Since 2016, Pennsylvania’s compassionate medical cannabis legislation, SB3, has offered those with certain medical conditions relief in the form of medical marijuana. Recently, Pennsylvania surpassed $1 billion in all-time sales of medical marijuana. Evidently, the program is quite successful.

If you’re a Pennsylvania resident and interested in finding out if you qualify for medical marijuana, then read on for all you need to know.

Is Marijuana Legal In Pennsylvania?

Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, but recreational use is illegal. In some cities, being caught with a small amount of marijuana will not get you in trouble, but it does remain illegal at the state level.

Qualifying Medical Conditions For MMJ In Pennsylvania

Several conditions qualify you for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Anyone with a terminal illness qualifies, as well as anyone diagnosed with:

• Autism
• Sickle cell anemia
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Severe intractable or chronic pain
• Cancer
• PTSD
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Damage to the spinal cord
• Neuropathies
• Epilepsy
• HIV
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Glaucoma
• Seizures
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Cancer remission therapy is also a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Children under the age of 18 with a medical condition that qualifies under the law can also be given an MMJ card. A parent, legal guardian, or caregiver will need to administer the MMJ to the minor under the Safe Harbor Letter, which allows them to possess and administer MMJ on behalf of the minor.

Anyone who is registered as an MMJ patient (and their caregiver) is protected from discrimination, arrest, and prosecution under the MMJ laws in the state. These legal protections do not cover the user or caregiver until their MMJ card has been received. It’s also important to note that it is not required for employers to accommodate the use of MMJ by employees on-site.

Having A Physician Certify Your Condition

Under Pennsylvania law, patients must be under the care of a doctor who can issue them certification for medical marijuana during an in-person visit. Certifications are required to state that the patient does indeed have one of the qualifying conditions and that it is believed they will benefit from the use of medical marijuana. A doctor must register and report to the state Department of Health if the qualifying patient no longer needs access to MMJ due to improved status in their condition.

Limits On Usage

There are only certain types of products legally available in Pennsylvania for MMJ users: oils, creams, tinctures, gels, pills, ointments, non-whole plant forms for consumption through vaporization, and liquid.

It is not legal to sell MMJ edibles at MMJ dispensaries in Pennsylvania. However, it is legal to introduce MMJ products into items you eat or drink if that is how the patients prefer to administer them. You cannot smoke MMJ, either. Dried flower vaporization is now legal in the state, but it still cannot be smoked.

MMJ Dispensaries In Pennsylvania

Only 150 dispensaries are allowed to legally operate in the state at once. Each dispensary can have up to three locations. Dispensaries must submit applications to become state-sanctioned.

Fees For A Pennsylvania MMJ Card

There is a $50 fee to apply for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania. You’ll need a state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license with a current address, to apply, and a background check must be completed.

Can You Use A Pennsylvania MMJ Card In Another State?

Using an MMJ card from another state to access medical marijuana is called reciprocity. In Pennsylvania, no reciprocity is offered. The state does not recognize the MMJ programs of other states; its MMJ program is only open to residents of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania medical marijuana program is a great thing for the 300,000+ residents who have taken advantage of it so far. If you have questions about MMJ in PA, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which administers the program, to have your questions answered. You should also discuss this program with your doctor if you feel you qualify for it, and if it might help you to live a more productive, pain-free life.

Featured image by Scott Serhat Duygun on Unsplash

The legalization of medical marijuana is spreading across the United States. Research has shown that marijuana can be effective in treating many health disorders or in the management of symptoms for others.

In Pennsylvania, the Medical Marijuana Act was brought into effect in May 2016. Dispensaries became available to serve the public in April of 2018 as long as customers have a qualifying health condition. Conditions that have been considered for medical marijuana treatment include:

• Cancer
• Anxiety disorder
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Tourette syndrome
• HIV/AIDS
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Neuropathies
• Huntington’s disease
• Chron’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Intractable seizures
• Glaucoma
• Autism
• Sickle cell anemia
• Brain and spinal cord nervous tissue damage
• Spastic movement disorder
• Opioid reduction therapy
• Chronic pain

To qualify for medical marijuana, a patient must have one of the above conditions and be prescribed a treatment plan by a certified physician. At this current time, recreational use of marijuana is still illegal in the state of Pennsylvania.

Is it hard to get a medical card in PA?

The process to get a card for the use of medical marijuana isn’t difficult in Pennsylvania, but as in other states, it does require a series of steps. First, a person must register on the Medical Marijuana Registry. This involves creating a profile with relevant information such as contact details, full name, and identification.

