What are the Benefits of Having a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia?

Virginia is one of the 40 U.S. states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis. But the journey to this was not an easy one. There were so many ups and downs. It took more than 45 years in the Old Dominion’s general assembly and courts to lift the ban on it. Today, doctors are using it to treat serious medical conditions, and more and more residents of the VA are applying for the Virginia medical marijuana card. Read the article till the end to know the major benefits of a Virginia medical marijuana card.

1. Easy on Your Pocket

A medical marijuana card saves you bucks because the prices of Mary Jane are often low at recreational dispensaries. After marijuana was made legal for recreational use in several states, taxes on it went high. In such conditions, if you buy cannabis on a regular basis, you will be broke soon without a med card. Now, you might be wondering, why is there so much difference in the price of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana? The reason is that many states have very little or negligible taxes on the purchase of cannabis with an MMJ card.

Recreational customers have to pay between 15% and 37% of excise taxes in different states. On the other hand, only standard taxes are imposed on medical marijuana in Virginia. For example, in the state of Virginia, the total tax rate on all commercial marijuana products is around 15% to 18%. Meanwhile, the total tax rate on medical marijuana is around 5% to 6%, which is responsible for affordable prices.

2. Higher Limit on Possession, Purchase, and Cannabis Cultivation

There are strict restrictions on the purchase of recreational cannabis, whereas MMJ cardholders can possess it in larger quantities. In Virginia, medical patients are allowed to buy a maximum of 113.4 grams (4 ounces) for 30 days. With the help of the card, patients can bring almost double the amount of cannabis in comparison to recreational use in one go. This doesn’t mean that the cardholders can stash and grow cannabis of their own will. 

Adults above 21 years old can possess up to one ounce (28.35 grams) of cannabis for recreational purposes in public in VA. But with a medical marijuana card online, you can carry 4 ounces without any fear. Moreover, there is one similarity: an individual can grow only 4 marijuana plants in the household for both medical and recreational use.

3. Access to Exclusive Medical Cannabis Dispensaries

Once you get the medical marijuana card, you can shop in any medical cannabis dispensary in Virginia. Even though Virginia has plenty of recreational dispensaries, medical dispensaries are only open for MMJ cardholders. Medical users are entitled to numerous strains, products, and professional support, while others are not.

Also, cannabis extracts are stockpiled to avoid the shortage for cannabis patients. You may think that it is impossible to learn about medicinal cannabis products, but individuals who own a medical marijuana card can also seek help from healthcare professionals and budtenders to get insights on medical marijuana.

Some may say that recreational stores also have budtenders who can assist you. Yes, they indeed have, but they may not have the proper training and knowledge to help medical patients and give correct answers to their questions about strains, dosages, and the use of marijuana for particular medical conditions. Overall, it implies that even if your state has multiple legal recreational dispensaries, they cannot match the level of educational support of medical dispensaries.

4. More Potent Than Recreational Marijuana

Last but not least, medical marijuana patients have access to high-potency cannabis as compared to marijuana retailed in recreational dispensaries. In the majority of the pot shops, the cannabis they sell has regulated limits of potency. Further, some medical patients are prescribed by their doctors to consume high-potency THC or CBD because of their symptoms.

In the state of Virginia, recreational edibles, lotions, and tinctures can have only 2 mg of THC per package. Medical Marijuana dispensaries are more flexible in terms of this potency level. It can be 10 mg of THC per single dose. As we discussed earlier, some medical marijuana patients need high-potency marijuana to help manage their condition, and recreational products may not be sufficient for them.

Along with high potency, the cannabis products given to MMJ cardholders are of superior quality. There is a difference between chalk and cheese. Plus, medical marijuana is safer for your health than recreational marijuana. 

In a Nutshell

Getting a medical marijuana card in Virginia is more than passing the legal barrier. It’s about quality and reliable care of your well-being. From access to lab-tested products to expert medical guidance, the benefits are too many. For many patients, it becomes a life-changing step toward managing pain, anxiety, and chronic conditions.

If you also want to get a VA medical marijuana card online, contact ReThink-Rx. We are a medical practice that offers evaluation and medical marijuana certification for $99 for patients looking for medical cannabis therapy. So far, more than 10,000 Virginians have leveraged our services. Visit our website for more information.