California is no stranger to leading the charge on cannabis legalization. Recreational marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older in California, yet there are still plenty of worthwhile benefits to obtaining a California Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC). For patients suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, cancer, epilepsy, or any number of qualifying conditions, a card can make access to medical cannabis far easier, less expensive, and more legally safe.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the benefits of obtaining a California medical marijuana card, from savings to higher possession limits, to determine whether you should apply for a California MMIC in furtherance of your health and well-being.
Tax Savings on Cannabis Purchases
One of the most prominent financial benefits of a California medical marijuana card is that holders are exempt from state sales and use tax. Recreational cannabis users pay a lot of taxes at dispensaries, including excise taxes, cultivation taxes, and local taxes. For patients treating their medical condition with cannabis, this can become quite costly where cannabis is used as a daily medicine.
Example: A recreational customer would spend $100 at a dispensary, but would end of paying $120 or more after taxes. A medical cardholder may receive 10–15% or more of each purchase.
Over the course of a year, those who continually use cannabis could save themselves hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars simply by showing their MMIC at checkout.
Access to Higher Potency Products
California dispensaries typically have potency limitations on recreational cannabis products, but medical users are able to buy higher-strength products.
Medical users have access to edibles that have higher THC restrictions, which could be medically necessary for individuals experiencing severe pain, nausea, and insomnia.
This allows patients to get effective relief without needing to consume larger amounts of lower-potency products.
As an example, while recreational edibles are limited to 10mg per serving and 100mg per package, medical patients can legally purchase higher-strength products in bulk.
Higher Purchase and Possession Limits
In California, recreational users of cannabis are allowed:
- 1 ounce (28.5 grams) of cannabis flower, or
- 8 grams of cannabis concentrate at one time.
Patients who have a medical marijuana card can legally obtain and possess larger amounts:
- Up to 8 ounces of cannabis,
- And more concentrated if authorized by their doctor to do so.
This is important for patients who may not be able to visit dispensaries with frequency because of their health condition, travel issues, and/or finances. They can stock up, legally, and never worry about violating possession limits.
Reduced Age Restrictions
In California, recreational cannabis is limited to adults 21 and over. However, medical marijuana is available for patients who are 18 and older who have a valid medical recommendation and MMIC. This gives young adults access to cannabis legally when managing serious and complex medical conditions, such as epilepsy, cancer, and severe anxiety.
If a patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian can obtain a card on their behalf to ensure children with qualifying conditions can safely access medical cannabis under the supervision of their parent or legal guardian.
Stronger Legal Protections
California has made cannabis legalization a priority. Medical cardholders have some additional protections under state law.
- Employment and Housing: There isn’t an absolute protection, but having a medical marijuana card may provide some additional legal support from the start if cannabis use becomes an issue at work or in housing.
- Law Enforcement: If you are a patient, it is likely that a medical marijuana card indicates more protection from law enforcement from miscommunications because your usage was over recreational limits, but still within a legal medical limit.
Access to a Wider Range of Dispensaries and Products
In California, some dispensaries are medical-only and do not allow recreational buyers to enter the store. If a patient has a medical card, they will be able to purchase something from these stores, which often represent unique product lines developed specifically from a therapeutic perspective.
This also allows for the possibility that staff are more aware of medical cannabis considerations and guidance for the patient to make an informed decision for their strain, dosage, and method of delivery.
Eligibility for Cultivation Rights
In California, medical marijuana cardholders can grow more cannabis plants than recreational users.
- Recreational users can grow six plants, regardless of how many roommates take part in the harvest (household limit).
- Medical marijuana cardholders can request permission to grow as many as 12 plants–or more if recommended by their physician, and are consistent with local ordinances.
While this matters for all patients/prospective patients who would prefer to grow their own medicine, this is a huge added benefit to those interested in money savings, and taking the quality control process into their own hands instead of the dispensary.
Improved Travel Flexibility Within California
Traveling with cannabis can be complicated, overall, and even in California. Medical marijuana patients can typically transport their medicine in more situations than recreational users. Patients can travel with their medication, much like opioids, and as long as they are used inside state lines and in amounts suitable for medical use, better legal protections are attached.
Having a medical card can also make it much easier to explain cannabis possession in the event of police contact while traveling.
More Accurate Medical Guidance
Medical cannabis cardholders typically go through a consultation with a licensed physician or telehealth provider. A proper appointment ensures that a patient receives:
- Legitimate medical evaluation of their presenting condition.
- Engagement with product knowledge and dosing methods related to dosing, strains, and the method of delivery pertaining to their health needs.
- Medical oversight allows patients to avoid the trial-and-error and protects against ineffectiveness, ensuring a safer, more successful cannabis treatment plan.
Priority During Cannabis Shortages
Cannabis shortages or supply disruptions can happen, though infrequently, for dispensaries. Since patients are given priority for product availability, cannabis patients can often access the available products.
Dispensaries understand patients are using cannabis to manage their health conditions and not just for recreation.
Having a medical card will usually ensure access to the medicine you need, even when demand sits at peak levels from everyone attempting to access the same product.
Access to Specialized Medical Cannabis Products
Some products are produced solely for medical purposes, such as higher-dose tinctures, topicals, and capsules, which are unavailable to recreational customers. These products are targeted at providing medical relief, and may produce more desirable results than the recreational products for specific conditions such as:
- Chronic pain
- Neurological disorders
- Side effects of cancer treatment
- Autoimmune diseases
Telemedicine and Convenience
Through the expansion of telemedicine, obtaining a California medical marijuana card has never been simpler. Patients can now:
- Schedule virtual appointments,
- Receive recommendations from licensed physicians,
- And obtain their MMIC without long in-person examinations.
This is very useful for patients not only with mobility issues, but living in remote areas.
Stronger Community and Support
Being part of the medical cannabis community provides access to support groups and networks of patients that can share experiences and advice, as well as events, workshops, and resources around therapeutic cannabis use. This sense of community may help patients feel less isolated in their health journey and more empowered to explore medical cannabis as a rightful treatment option.
Insurance and Healthcare Acceptance (Future Potential)
At present, most insurance providers do not cover medical cannabis. However, a medical marijuana card does help to legitimize cannabis as a component in a patient’s treatment plan. The more that medical cannabis is integrated into a healthcare system, the more that cardholders may be among the first to get coverage from insurance or physician-directed care programs in the future.
Conclusion: Is a California Medical Marijuana Card Worth It?
While recreational cannabis is legal in California, there are more financial, legal and health benefits to obtaining a medical marijuana card. Medical marijuana can save patients tax dollars and allow for larger possession amounts. Medical marijuana patients can access medical-only products with higher concentration levels. Finally, medical marijuana dispensaries focus on patients, not customers, and that can make a difference for patients who depend on cannabis for a chronic health issue or ongoing treatment.
