The Pros and Cons of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card – 2023

After seeing the numerous scientific reports regarding cannabis’ therapeutic potential, many states offer medical marijuana cards to treat various symptoms, including chronic pain, depression, or adverse effects of cancer. But still, public opinion on the benefits of medical marijuana cards and their ability to be used in patient care varies.

Public opinion significantly varies in states that offer both medical and recreational use of marijuana, which tends to confuse when deciding whether it is still worth getting a medical marijuana card.

People on edge about obtaining medical marijuana cards or want to learn more about its pros and cons, we’ve got you covered. Below you will find the consequences of getting a medical card or the positive and negative aspects of a medical marijuana card.

Benefits Of Getting A Medical Marijuana Card

There are numerous reasons to get a medical card, even if you live in a state where recreational marijuana is legal. Getting a medical marijuana card has excellent benefits, from legal protection to paying less for your medication. Some benefits of having a medical card are:

Offers Protection

Legal protection is one of the most obvious reasons to get a medical marijuana card. This reason is especially relevant in states that don’t allow the recreational use of marijuana. In these states, being caught consuming or possessing marijuana without a medical marijuana card can lead to hefty fines or imprisonment. While having medical marijuana card, if a law officer stops you for possession and consumption of marijuana, you will not face any legal consequences. Medical marijuana cards can be beneficial to avoid severe legal penalties.

Helps You To Save Money

Since recreational marijuana is taxed at a higher rate, medical marijuana cardholders often pay less or are even exempted in some cases. Recreational use includes an additional excise and retail tax, which can add up to over 20 to 30% of taxes on each purchase. Medical marijuana cardholders may be exempt from paying these taxes, saving them hundreds of dollars on every purchase.

Higher Possession Limits

In states with medical marijuana programs, patients are allotted a larger possession, purchase and consumption limit than recreational users. In some states, recreational use remains illegal, and getting caught with cannabis could result in jail or massive fines.

For instance, Arizona states allow medical possession of marijuana up to 2.5 ounces and recreational possession up to 1 ounce. In New York, patients can possess up to a 60-day supply, and recreational users can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana + 24 grams of concentrates.

Higher Growing Limits

Some states strictly only offer cannabis home cultivation to medical marijuana card holders. Depending on your state marijuana law, if you’re a medical marijuana patient, generally, you are legally permitted to grow more cannabis plants than recreational users.

A great example is California. Recreational users in california may grow up to six plants. Medical cannabis patients have no growing maximums. Instead, they can grow the amount they need to treat their illness. In Oklahoma, Medical cannabis patients may grow up to six mature and six seedlings of cannabis plants at their residences. Without a medical marijuana card, you can not grow or cultivate cannabis plants.

Lower Age Restriction

In many states, minors can participate in the medical marijuana program with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Minors taking part in the medical marijuana program must always register at least one caregiver on their behalf. Depending on the state, a caregiver can educate, grow, buy, and transport cannabis to the patient. In many states, recreational users must be 21 years or older to use marijuana to get high.

Downside Of Getting A Medical Marijuana Card

We’ve gone over some of the great benefits of medical marijuana cards, so now, let’s explore some possible negatives of having a medical marijuana card.

Cannot Own a Firearm

Restrictions on firearms are one of the main reasons people hesitate to leverage the cannabis card benefits. In the United States, the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) restrict medical marijuana patients from purchasing firearms. People find this restriction one of the most considerable consequences of getting a medical card.

Remember that this firearm restriction only applies to medical marijuana patients trying to purchase new firearms. Cardholders may keep the firearms that they had before getting their medical marijuana card if they continue to obey all other firearm laws.

Driving Restrictions

You cannot have a commercial driver’s license if you have a medical marijuana card because the Department of Transportation (DOT) restricts any type of marijuana, even if it’s allowed in their respective state.

Impaired driving while under the influence of marijuana is illegal across America. Anyone under the influence of marijuana is also restricted from using a Commercial Driving License (CDL). Some states have outright banned any marijuana from being detected in the blood of drivers. Still, states like Nevada have defined the legal limit of allowable marijuana in the blood.

Annual Renewal Fees

In most medical cannabis states, patients must renew their medical marijuana card yearly. After completing its validity, you must get another recommendation from your doctor, apply, and pay the license fees. Even though renewing your card won’t cost you much, it can get annoying. If you don’t renew your card, you’ll risk losing the cannabis card benefits. For affordable rates, contact My MMJ Doctor. We offer legitimate medical marijuana recommendation letters at the most affordable rates in the market.

Should We Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

Marijuana is a natural remedy for many physical and mental illnesses. It’s scientifically proven. Millions of Americans are using medical marijuana cards to treat their medical conditions. Americans’ trust in medical marijuana cards means the benefits are more extravaganza than the drawbacks.

However, the pros and cons of medical marijuana card depend on the state where you live, but for most states, we can expect to see the same benefits. Even if marijuana is entirely legal in your state, it is still beneficial to get a medical marijuana card. Those with medical marijuana cards have many benefits that recreational users do not receive.

Medical marijuana cardholders get priority service in weed dispensaries and are guaranteed stock in certain states. Recreational users cannot reserve cannabis products, unlike those who have a medical marijuana card. However, having a medical marijuana card adds to the legitimacy and credibility of those who use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Bottom Line

There is not a single reason to get a medical card. There are many reasons. If you’d like to know more about the consequences of getting a medical card and are interested in obtaining a medical marijuana card, My MMJ Doctor can help. Our goal is to offer you reliable medical marijuana card services available anywhere. We offer risk-free appointments; if you don’t qualify for medical marijuana, you don’t have to pay!