Why You Should Keep Your Medical Card in Massachusetts

Before a state considers the legalization of recreational cannabis use, the option is provided to patients through a medical cannabis program. The intention is to provide alternative health options to patients who are not getting relief from conventional treatments.

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Massachusetts on December 15, 2016. Voters supported the Question 4 ballot initiative on November 8, 2016. Recreational use sales began in Massachusetts two years later, on November 20, 2018.

Understandably, when recreational cannabis is legalized, some patients let their medical cannabis card expire. It is less expensive than paying an annual fee to stay on the registry, and there is no need for follow-up appointments to keep your medical card.

For patients, however, that are managing one or more chronic health conditions, there are some compelling reasons to stay registered with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MUMP). Staying with your medical marijuana provider can help you get better results. And medical patients benefit from the guidance of a cannabis healthcare expert.

The Difference Between Medical and Recreational Cannabis Use in Massachusetts

Suppose you are thinking about getting your medical card in Massachusetts, but you are not sure now that recreational use is legalized. In that case, you will be evaluating the benefits of having a card. After all, there are some expenses involved in getting (and keeping) your medical card, and you need to make the choice that is best for your needs.

Here are some quick facts to consider if you are ready to get your medical cannabis card:

The Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Program

Both medical cannabis and recreational use are legalized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Patients who meet the requirements with qualifying conditions can get a medical marijuana card.

The medical marijuana patient has to have at least one of the following qualifying conditions to get a certification from a physician and apply for a Massachusetts medical marijuana card:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Cancer.
• Crohn’s disease,
• Glaucoma,
• HIV/AIDS,
• Hepatitis C,
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Parkinson’s disease.
• Other debilitating conditions or chronic symptoms that a certified physician approves.

One of the good things about the medical cannabis program in Massachusetts is that physicians have some flexibility when it comes to approving patients for medical cannabis use. For example, if a patient has chronic debilitating migraines, fibromyalgia, or symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, they may also be approved by the doctor.

During your medical cannabis appointment with MedWell Health and Wellness Centers, one of our friendly physicians will discuss your health history, current conditions, and the impact that symptoms are having on your quality of life. And help you learn whether medical cannabis is a safe choice for your needs.

Recreational Use Cannabis Laws in Massachusetts

Residents in Massachusetts must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older to enter a dispensary and purchase cannabis products. Adults may also cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home. If there is more than one individual in the residence who is over the age of twenty-one, a maximum of twelve (12) cannabis plants can be grown at home for personal use.

Recreational cannabis sales are still regulated, and the amount of cannabis residents purchase is tracked in a statewide system to prevent buying more than the legal limit.

7 Reasons Keeping Your Massachusetts Medical Card is Worth It

While it is true that there are fewer requirements for people to purchase recreational cannabis in Massachusetts, there are many reasons why having a medical marijuana card in MA is still worth it.

Here are some of the benefits that medical cardholders have when they stay on the Massachusetts medical marijuana patient registry:

1. No Age Restrictions

When you are a patient with a qualifying medical condition, you may be approved for a medical card, regardless of your age. Adults must be eighteen years of age or older in Massachusetts for medical cannabis. However, minors (under the age of 18 years) can be assisted through the caregiver program.

If you are a parent or legal guardian of a minor in Massachusetts, you may register as a caregiver. That is a guardian who provides direct patient care for a minor who has a qualifying medical condition for pediatric medical cannabis.

Residents of Massachusetts who are not registered patients in the medical cannabis program must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older to purchase at a recreational dispensary. Photo identification is also required for recreational users.

2. Higher Purchase Limits

Medical cannabis laws in Massachusetts allow a patient to purchase up to sixty (60) days of supplies or a maximum of 10 ounces of cannabis flower from a dispensary every two months. Individuals who do not have a medical card, and visit a recreational marijuana dispensary, are only permitted to purchase one ounce of flower per visit.

Massachusetts state laws about recreational use also limit residents to purchase five grams of concentrated cannabis at a time. The limit is also based on the potency or milligrams of THC in each serving. For example, an individual could purchase one ounce of flower or twenty (20) servings of edibles (adding up to not more than 100 milligrams of THC) in one dispensary visit.

Because patients using cannabis for medicinal purposes are addressing wellness needs, they are permitted to purchase and legally possess

3. Lower Taxes on Cannabis Products

Massachusetts patients who have a medical cannabis card can save a lot in taxes compared to recreational users. For example, the combined sales, excise, and local community taxes average between 17% to 20%.

Patients with a Massachusetts medical card are only required to pay state sales tax, which is 6.25%. That means they will save anywhere from 10% to over 13% less tax on medical cannabis products each time they visit a local dispensary.

Depending on the type of medical cannabis products you buy, the difference between recreational and medical marijuana taxes in Massachusetts can save you several hundred dollars per year, beyond the annual cost of making an appointment with your MedWell cannabis healthcare provider.