Following registration, a person must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition by a registered physician willing to give them a recommendation for the use of medical marijuana. Following recommendation, a person must apply for their Medical Marijuana ID card. This involves applying with your created profile and paying an application fee of $50.

How long does it take to get your medical card in the mail in PA?

Once all the above steps are completed, the medical marijuana will be sent out via mail. The timeline of the paperwork process to get a medical marijuana card will differ from person to person and depending on the time of year.

It may take anywhere from five business days to two weeks to receive the medical marijuana card in the mail, so it’s important to be patient during this time. It’s also important to note that your MMJ card is only valid for one calendar year and must be renewed annually.

Can you get fired for having a medical card in Pennsylvania?

Getting a medical marijuana card does not exempt a person from other laws in place. There are certain restrictions that those with cards must adhere to in order to remain eligible. For example, a person cannot grow their own medical marijuana in the state of Pennsylvania. All medicinal forms must be purchased from a licensed and registered dispensary.

A person must also adhere to laws such as not driving under the influence of MMJ, as well as not selling any medical marijuana they purchase. When it comes to the workplace, an MMJ card holder must adhere to work rules surrounding the policy on marijuana, such as avoiding use while at work and on work property.

According to provisions made to employment regulations, employers do not have the right to “discharge, threaten, refuse, to hire or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against an employee regarding an employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges solely on the basis of such employee’s status as an individual who is certified to use medical marijuana.” This makes it illegal for any employer to fire you solely for having a medical marijuana card, and it can give you the right to legal recourse if they do.

How much can you buy at a dispensary in PA?

Pennsylvania has made it illegal to smoke marijuana flower, so it can only be consumed in forms such as pills, oils, tinctures, topical creams and lotions, liquids, and dried in a vaporizer.

At any given time, a person certified to have medical marijuana can obtain a 30-day supply.

This requirement can pose some problems for those looking to buy their medical marijuana, because the exact amount is unclear according to the Medical Marijuana Act. Since doctors are not prescribing certain amounts or types, it can be ambiguous in how much is too much.

Other states such as New Jersey have put forth specific limits. For example, in New Jersey, a person with a medical marijuana card can purchase two ounces per month. A restriction in amount has not yet been explored in the state of Pennsylvania, which leaves the door open for people to purchase as much as they want.

Medical marijuana has been proven to help people cope and manage a myriad of different health conditions. As more and more states legalize the use of marijuana for medical reasons, laws are sure to become more expansive.

Featured image by Kelly Kiernan on Unsplash

Pennsylvania’s MMJ program is one of the newest in the US. The state’s medical cannabis legislation came into effect in May 2016, and the rollout of the program is progressing well. Medical marijuana dispensaries in the Keystone State began serving PA MMJ card holders in early 2018. New dispensaries are being licensed, and more and more PA residents are getting to avail of the huge benefits of medical marijuana treatment.

In terms of openness and patient-friendliness, PA’s medical cannabis program ranks pretty highly. It is certainly not as laissez-faire as the most liberal MMJ states, such as Oregon and Oklahoma, but it is less restrictive than many of the newest MMJ states.

Where To Buy MMJ In Pennsylvania

You can purchase medical marijuana products in Pennsylvania MMJ dispensaries. PA MMJ dispensaries are located all across the state. Most dispensaries are situated in the largest urban areas, Philadelphia and Pittsburg. But many smaller hubs also have a medical cannabis dispensary or two.

Do PA Dispensaries Sell Flower?

Pennsylvania MMJ dispensaries sell a wide range of marijuana flower, including Indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains. However, flower is only for sale for the purpose of vaporizing. It is illegal to smoke Pennsylvania medical marijuana flower.

As well as flower, Pennsylvania dispensaries also sell:

• Pre-rolls
• Tinctures and liquids
• Oils
• Topicals (such as cremes, ointments, and patches)
• Pills and capsules

How Much Can You Buy At A Dispensary In PA?

There is no legal limit on how much medical marijuana you can purchase at a Pennsylvania dispensary. However, it is illegal to be in possession of more than a 30-day supply of MMJ in the state. Many PA dispensaries impose their own limit on how much of a given product one person can buy at one time. This is to make sure that there is sufficient product available for all patients.

Best Medical Marijuana Dispensaries In Pennsylvania

Let’s take a look at a few dispensary options for those wondering where to buy MMJ in Pennsylvania.

