A medical marijuana card is a physician’s stamp of approval that allows you to possess, cultivate, and purchase cannabis. In many states, people with cards enjoy lower sales taxes than recreational users.
Medical marijuana is safe, a natural treatment that’s nearly impossible to overdose on and less addictive than opioids. However, there are more benefits to having a card than access to weed.
Legal Protection
A medical marijuana card can protect you from legal trouble if caught with cannabis. This is especially true in states where marijuana is still federally illegal for recreational use but has legalized it for medical purposes.
In addition to legal protection, having a medical marijuana card in Alabama will save you money on cannabis products. Recreational marijuana users must pay taxes on their purchases, which can increase over time. Medical marijuana patients are exempt from paying these taxes and often receive discounts from dispensaries.
In addition, if you are a medical marijuana patient, your information is protected by HIPAA regulations, which means that only those with your written permission can access your records. This helps ensure that your medical provider gets the best care possible for you. The information is also protected from outside parties such as insurance companies and employers.
Access to Dispensaries
A medical marijuana card allows you to bypass long lines at dispensaries and receive priority access. This can be especially helpful during critical shortages when cannabis supplies are limited.
Marijuana is a powerful medicine that can ease pain, control nausea and vomiting, stimulate appetite, alleviate suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s, and relieve glaucoma symptoms by decreasing pressure inside the eye. It can even reduce the need for other medications, like NSAIDs or opioids.
Patients can purchase medical marijuana at registered dispensaries throughout the State. Each registered organization provides products that meet the highest standards, including rigorous testing for quality and safety. They also offer cannabis delivery services and sell seeds or plants for home cultivation. Patients can also designate caregivers to help them acquire and administer medical marijuana, though these individuals must be registered with the program.
Cost Savings
Obtaining a medical marijuana card can save you money in the long run. Many states lower or exempt state excise taxes on marijuana purchased by cardholders, which can amount to savings of 5-10% (or more) over recreational customers.
These savings are beneficial as more and more states legalize cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. However, recreational marijuana is still not covered by most health insurance.
Those without health insurance can still benefit from being a cardholder. While the annual registration fee for a medical card may seem significant, the cost can be offset by the amount of money you’ll save on every purchase.
If you have a medical condition that qualifies for treatment with marijuana, getting certified is worth it. Patients can receive an initial medical marijuana evaluation, a telehealth platform dedicated to making the process as simple and easy as possible. Get your medical marijuana evaluation in minutes and only be billed if approved.
More Treatment Options
Cannabis is an excellent treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. Some examples include PTSD, glaucoma, nausea, and weight loss from HIV medications. It is also widely used to ease pain associated with AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and cancer treatments (including chemotherapy).
Marijuana can be taken orally, topically, or through an inhaler. It is also available in various forms, including tinctures and edibles. It is a good choice for chronic pain that degrades health and function, as it is safer than opioids and less sedating.
Medical marijuana users are exempt from recreational state taxes, which can save them hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year! Additionally, they can grow a much more significant amount of marijuana than recreational users. In some states, for example, cardholders are allowed to grow up to 99 plants – which could mean a huge difference in their supply of medical marijuana.
Relief for Medical Conditions
Like many states, the medical marijuana program allows a recommending physician to recommend cannabis to patients who suffer from qualifying conditions. These include cancer, HIV infection or AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury with spasticity, epilepsy, neuropathy, PTSD, and pain that degrades health and functional capability as an alternative to opioids.
Once patients have a medical marijuana card, they can avoid paying high retail and excise taxes. This can save them 5-10% or more on every purchase.
As medical and recreational marijuana continues to become more legal, patients with serious ailments need to understand the benefits of obtaining a medical marijuana card in their state. A card can provide them with legal protection, cost savings, varied treatment options, and personalized treatment plans.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Having a medical marijuana card in states where it’s legal for medicinal use can give you access to various strains and products. When you consult a qualified physician, they can help you find the right product for your symptoms.
In addition, your doctor can provide education and guidance on adequately consuming cannabis and its effects. They will also check in with you periodically to ensure your treatment plan works and make any necessary adjustments.
To qualify for a medical marijuana card, you must have a debilitating condition from which you experience severe or persistent chronic pain. Some qualifying conditions include nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy, spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis, or sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.
