What benefits are MMJ users going to get with a medical card in California from 2018?

[marshallm]

Seriously though. You can start buying recreational weed from January in the state. If you are going to get a MMJ renewal, what type of benefits are you hoping to get from it?

And those looking to buy one, please explain how medical marijuana patients are at a much better position than recreational users?

 

[MikkaTheEnt]

Re: What benefits are MMJ users going to get with a medical card in California from 2

Before Jan. 1, a recommendation letter and/or plastic ID card issued by the usual online MMJ docs would work fine. It will still work fine in your local dispensary. HOWEVER: the new law says that only those medical patients with the state-issued card will be able to avoid the "recreational use" tax. So if you want to avoid paying that tax, you need the state card. HOWEVER: I'm not sure I trust the state with this information. I know they say that HIPPA prevents them from sharing info with other agencies, but some states are looking to make gun sales and possession illegal for state card holders. Not that I want a gun (I don't), but this means that the state is sharing info with the state and fed gun regulators. It sets a precedent that may allow them to feel comfortable sharing your private info with other agencies. A bust for those who value their privacy.

 

[Dwight Monk]

Re: What benefits are MMJ users going to get with a medical card in California from 2

Before Jan. 1, a recommendation letter and/or plastic ID card issued by the usual online MMJ docs would work fine. It will still work fine in your local dispensary. HOWEVER: the new law says that only those medical patients with the state-issued card will be able to avoid the "recreational use" tax. So if you want to avoid paying that tax, you need the state card. HOWEVER: I'm not sure I trust the state with this information. I know they say that HIPPA prevents them from sharing info with other agencies, but some states are looking to make gun sales and possession illegal for state card holders. Not that I want a gun (I don't), but this means that the state is sharing info with the state and fed gun regulators. It sets a precedent that may allow them to feel comfortable sharing your private info with other agencies. A bust for those who value their privacy.

I don't know the costs of getting a card down there but up here with the fee and the required Dr appointment you have to buy a lot to offset the tax amount that is extra. So have to weigh that into it as to how much it will save you, and yeah the "being on a list somewhere" I don't like either as even if they don't "share" the Feds could get ahold of it and screw you on things like guns or Medicaid etc... potentially and not worth it to me anyway.

So in example in OR yearly fee is $200 + the $180 physician, so $380 so you have to spend $1,900 on Cannabis before it would be to your advantage not paying the taxes, so a depends on how much you use can be a factor.

 

[Medicaltoker]

Re: What benefits are MMJ users going to get with a medical card in California from 2

In California without your doctor's recommendation you're going to pay $60 for a 4 gram eighth when with my recommendation I only pay $40 for the same 8th! It only cost $60 a year for your recommendation and it only cost $40 to renew it that's in San Bernardino County

 

[MikkaTheEnt]

Medicaltoker, there are two kinds of MMJ cards.

The one you're talking about is an online MMJ doc's recommendation letter (and optional plastic card). We've been able to get these for years now. Before Jan. 1, you could use them to make purchases from medical dispensaries and just pay the gram rate, no tax. But, after Jan. 1, these kinds of cardholders will have to pay the state's recreational tax.

The other card is a state/county issued MMJ card, which allows you to skip paying the recreational tax altogether. However, their requirements as to what kind of doctor you can use to get a rec letter is a bit sketchy. Some report success with just an online doc's rec, others were required to see a "real" doctor, then go down to the county offices to purchase a state-issued MMJ card. Having to see a "real" doc plus the county fee for the card can run you several hundred dollars.

As Dwight points out, it'll take a hefty amount of purchases over a year to offset the money you will pay to a "real" doctor (if you can find one who would be willing to write you a MMJ rec) and the state/county fee for the card. I decided I'm going to stick with the first type of card. I grow my own these days but do occasionally make an extract purchase or two, so I'm not too worried about the tax. And I really don't want my information to be spread around the state's various agencies, to allow them to possibly deny Medicaid, Cal-Fresh benefits, and other state issued assistance plans. Not to mention that if they share the info with medical insurance companies, you could possibly be denied insurance, or have to pay an unrealistically high premium. Or if they share the info with employers, you may be denied a job. All because you hold a state issued MMJ card.

No, thanks. I prefer that my medical info not be possibly spread around. With the first kind of card, he information you supplied to your online doc is kept on file by them and goes nowhere else, and the dispensaries who take your info so you can make medical purchases keeps that info to themselves as well.

 

[SherriJamison]

Although recreational marijuana is presently legitimate in the territory of California, there are still a lot of reasons that you ought to acquire a MMJ card in 2018. With major rewards of sparing cash and having less confinements, there are such a significant number of points of interest to having a cannabis card.


1. Consistent care

Suppose you as of now have a cannabis card. One of the advantages of re-establishing it (notwithstanding the new legitimateness of recreational maryjane) is that you can proceed with your utilization of cannabis items with no interference. Like exchanging medical coverage designs, in the event that you end utilizing your MMJ card, you could confront snags in acquiring your items. You would likewise likely face an expansion in the sum you spend to get your cannabis. By keeping your California MMJ card (or recharging it yearly), you can make certain that you won't confront any impedance in your cannabis buys or utilization.

2. Lower age confine

Since recreational maryjane utilization is lawful, clients still should be more than 21 years old to buy or devour cannabis items. Nonetheless, with a California MMJ card, you just must be 18 years of age to utilize restorative marijuana. This preferred standpoint can be extremely useful in case you're under 21 yet at the same time need to utilize cannabis items for restorative treatment.

Despite the fact that recreational maryjane is currently legitimate in California, you'll be qualified for significantly more advantages on the off chance that you have a California MMJ card.