1. The Apothecarium

This PA dispensary has branches in Plymouth Meeting, Lancaster, and Thorndale. Each branch is modern and stylishly decorated. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to help. They offer a nice range of various strains of flower, tinctures, capsules, and concentrates. You can shop online or utilize in-store, drive-thru, or curbside pickup options. The Apothecarium also offers some great birthday special offers.

2. Herbology

Herbology has nine branches in Pennsylvania. They offer a broad range of high-quality, competitively priced MMJ products including flower, tinctures, creams, capsules, and sprays. Like all the great dispensaries, Herbology is dedicated to educating its customers and providing knowledge and understanding alongside its range of medical cannabis products.

3. Just Grown

Just Grown has branches at Dickson City and Edwardsville, just outside Scranton. They offer high-quality medical cannabis products at competitive prices. Their cannabis is grown using sustainable farming methods and they have a tasty menu with a wide range of Sativa, Indica, and hybrid strains of flower.

4. Cure

Cure has branches in Lancaster, Phoenixville, and Philadelphia. The staff at each Cure branch are highly trained MMJ experts. The product range on offer is always diverse, high-quality, and very reasonably priced.

5. Rise Cannabis

Rise has 13 locations across Pennsylvania. All Rise dispensaries have dedicated and knowledgeable staff, so they are a great place to learn about MMJ, whether you are a new patient or you have been availing of MMJ treatment for a few years.

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Pennsylvania MMJ Card?

The qualifying conditions for a Pennsylvania MMJ card include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Anxiety disorders
• Autism
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system
• Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV / AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Intractable seizures
• Multiple sclerosis
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Neuropathies
• Opioid use disorder
• Parkinson’s disease
• PTSD
• Severe chronic or intractable pain
• Sickle cell anemia
• Terminal illness
• Tourette syndrome

Can I Go To A Dispensary Without A Card In Pennsylvania?

You cannot enter a PA dispensary without showing a physical Pennsylvania medical marijuana card.

Can Out-Of-State Cardholders Buy Medical Marijuana In Pennsylvania?

Out-of-state MMJ card holders are not permitted to purchase medical cannabis in Pennsylvania.

How Can I Get A Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card?

You can get a Pennsylvania medical cannabis card by registering on the MMJRecs Online Clinic website. The process is entirely remote and you will consult with your MMJ doctor face-to-face via video chat. Once the doctor has verified that you have a qualifying condition, they will generate a unique MMJ recommendation that you will then access at the Pennsylvania State Patient Portal. The MMJ recommendation costs $159 and the state application fee is $50.

Featured image by ActionVance on Unsplash

With many US states turning over a new leaf when it comes to the medical marijuana debate, it was only a matter of time before many opted in for new laws and regulations surrounding the use of marijuana for designated medical treatments and care.

There are currently several states that have approved the use of medical marijuana without the legalization of recreational marijuana, and even more with both medical and recreational use legalized. With the myriad of new research surrounding the use of marijuana for medical treatment, it’s no wonder that so many states have jumped onto the bandwagon. But what about the Show-Me State? Read on for everything you need to know about Missouri and medical marijuana.

Is MMJ legal in Missouri?

In 2014, Missouri passed the HB 2238 bill, which included new legislation and the conception of the Missouri Hemp Extract Registration Program. Four years later, an amendment was voted on that brought into effect the Medical Marijuana and Veteran Health-care Service Initiative, which led to the legalization of medical marijuana based on state-licensed physicians’ recommendations.

The regulatory authority residing over the use of marijuana as an aid in medical treatment in Missouri is the Missouri Department of Health Senior Services. They are in charge of all application and processing requirements when it comes to obtaining a card for the legal use of medical marijuana.

Patients with medical marijuana cards can purchase a 30-day supply, or up to four ounces. If more is needed, a person will have to get recommendations from more than one certified physician.

Missouri medical card requirements

To receive a medical card in Missouri, you must follow a set of steps (outlined further below). Prior to submitting an application, though, you must confirm that you suffer from one or more of the qualifying conditions.

Qualifying conditions for the use of medical marijuana in Missouri include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Autism
• Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Intractable migraines
• Neuropathy
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other debilitating psychiatric disorders
• Sickle cell disease
• Terminal illness
• Any chronic condition treated with a medication that could lead to dependence
• Chronic conditions causing severe, persistent pain or muscle spasms including:
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Seizures
• Tourette’s syndrome

These conditions must be diagnosed by a certified physician who then recommends the use of marijuana as well as the amount needed to help combat symptoms. Following a doctor’s recommendation, the application process can begin.

