispensary. You can save tax on medicinal purchases compared to the extra costs associated with recreational marijuana.
Cannabis Reciprocity Means the Same Legal Protection You Enjoy at Home
The most important thing to remember about cannabis reciprocity is that states that provide it also extend the same legal protection to patients. That means you can purchase, possess, and use medical cannabis in private residences or approved locations, just like any other patient living in that state.
Remember to familiarize yourself with state laws before you travel, and you can contact the state cannabis program directly if you have any questions or concerns. Get our updated list of states with legalized marijuana, and prepare before you travel.
7. Expert Care and Advice from a Cannabis Healthcare Provider
There is something really wonderful about visiting the same doctor any time you need medical advice. Some of the benefits of a medical cannabis practitioner include knowledge about using medical marijuana to help with common symptoms.
Historically, physicians received little to no training in holistic or alternative therapies, including medical cannabis. Medical patients who return to the same physician develop a close relationship where the medical marijuana doctor can help them track their progress.
As we all age, we may need to start taking prescription medications. Cannabis is one of many controlled substances that can interact with prescription drugs. Medical marijuana card holders can schedule an appointment with a trusted provider to check for medication conflicts. Patients can also learn about different intake methods, potencies, and minor cannabinoids that may help them get better results.
8. Guaranteed Reserve Inventory of Medical Cannabis Products
States that have legalized medical and recreational marijuana also give priority to patients in terms of supply and demand. For example, during the COVID-19 epidemic, recreational dispensaries were forced to close as they were a non-essential service. Medical dispensaries, however, were permitted to stay open, like doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
Dispensaries are required to reserve quantities of medical cannabis for patients. When demand exceeds supply, patients can be assured that their products will be available. Recreational marijuana users are not provided the same legal concession.
Is There a Difference Between Medical and Recreational Dispensaries?
They may look the same and carry most of the same basic cannabis products, but when you are a patient, there are many benefits to visiting your local licensed medical marijuana dispensary compared to a recreational smoke shop.
You are more likely to find strains of cannabis with higher minor cannabinoid content in medical dispensaries. The intentions of recreational users are quite different than those of patients who are using cannabis to improve symptom management.
What is the Focus of Recreational Cannabis Dispensaries?
Many recreational dispensaries focus on what their customers are looking for: the highest potency cannabis products and novelty snacks and beverages. However, a medical cannabis dispensary is focused on strains that offer the best potential therapeutic benefits for their patients.
The experience of going into a dispensary that only provides recreational use products is different, too. Cue the Bob Marley music and neon signs; some can feel more like a social spot or cannabis cafe. Visiting an adult-use dispensary is interesting, but it may not suit your wellness needs.
At recreational dispensaries, you will find budtenders who are very knowledgeable about popular strains and who can share the potency and possibly psychoactive effects. However, their knowledge about symptom management is often minimal to none. Health is not usually the focus of a recreational dispensary.
Medical Dispensaries Are Focused on Wellness
Medical dispensaries have one focus: helping patients find products that help them reduce pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, symptoms of depression, and much more. The selection of products is patient care focused at a medical dispensary, and the support and advice you get from medical budtenders are valuable as you navigate to find the best products for your needs.
In states that have legalized both recreational and medical use, there may be some dispensaries that cater to both types of consumers. Dispensaries must apply to sell adult-use products if they are already an established medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC), but the overall experience and atmosphere may lean more toward medicinal use and individualized care for patients.
How Recreational Legalization Can Benefit Medical Patients
With more competition comes better prices in most states that have legalized recreational cannabis use. That is because multi-state cannabis dispensaries often enter once a state has legalized recreational use. Medical and recreational marijuana prices may be similar but may not be the same. Discounting is more often applied to help make medical cannabis more affordable for patients.
In some states, prices fell within a year after recreational cannabis was legalized for patients. Another benefit is broader product selection. Some medical dispensaries may become licensed to serve both adult users and patients. That means more products to choose from when you visit a hybrid dispensary.
For most patients, adding up the advantages and the sales tax exemptions makes the decision to keep their medical card a no-brainer. Make sure you are subscribed to the DocMJ newsletter to get exclusive monthly discounts provided by medical dispensaries in your state.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.