4. Some Employment Protections

Patients registered in the Massachusetts medical marijuana program have some employee protections established. Employers are still legally allowed to impose different drug policies for safety in the work environment. However, employees have the right to request reasonable accommodations based on their diagnosis and responsible use of medical cannabis.

Employers that dismiss workers who test positive for THC products must prove that there was a safety concern. For example, workers who operate heavy equipment, drive vehicles, or work with machinery every day may not be permitted to have any THC in their system.

If the potential to become injured is increased by medical cannabis use, the employer may have cause to fire an employee on the grounds of workplace safety. It is important for patients with a Massachusetts medical cannabis card to make sure they understand the drug policy, accommodations, and requirements to remain compliant.

However, for recreational users of cannabis, there are no current legal protections against wrongful dismissal by an employer. That is because recreational use is not medicinal, and there are no grounds for accommodating residents who test positive for THC if they are not registered in the Massachusetts medical marijuana program.

5. Expert Medical Advice for Your Evolving Healthcare Needs

The most valuable part of having a medical cannabis card in Massachusetts is the expert advice you will receive from your MedWell physician. Our physicians care about patients and work to guide treatment plans that will help you reach your wellness goals, using medical marijuana as an alternative health option.

Conflicts With Prescription Medications and Nutritional Supplements

While cannabis is well tolerated and does not conflict with most prescription drugs, it can be contraindicated (not recommended) when taking certain medications. Some of the known drugs that can interact with cannabis include:

• Sedatives and medications that depress Central Nervous System functioning. Cannabis can amplify the sedative effects of some medications and may increase risks of respiratory depression or adverse events that may impact normal breathing.
• Opioids and cannabis can be deadly because both drugs are sedative and analgesic. This can increase the risk of a drug overdose.
• Antidepressant and antipsychotic medications may conflict and contribute to increased drowsiness, dizziness, as well as hypertension (high blood pressure), and hypotension (low blood pressure).
• Other sedatives like benzodiazepines can also increase the risk of excessive drowsiness when combined with cannabis.
• Blood thinners or anticoagulant medications can become less effective when a patient is using them while consuming cannabis on a regular basis. This can increase the risk of bleeding for patients.
• Some statin medications, antifungal prescriptions, and antiretroviral medications may also conflict with cannabis, leading to adverse events and increased health risks.

There are also nutritional supplements that can alter how medical cannabis works in your body. Sedative herbs like valerian root, kava, or passionflower, when combined with high-potency cannabis, can dangerously increase sedative effects like drowsiness.

Combining herbal supplements that can impact liver enzymes, such as St. John’s wort, goldenseal, or grapefruit juice, can negatively impact liver enzymes that metabolize prescription medications. Bitter melon, cinnamon, or other herbal supplements used for glucose control may adversely affect healthy levels of blood sugar in the body.

As we age, our healthcare needs change. And having a regular check-in with a cannabis healthcare provider will help you monitor symptom control and help you stay informed about potential drug or supplement interactions that could harm your health.

6. Guaranteed Products and Essential Service Designation

During the COVID-19 health emergency, most businesses were forced to close temporarily for public safety. That included everything from banks to grocery stores and retail outlets. Recreational dispensaries were also forced to close their doors for some time.

Coping with the pandemic, state lawmakers designated certain types of businesses as “essential services,” which meant they were required to stay open. That included doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and medical cannabis dispensaries.

Patients with a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts are guaranteed access to the cannabis wellness products they rely on. As a medical marijuana cardholder, your rights as a patient are protected.

7. Ongoing Education and Support

Many patients who apply for a medical cannabis card in Massachusetts may never have used cannabis before. Recreationally or medicinally. While it is legal to explore medical cannabis as an alternative health option, many people are unsure if they are qualified to register as a patient or how to apply for their Massachusetts medical marijuana card.

MedWell Health and Wellness Centers provides ongoing education and support for our patients. When you are subscribed to our newsletter, you will get information about new treatment innovations, medical research about cannabis for specific healthcare conditions, and more.

You will also get support to guide you through the medical card application process and reminders when it is time to renew your certification before your Massachusetts medical card expires.

8. Priority Care at Medical Dispensaries

If you are used to a medical cannabis dispensary, visiting a recreational retail location is a totally different experience. Recreational dispensaries typically expect consumers to browse on their own and purchase the products they want. Generally, not a lot of advice or information is provided at recreational dispensaries.

When you visit a medical cannabis dispensary, budtenders are trained and experienced to provide concierge service. They know patients need information about different strains specific to the symptoms they want to manage better.

You can sometimes call ahead and reserve an appointment (recommended for new medical card holders) and have a friendly budtender provide expert suggestions and care.

If taking care of your health and reaching your wellness goals is a priority, keep your Massachusetts medical marijuana card. And all the benefits you get by being a registered patient. Patient registration unlocks more legal protection and support that can help you reach your wellness goals.

Medical Marijuana Card Certifications Here