3. More access to dispensaries

With a California MMJ card, you never need to stress over purchasing your item from an offensive vender. Cannabis card holders approach countless (that frequently offer better quality items). Rather than obtaining cannabis items from an obscure merchant, most therapeutic weed dispensaries give clients higher-review strains with an assortment of THC: CBD proportions, so you'll be getting item that is significantly more powerful.

4. Chance to develop your own plants

In case you're occupied with developing your own maryjane plants in your home, a MMJ card gives you less restriction than a recreational producer. In case you're exclusively developing for recreational utilizations, you are just allowed to have six develop maryjane plants on your property at any one time. Notwithstanding, with a California MMJ card, you are permitted to develop more plants in any 100-square-foot territory on your property. Notwithstanding having the capacity to skirt the lines at a dispensary, developing your own plants likewise gives you the chance to grow an assortment of strains (whichever best fits your specific medicinal needs) and winds up sparing you cash over the long haul.

5. Less general limitations

In spite of the fact that pot is currently legitimate in California, there are as yet numerous limitations set up with respect to utilizing and developing cannabis items. In case you're exclusively utilizing pot for recreational purposes, you can't convey and utilize your cannabis items as unreservedly as you can on the off chance that you possess a MMJ card. For instance, recreational clients are constrained to one ounce of blossom (or eight grams of cannabis concentrates) at once, while clients with a MMJ card can purchase and convey as much cannabis as their treatment requires. Indeed, even edibles have confinements for recreational clients (with just 10mg of individual measurements permitted at once). On the off chance that you have a California MMJ card, be that as it may, you're ready to purchase and develop more items, notwithstanding approaching higher quality and better quality cannabis.

Having a MMJ card can enable you to spare cash in such huge numbers of ways.

6. Can spare you cash

Last, yet not slightest, maybe the greatest advantage to having a MMJ card is the capacity to spare bunches of money. There are some negligible costs forthright to get a cannabis card, yet it's well justified, despite all the trouble. In case you're keen on acquiring a MMJ card, you can apply for one for around $59 (or just $45 in case you're enlisted in Medical). There can be slight contrasts in cost contingent upon the area you're in, however there's a top of $79 for the whole application process. At that point, you can either make a visit to a specialist's office or complete an online appraisal for around $45-$79. Once you've finished the underlying application, consistently after, you'll just pay amongst $45 to restore your MMJ card every year.

 

[AndrewStuart]

Benefits of Having MMJ Card in 2018

Continuous care

More access to dispensaries

Opportunity to grow your own plants

Less overall restrictions

Lower Costs & Taxes

 

[BeanTownFan420]

Seriously though. You can start buying recreational weed from January in the state. If you are going to get a MMJ renewal, what type of benefits are you hoping to get from it?

And those looking to buy one, please explain how medical marijuana patients are at a much better position than recreational users?

Only your wait in line at the dispensary i dumped my card Dec 15 2016 when we went legal here.

 

[Gadfly]

Those online mmj cards may get a modest discount at some stores in CA. However, some of those online recs are a complete scam. Also, in CA one can get a waiver on a huge chunk of the taxes but you have to register with the state itself, pay additional fees, and be entered into a state data base. The old medical rec system is slowly being phased out. It’s a separate program.

 

[Canine246810]

I cant figure the benefits other then you are allowed to have more in your possession. Cant grow more unless you get the grower card. I am still trying to figure it out too cause I would like to know if I need to renew my rec or not. Some solid facts would be nice if anyne has a link or info that gives a str8 answer.

 

[Missussex]

One advantage of having a medical card is that you can buy higher-THC "medical only" products.

 

[Vegan4life]

I believe local law enforcement and the Feds would be more excepting of my grow and my stash, if I am a medical user. So I choose to keep my MMJ Rec valid.

 

[DanklyDarkie]

dont medical users get a bigger discount than rec?

 

[Vegan4life]

dont medical users get a bigger discount than rec?

You will save on state and local taxes, in California

 

[Dwight Monk]

dont medical users get a bigger discount than rec?

You will save on state and local taxes, in California

So depends on the yearly cost of a card and taxes on how much you buy whether the numbers add up so to speak. Here it is $200 a year for the State part of it and the required Dr part of it runs $150-200. So lets say $400 a year cost (math is easier), as up here in OR it is a 20% tax so you would have to buy over $2,000 worth a year before you are "saving any money". And being I grow my own I don't buy anywhere near that amount a year at the Dispensaries, so not worth it for me coupled with not having your name on a list as some States it can affect you having a firearms license in example and other potential headaches like that. Along with all the paperwork involved with getting a Med card and the traveling to a Dr that does it (45 mile drive one way for me, so how much "your time" is worth has to be figured into equation also).

 

[Dwight Monk]

So depends on the yearly cost of a card and taxes on how much you buy whether the numbers add up so to speak. Here it is $200 a year for the State part of it and the required Dr part of it runs $150-200. So lets say $400 a year cost (math is easier), as up here in OR it is a 20% tax so you would have to buy over $8,000 worth a year before you are "saving any money". And being I grow my own I don't buy anywhere near that amount a year at the Dispensaries, so not worth it for me coupled with not having your name on a list as some States it can affect you having a firearms license in example and other potential headaches like that. Along with all the paperwork involved with getting a Med card and the traveling to a Dr that does it (45 mile drive one way for me, so how much "your time" is worth has to be figured into equation also).

not sure where my math was yesterday..........$2000 worth before you are saving money not 8000.....either way I don't buy that much either as nowhere near $2000 a year at Dispensary....sorry about that just noticed I was way off somehow (lack of sleep I think or not as much as I need lately).