Services to deliver medical marijuana to card-holding patients became legal in the state of Massachusetts in April 2018. Many homebound patients do not have the ability to go to dispensaries so the state legalized delivery to ensure patients get their much-needed medication.
Dispensaries can deliver cannabis products to residences only if the patient has an official Massachusetts MMJ card. Furthermore, card holders are not taxed on medical marijuana; that saves you 20 percent, as recreational users will be taxed that amount.
State officials also want to ensure that patients have access to medical marijuana so that they don’t turn to opioids. In 2017, Massachusetts experienced its highest number of opioid fatalities—nearly 2,000 deaths. According to Weedmaps, states that have access to marijuana have 25% fewer opioid-related deaths.
Home delivery services of each dispensary are regulated and state-approved. Most offer delivery within 72 hours, with some offering next-day services. There are delivery restrictions on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard because cannabis is not allowed on the ferries.
The public has general misconceptions about who constitutes the delivery clientele in Massachusetts. Most are between 50 and 90 years old—a much older population than most people realize. As such, many are homebound. These patients suffer from debilitating diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS) and find great relief with medical cannabis. Many are military veterans who say cannabis relieves their PTSD symptoms.
These are the patients who use home delivery. Homebound patients would simply be without medicine without these delivery services. Many would then turn to black market operations pretending to be “caregivers” yet selling products that are low quality and not lab tested. This is too risky, as many of these products cannot be traced back to their origin, and many contain harmful toxins and pesticides because their cultivation has not been regulated. The state of Massachusetts regulates legal cultivation, banning the use of such pesticides to ensure quality products.
Medical marijuana card holders will definitely still have the advantage in Massachusetts, even after recreational legalization goes into full operations. For example, dispensaries are required to reserve at least 35 percent of their stock to ensure that MMJ patients get what they need. Think of it this way—MMJ patients are the first class passengers; they’re not taxed and they are ensured stock and delivery. If you could fly first class for less than what others are paying for coach seating, wouldn’t you do it?
Of course you would. And our team at MedWell Health and Wellness Centers can help you. We are here to serve medical marijuana patients through our six locations and in home MMJ Certification Program. We will help however we can, so click here to set up your appointment today.
Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.
