If you want to use marijuana in Santa Monica, you can get it
either as a medical patient or as a recreational user. There is a big
difference between the two. Although California legalized recreational pot on
January 1 this year, there are still a myriad of reasons to consider a medical
marijuana card. The benefits of having one are varied and immense. Read on to
find out what they are:
1. Easier Delivery
It is much easier to find a “marijuana delivery service near me” as a medical patient than as a recreational user. California law permits
prompt, hassle-free delivery to legitimate patients, since many are unable to
drive or are too ill to visit a dispensary. Recreational users can order weed
delivery in Santa Monica, but they have far fewer legal options, since the
state is still dilly-dallying around licenses.
2. Uninterrupted Use
If you already have a medical marijuana card, then, despite
recreational weed being legal now, you can continue consuming your favorite
weed products unhindered and without interruption when you renew your card. In
many ways, it is much the same as switching health care plans. If you stop
renewing your card, then you could find retail stores out of stock of your
preferred cannabis products.
You will also pay more for them, as you will need to
increase what you spend to get it. By holding onto your California medical
marijuana card, and renewing it every year, you can rest assured that you can
continue using the products you love and need without any interference or
changes to your financial or consumption habits.
3. Lower Age Limit
Now that California legalized recreational pot use and
sales, anyone 21-years or older can buy and consume marijuana products legally.
However, you only need to be 18-years or older to access medical cannabis with
a card. This benefit is especially helpful if you are not yet a legal adult and
still need to use marijuana products to treat a specific ailment or several.
4. Access to Dispensaries
A medical marijuana cardholder need never concern him- or herself
with buying from disreputable stores. The card gives you access to all licensed
dispensaries, which have the best quality products at the most affordable
prices. Instead of buying from swindlers and street dealers, you get access to
premium-grade medical weed with a variety of strains and THC: CBD ratios. You
get effective products.
5. Grow Your Own Weed
If you want to save money and grow your own cannabis at
home, then having a MMJ card gives you more freedom than recreational users.
Legal adults can only have six mature pot plants at any given time, but medical
patients can grow as many plants as they need or can fit into a 100-square-foot
area on their properties. No queuing at dispensaries and you can grow the
strains you want most.
6. Fewer Restrictions Overall
Although cannabis is legal now in California, the state
still imposes many restrictions on everybody concerning growing and using
marijuana products. If you are using weed solely for recreational purposes, you
cannot carry and consume your stash as openly as you can with a cannabis card.
Recreational users can only carry an ounce of bud or eight grams of
concentrates on their persons.
However, as a medical marijuana cardholder, you can possess
as much weed as your treatment requires. There are even restrictions on edibles
for recreational consumers, with the state only permitting 10 milligrams of THC
per serving. With a card, however, you are free to buy and grow more than they
can, and you have access to better quality, more potent marijuana products.
7. More Opportunities to Save Money
Having a medical marijuana card can save you plenty of
money. Although getting one costs a pretty dollar upfront, as well as doctor’s
fees, the price is well worth the cost-savings in the long-term. You can apply
for a cannabis card for around $66, or as little as $50 of you belong to
Medi-Cal. Prices do differ depending on the county you reside in, but the law
caps the entire application process at $100.
The visit to your doctor can cost as much as $150 or less,
which is roughly the same as having an online assessment done by a
cannabis-certified doctor. After completing the initial application, you then
need to renew your medical marijuana card every year for between $25 and $40.
Since medical patients do not pay sales tax on the weed that they buy, you will
quickly recuperate these costs and start saving.
If you do not have a medical marijuana card, then you could
end up paying nearly 20 percent more for your pot purchases. For example, if
you spend around $250 on weed, you will still have to pay a sales tax of 15
percent, which increases the total to a whopping $287.50. On the other hand,
having a cannabis card eliminates the sales tax and the savings start to add up
very quickly.
Additionally, if you have a cannabis card, then you will
also find other opportunities to save money at medical dispensaries themselves,
whether online or around the corner. In comparison to recreational outlets,
these dispensaries offer a myriad of discounts, coupons, and other product
specials. There are store credit bonuses and loyalty rewards too.
If you are a loyal medical customer, then you can really
rack up significant savings. Most dispensaries now also offer discounts when
you refer friends and family to them, as well. With skipping the exorbitant
sales tax and taking advantage of all these additional savings, it makes a
great deal of financial sense to get yourself a medical marijuana card.
Final Thoughts
If you need marijuana Santa Monica, then there are many
benefits to take advantage of in 2018 if you have a cannabis card. You will not
need to search for a “marijuana delivery service near me,” since you will have
access to all dispensaries and their delivery channels. You have less
restrictions and can save a horde of cash. Additionally, with application being
super easy and inexpensive, it is worth considering.
