What Are the Pros & Cons of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card?

If you’re on the fence about obtaining your medical marijuana card, or simply want to learn more about the pros and cons, we’ve got you covered. Below you will find an outline of the positive and negative aspects that come with being a medical marijuana patient. Regulations also tend to vary by location, so we’ve compiled informative details for each state which currently has an approved medical marijuana program.

Pros of a Medical Marijuana Card

Being a medical marijuana cardholder can come with a number of financial, legal, cultivation, health, and wellness benefits.

You are Legally Protected

Although public marijuana consumption is not currently federally permitted in any US state, if you are stopped by authorities in your home state and are in possession of medical marijuana, you will not face any legal consequences for purchasing your medicine from a state licensed dispensary, or for carrying an amount within the state’s legally defined purchase/possession limit. Make sure to always carry your up-to-date medical marijuana card on you when in possession of any medical cannabis products.

Marijuana is More Affordable

Since recreational marijuana is taxed at a higher rate, medical marijuana patients often pay less, or in some cases, incur no tax on their plant medicine. Currently, Washington state has

the highest recreational marijuana tax in the country at 35%. Financially speaking, medical marijuana patients pay less overall for their cannabis products..

Higher Possession Limits

In the majority of states with medical marijuana programs, patients are generally allotted a larger possession/purchase/consumption limit when compared to recreational users. In some states, recreational use remains illegal entirely, and getting caught with cannabis could result in a fine.