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Missouri voters have spoken and recreational marijuana is now legal! This is a huge win for not just the State of Missouri but the whole country! With the addition of Maryland and Missouri, 21 states have now legalized marijuana, and 39 states have medical programs!
Most people don’t realize that there are distinct differences between medical and recreational marijuana, as they vary in pricing, accessibility, cultivation, and usage.
Although recreational marijuana is now legal in Missouri, you should still get your medical card for many reasons. Here are a few benefits of having your medical card in a recreational state.
Pricing
Did you know that medical marijuana is tax deductible for patients with their card? That’s right, Missouri patients with medical marijuana cards can claim their marijuana as a tax deductible medical expense. This can make a significant difference in how much you spend on your medicine!
Also, medical marijuana is typically held at a lower tax rate than recreational marijuana. In Missouri, recreational marijuana will be taxed at 6%, while medical cannabis patients will only be responsible for a 4% tax.
Also, recreational marijuana is just plain more expensive! This is because recreational cannabis goes through many stages including processing, storing, and packaging. Every time the product changes hands, there is a markup.
Each markup becomes more expensive, which eventually means the consumer will end up paying more for their products. There is much less of a retail markup with medical products, allowing the patient to save money.
Accessibility
With recreational marijuana, products will go out of stock, and new brands will replace them. People with their medical marijuana card in Missouri will not have to deal with this, as medical products will always be in stock.
If you like taking a certain type of medicine and do not want to switch, with a medical marijuana card you won’t have to!
Variety
Recreational marijuana users tend to gravitate more toward flower and smoking or edibles. On the flip side, medical patients normally prefer products that don’t require smoking, such as tinctures or topicals.
Missouri’s medical program offers many different types of marijuana, so users can decide what works for them. Recreational dispensaries, however, will not have as many non-smokeable products available.
Support
If you have your medical marijuana card in Missouri, you can head to any of the state’s dispensaries and speak to a budtender. Budtenders are highly educated and can help you decide which type of marijuana is best for you.
You can tell your budtender your qualifying condition and any symptoms you may experience, and they should be able to make some recommendations for you. This is especially worth it if you are new to the world of cannabis.
Recreational marijuana dispensaries do not offer education to their employees regarding qualifying conditions and which products may work best for certain symptoms. In fact, they are usually advised not to make any recommendations to customers.
Potency
Some patients require high potency cannabis for their symptoms in order to feel better. Most states, including Missouri, have potency limits on recreational marijuana products. Medical card holders will enjoy greater access to high potency products.
Try Medical Marijuana Today
Even though marijuana is now legal in Missouri, you should still get your medical marijuana card. Medical cannabis will pay less in taxes for their product, and the standards for medical marijuana are much higher than that of recreational.
If you don’t already have your medical marijuana card, we can help! Our doctors are standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify. During your evaluation, they will be happy to answer all your questions about how cannabis may be able to help with your anxiety or any other medical conditions.
Schedule an appointment with a marijuana professional online by giving us a call at
(877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting the relief you can trust today!
Check out Missouri Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Missouri!