While medical and recreational weed both come from the cannabis plant, there are several differences between the two. These include cost and potency.
Recreational marijuana is used for enjoyment and social purposes and does not have medical justification. It is consumed for its mood-altering effects and high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
Cost
Generally, medical cannabis prices are lower than recreational marijuana prices. This is because states often impose sales taxes on recreational marijuana products while exempting medical marijuana from those same taxes. In addition, some dispensaries offer a discount for patients, which can be quite significant in terms of savings.
Those who have a medical cannabis card also enjoy other advantages. For instance, they can purchase a larger quantity of products at a time than those who do not have a medical card. They may also have access to a wider variety of strains. Furthermore, some states will allow patients to use any dispensary in the form, while others may require that a patient visit their home dispensary.
Finally, in some cases, patients can even grow their cannabis plants. The exact laws vary from state to state, but they usually allow patients to grow up to six plants per household.
Medical cannabis is a safe and effective treatment for several conditions, including chronic pain, seizures, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. It is available in various forms, from flowers and edibles to vape juice and topicals. Obtaining a medical marijuana card can be lengthy, but it is worth it for those suffering from severe or debilitating symptoms.
Accessibility
A medical cannabis card gives you access to a wider selection of marijuana products. This includes more high-quality strains and products with lower THC potency. It also allows you to purchase a larger quantity than recreational consumers. You can even use your medical card to get discounts on edibles and other accessories.
In addition, your medical card lets you pay lower taxes than recreational users. Recreational customers must pay a 15% excise tax, while medical marijuana is exempt from this tax. This can save you thousands of dollars throughout the year!
To qualify for a medical marijuana card, you must meet your state’s requirements. Typically, it would help if you were diagnosed with one of the conditions on the list and provided written documentation from your doctor confirming that you would gain palliative benefits from medical cannabis. Depending on your state, you may also need to provide additional documents as proof of residency.
To start the process, sign up for your state’s medical marijuana program. This usually includes creating an account to upload your doctor’s certification and medical records. Once you have done this, you can visit a dispensary and purchase your medicine. You may have to show your ID to buy cannabis, depending on your state’s laws. Some states allow you to use your state-issued driver’s license or passport, while others only require a utility bill or bank statement.
Taxes
When you have a medical marijuana card, you pay lower taxes on your cannabis purchases. You also have access to discounts and other incentives exclusive to cardholders. This will save you money all year long. Plus, if you are purchasing cannabis regularly, having a medical card will pay for itself in the savings on the costs of your marijuana purchases alone.
Medical marijuana is available in 36 states and the District of Columbia. To qualify for a medical marijuana card, you must have a doctor’s recommendation from an authorized practitioner. Your practitioner must certify that you may benefit from medical marijuana to treat a debilitating medical condition.
In addition to removing state-level criminal penalties for possessing medical marijuana, the New York law allows patients to purchase up to an ounce of product from a licensed dispensary or grow up to six plants at home. It also removes the need to designate primary caregivers if you are under 18.
Recreational cannabis, on the other hand, is only legal in states with specific laws allowing its sale and consumption. It is usually taxed at so-called “sin taxes” of 20% to 35% and higher, similar to those charged on alcohol. Unlike medical marijuana, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of recreational cannabis.
Safety
A medical marijuana card allows a patient to purchase and consume cannabis that a physician prescribes to treat a qualifying condition. Recreational marijuana is cannabis that is marketed and sold for enjoyment. This type of marijuana is typically taxed more heavily than medicinal weed, resulting in higher prices. The amount of weed that medical and recreational customers can buy simultaneously varies between states. Medical consumers must follow the laws set by their state, while recreational users do not.
Most states require that a person possessing or consuming cannabis for medicinal purposes have a medical marijuana card to be legally exempt from criminal prosecution. Some states, such as California, allow patients to obtain a medical card by visiting a registered doctor to recommend the medicine. These doctors are known as practitioners, and the state regulates them.
In addition, many states have regulations that protect the privacy of patients. For example, a patient’s name and address are not public in New York. In addition, a practitioner can only give a patient a certification that includes a Registry ID number to purchase medical cannabis at licensed dispensaries. This ID will only be valid for one year. Employers cannot fire or discriminate against a worker who uses cannabis for medical reasons unless it interferes with their job.
