On January 1, 2018 legal cannabis becomes the rule of the land in the State of California. This means, you no longer need a medical marijuana card. Find out what’s changing and how you’ll stay on the right side of law.
If you’re hoping to waltz into your local California dispensary January 1st, 2018 and buy legal cannabis in California without a medical marijuana card, think again. Our friends at Octavia Wellness has some knowledge to share:
1. You do need a Medical Marijuana card
Until the state of California finalizes regulations in legal cannabis, most dispensaries will continue to require a medical marijuana card from their customers to purchase legal cannabis products. While voters passed Prop 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, there is much more to be done. Furthermore, the state of California has left it to individual cities, towns, and municipalities to approve the availability of legal cannabis in their jurisdiction. Depending on the locale they could approve either of two types of uses of legal cannabis; medical or adult/recreational.
Medical refers to the use of cannabis, or marijuana, in any product form such as flowers, edibles, or vapes, as therapy as proven by the patient having a Medical Marijuana Recommendation card,or a medical marijuana card. Adult or recreational use means the non-medical use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21 and doesn’t require a medical marijuana card.
2. Your dispensary might be closed
On January 1st 2018, many cannabis dispensaries will still be waiting to receive their license from the state. This means they may have to close their doors for a few days while they wait. Because the state is leaving it to individual cities and towns to decide what level of cannabis sales, if any, they’ll allow, many municipalities are still deciding whether they’ll be issuing permits for medical or adult use. Either way, it’s likely that they won’t get everything stored out by January 1st, 2018, so definitely call before you visit any dispensary in January if you want to know where to buy legal cannabis in 2018.
At the moment, only a few municipalities in California have approved recreational legal cannabis sales and assuming many places only allow medical sales, having a medical marijuana card will give you the most flexibility in where to buy marijuana in 2018. Just like any other retail brand, every dispensary is different and caters to a different clientele. Definitely do some research on where to buy marijuana in California 2018.
Where to buy legal medical cannabis in 2018:
There are many options from the Berkeley Patients Group, the nation’s oldest medical cannabis dispensary, to San Francisco’s Harvest, where they offer an off the shelf shopping experience, to Octavia Wellness that specializes in cannabis for beginners and seniors. There’s a dispensary or online retailer out there for every cannabis consumer.
3. How to get a Medical Recommendation
Depending on where you live, you could visit a Medical Marijuana Doctor in person or talk with a doctor online.
With the doctor, you will have to discuss possible qualifying conditions and any concerns you may have. In addition it’s always best to talk with a physician before starting any new treatments. However, if you live in an area without Medical Marijuana Doctors there are several online services that can help. For instance, one of the most reputable is HelloMD where New York and California residents can video chat with a doctor after submitting basic information. This is kept confidential under HIPPA regulations. As part of your consultation, the doctor will discuss the many benefits of cannabis. This includes the best legal cannabis product for sleep and pain relief. Once you’ve met with the doctor, they’ll email you a document to print out immediately following your consultation. This allows you legally purchase medical marijuana.
What’s next?
Stay tuned with Octavia and Craft Sense for updates on changes to the cannabis market in California and more information on cannabis in Massachusetts, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
Also See: Where to buy legal recreational cannabis in 2018 in California