Recently, medical cannabis has continued to gain momentum, and there are enough reasons to apply for the online medical marijuana card. For instance, imagine a patient experiencing excruciating pain with cancer symptoms, and not even opioids can relieve it. After a few studies found smoked marijuana to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy effectively, it would be ideal for getting this pain relief.
What is Marijuana?
You must have heard several names used to describe marijuana, such as cannabis, weed, pot, grass, hash, ganja, and many more. But someone may still wonder what this is? Generally, marijuana comes from dried buds and a variety of Cannabis sativa plant leaves. They usually grow as a wild plant, growing in a warm and tropical climate. Marijuana grows in many parts of the world, and people cultivate it for commercial use.
Marijuana has been in use for centuries in herbal remedies, and scientists have found several biologically active ingredients in cannabis called cannabinoids. Two of the studied components are the THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Currently, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) still considers marijuana and its products as Schedule I controlled substances. That means they are illegal under federal law, and anyone selling them gets in trouble.
The food and Drug Administration in the US hasn’t approved whole or crude marijuana for any medical use. However, many states have legalized the use of marijuana to treat some medical conditions. One of the conditions of accessing medical cannabis is to acquire an online medical marijuana card.
Why a person would get a medical marijuana card
There are a variety of benefits that you can get with a medical cannabis card. It’s a worthy investment considering the advantages it can give. But it also depends on your state and its mandate on marijuana taxation.
For instance, if you live in a state like Sacramento, you will get a medical cannabis card for $ 100. But guess what? You get a tax exemption of 8.2 percent, unlike when you’re buying recreational marijuana. Assume you’re getting an ounce of cannabis in a month at $ 200 an ounce; you’ll save $ 198 per year. Isn’t that a tremendous saving?
Again, most states give patients with a medical marijuana card a tax break. In Colorado, cardholders get a 15% tax exemption and another 10% off for retail cannabis. They try to make it affordable to the patients in need of this drug.
Who qualifies for a medical card?
A medical cannabis card is not available for everyone. But only those with qualifying medical conditions that each state stipulates can apply for an online medical marijuana card. A list of common debilitating conditions in most states includes cancer, epilepsy & seizure, PTSD, glaucoma, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and many more.
Sometimes, there may be other restrictions in different states. For instance, when you’re getting some medical cannabis in Michigan, you must have an ongoing problem with one of the ailments and have a genuine relationship with a doctor.
The other overlapping group requiring medical marijuana cards is those who need a ton of marijuana. While some consume cannabis once a month, some people require much more than that.
And for the states with a purchase limit, a medical card can give you a pass on this. If you live in Colorado, you get to purchase up to two ounces of marijuana per day. And a resident in California with a medical cannabis card can access up to eight ounces a day.
People who need tinctures or concentrates for their ailments must also apply for the online medical marijuana card. A medical dispensary can sell 2000 mg tinctures, while a non-medical dispensary can only sell 100mg tinctures.
Approved marijuana drugs
Only two pure drugs with medical use approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) US. These include:
Dronabinol (Marinol®)– It’s a form of gelatin capsule with delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It’s popular in treating cancer symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. And it also treats weight loss in patients who have AIDS.
Nabilone (Cesamet®)– This drug somehow works like THC, and it treats nausea and vomiting. It’s an oral synthetic cannabinoid that helps treat nausea and vomiting from effects of cancer chemotherapy when opinions have failed to work.
What you need before applying for a medical marijuana card
Now, it’s possible to apply for an online medical marijuana card, especially if your physician has submitted a form for you to fill. A qualifying patient must:
- Be a resident of the particular state they are applying from.
- Must have some of the debilitating conditions stipulated by the specific state laws.
- Must be over 18years old.
- Have proof to show you’re a residence, such as a National Identity card, driving license, or passport.
What are the steps of getting the MMJ?
- Ensure you have any of the medical conditions on the list
- Make a doctor’s appointment who is bold to talk to you about medical marijuana. He will examine you, advise you and prescribe the right medicines to cure or reduce your symptoms.
- Your physician also completes and fills the Physician Written Certification Form and gives it to you or sends it directly. While there are some states, who accept online consultation, others insist on an in-person examination.
- If you’re a caregiver, you will have to get the Patient’s Authorization Form and a license number which the patient receives after their application’s approval.
Advantages of getting an MMJ card
Saves you money
When recreational cannabis got legalized, all the retail marijuana products got an increase in sales tax. But for those who got a medical cannabis card got a tax exemption from 8-15 percent. That was quite considerable for the patients who require the drug regularly. So, getting an online medical marijuana card will save you some thousands of dollars more than a person without one. Fortunately, medical marijuana can help patients battling ALS disease and make life easier for them.
Legal protection
Since some patients might worry if they can get implicated for possessing medical cannabis, they need to know they’re protected. The states that have legalized marijuana have special laws that protect the holders of MMJ. For instance, according to proposition 215 in California, patients and caregivers possessing marijuana formed treatment and recommend the criminal law physician. Otherwise, they are the same that prohibit possession of cannabis to those who do not qualify.
Higher limits
Most states have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use. A patient with an MMJ card can access more ounces of marijuana than a person getting recreational cannabis. A good example is California. If you have a medical cannabis card, you can access up to 8 ounces of marijuana in a day, while you only get 1 ounce for recreational use. In Nevada, MMJ holders can get 2.5 ounces, while the recreational user gets only 1 ounce.
And it applies the same with cultivation; an MMJ holder can get higher quantities if they want to grow this plant.
In Conclusion, if you’re medically or fiscally driven, then it’s vital to get an online medical marijuana card. It will make a lot of difference in your life. And if you’re wondering if it’s worth it and you fall in the mentioned category, then it’s beneficial. You can’t afford to overlook its significant benefits.
