Shopping for marijuana products is becoming more mainstream, and with that surge in popularity, future weed enthusiasts need to keep track of the do’s and don’ts of cannabis shopping. One of the most pressing questions among smoking newcomers is whether or not you’re even able to shop for marijuana without a medical marijuana card. In the U.S., this is entirely dependent on whether or not your state has legalized recreational marijuana.
Since the start of 2020, Illinois residents have been able to purchase recreational cannabis products without a medical marijuana card legally. Buyers must be over the age of 21, so you’ll need to show a valid, government-issued ID that shows your date of birth when you make a purchase. But aside from that, it’s not difficult for Illinois residents to shop for recreational marijuana.
Simply put, there’s nothing stopping an Illinois resident from heading to their local dispensary and grabbing some of their favorite buds. Likewise, this means that someone with or without a medical condition can get access to weed without issue. However, those who consume cannabis for medical use should consider getting their medical marijuana card anyway. Many smokers know that a medical marijuana card will allow them to buy and possess more weed than otherwise, but here are a few other benefits that you may not have considered.
Marijuana Discounts
Have you ever noticed that the prices are different for medical marijuana and recreational marijuana shoppers? This difference is primarily due to the taxes that are tallied onto each, which can be up to 25% on some recreational items with high levels of THC. Thankfully, EarthMed offers daily deals for our Addison medical marijuana shoppers to enjoy.
While the medical and recreational menus are nearly identical, the medical menu offers dozens of sales that update all the time. Strictly speaking, shopping for medical marijuana will save you lots of money in the long run.
Pro Tip: If you go to a recreational-only shop with your medical card, you’ll still pay the higher tax rate, so stick to the medical marijuana dispensaries for the best bang for your buck.
More Places to Shop
Across the country, wherever there are recreational cannabis shops to buy from, there are also medical-only dispensaries inaccessible to non-medical consumers. It’s always a benefit to have access to various dispensaries, allowing you more opportunities to browse and find your favorite products.
Additionally, due to the variation in legality, marijuana enthusiasts that travel across state lines will have to abide by the state’s unique legislation. If you’re living in a medical-only state, a card will be mandatory to shop for any form of weed.
Legal Protection
The legal protections provided by a medical marijuana card help shield patients from potential criminal charges. This is particularly valuable in states where recreational use is still illegal, as it offers a legal pathway to access and use cannabis for health reasons.
Medical marijuana cardholders are also legally allowed to possess cannabis within specific limits, which are typically higher than those for recreational use. Having a medical card ensures patients can use products specifically authorized for medical use.
Access to More Potent Weed
Another benefit of carrying around your own medical marijuana card is that you’ll have access to more potent strains of marijuana. Most dispensaries that sell medical and recreational cannabis will hold some of their products exclusively for medical users. Medical patients may require cannabis with higher potencies of THC or CBD, giving them greater access to premium products and ensuring they have their medicine available when they need it.
Higher Purchase and Possession Limits
Another cannabis card benefit is that medical marijuana patients are usually allowed to possess larger quantities of cannabis than recreational users. Patients with chronic pain, severe anxiety, cancer, epilepsy, or other qualifying conditions often require higher doses or more frequent use of cannabis products. The higher possession limit ensures they can maintain a sufficient supply without the need for frequent trips to the dispensary.
Medical marijuana cardholders are also generally permitted to purchase more cannabis per dispensary visit. This enables patients who rely on cannabis for ongoing treatment to buy in bulk, which can be more convenient, especially if they have mobility issues or limited access to dispensaries. Larger purchases can also result in discounts, as dispensaries like EarthMed will offer price breaks for buying in bulk.
Grow Your Own Medicine
In Illinois, medical marijuana patients are legally allowed to grow up to five cannabis plants in their homes or on their property. On the other hand, recreational users cannot grow their own cannabis. The ability to cultivate their own medicine is a massive benefit of being a medical marijuana patient. If your dream is to grow and sell weed commercially, that’s an entirely different process, but a medical card is a great way to get started if you’re interested in growing enough for one.
Despite how easy it is to shop for recreational marijuana in Illinois, remember that rules and regulations vary by state. Recreational dispensaries are simply not as available in other states as medical ones, making a medical license even more valuable.
In one of our previous posts, we provided a list of seven easy steps to follow that will allow you to get your Illinois medical marijuana card. There are dozens of qualifying health conditions that allow individuals to shop for medical marijuana, so be sure to review our list of qualifying health conditions and ask your doctor if medical marijuana can help treat your symptoms.
Save on taxes, get more potent products, and grow your own cannabis by getting your Illinois medical marijuana card. Here are our 5 Steps to Ask Your Doctor about Medical Marijuana in Illinois to get started today. I promise you won’t regret it!