How do you get a medical card in Missouri?

Getting a medical card in Missouri is not a difficult process if you follow the steps correctly and gather the correct information. First, a Physician Certification Form must be filled out and submitted. Then, registration will need to take place. Following registration, patients will be required to fill out the application. It can take up to 30 days for applications to be processed.

The patient will need to have their card on them at all times so that they are free to purchase their marijuana from licensed and registered Missouri dispensaries. A separate card, the cultivation card, will also allow a person to grow up to six personal cannabis plants on their property.

Getting a medical card can also be done through the use of telemedicine if a person is unable to see a physician in person. Following the application process, it will be determined whether a person qualifies; it is not guaranteed that applying for a card will mean getting one. For those who do get approved, an MMJ card is valid for one calendar year, so the process will need to be repeated annually.

Can you get fired for having a medical card in Missouri?

Laws surrounding employment in Missouri and medical marijuana cards aren’t as advanced as in other states. For example, a person who is employed can still be forced to undergo marijuana drug tests if it is mandated by the employer for any reason. Missouri cannot provide any assistance or protection for MMJ card holders from legal drug testing through their employer, and discretion is left up to the company when it comes to MMJ card status and usage and drug testing.

There are, however, regulations that prevent the unlawful termination or discrimination against anyone with a medical marijuana card; thus, a person cannot be fired or passed on for hiring based solely on the fact that they have an MMJ card.

There are exceptions to this rule – for example, certain positions that require a more sensitive approach to safety, such as jobs that require the use or carrying of firearms or the performance of life-threatening procedures. The Missouri Act 593 highlights all professions that may not fall under the safety of MMJ regulations when it comes to employment.

The use of medical marijuana has gained widespread attention due to the amount of new research coming out and the ailments MMJ has the potential to help treat. With more and more states evolving to legalize medical marijuana, it could mean good things for those with qualifying conditions.

Featured image by Brittney Butler on Unsplash

In 2018, Oklahoma became the 30^th US state to legalize medical marijuana. The passage of SQ 788 allows licensed physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients who qualify. But the regulation of medical marijuana doesn’t happen all on its own. The state created an agency whose sole job is to help regulate medical marijuana in the state: the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority.

Here’s all you need to know about the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, as well as the rules and regulations surrounding the use of medical marijuana in the state.

What Is The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority?

The OMMA administers the state’s medical marijuana program. It is accountable for all aspects of medical marijuana, including:

• Regulation
• Licensing
• Administration

The OMMA makes sure that it runs all its programs by the state law regulations as a subsidiary of the Oklahoma Department of Health. Its objective is to make sure that the people of Oklahoma are able to safely and responsibly access medical marijuana.

Who Qualifies For Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma?

A medical marijuana card can be obtained through the OMMA for Oklahoma state residents over 18 with the signature of a licensed physician. Some minors are allowed to be issued medical marijuana cards in special circumstances and with the consent of two physicians and their parent or guardian.

How To Apply Through OMMA For An Oklahoma MMJ Card

Before you go through the process of applying for an MMJ card through OMMA, you first need to make sure you qualify. Aside from being over 18 and a resident of the state, some conditions that may qualify you include (but aren’t limited to):

• Chronic pain
• Neuropathic pain disorder
• Severe nausea
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Inflammation
• Terminal illnesses
• Glaucoma
• Muscle spasms
• Crohn’s disease
• HIV/AIDS

Talk to your doctor about your condition and how MMJ may be able to benefit you. They can complete an Adult Patient Physician Recommendation Form available through OMMA for you. There is a $100 application fee, but if you can provide proof that you have Soonercare (Medicaid) or Medicare insurance, then you may be eligible for a reduced application fee of $20.

So how long does it take for OMMA to approve an application? The process is done online and you should find out if you qualify within 30 days. If approved, your MMJ card is mailed to you and then you can use it to legally purchase, grow, and use medical marijuana and medical marijuana products in Oklahoma.

How Long Are MMJ Cards In Oklahoma Valid?

MMJ cards in Oklahoma are good for a period of two years. You can renew your MMJ card within 30 days of its expiration. All you have to do is visit the OMMA website and choose the “returning applicants” button. This will allow you to log in and choose to renew your card.

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Card Rules?

According to the OMMA, Oklahoma residents with an MMJ card can have:

• Up to one ounce of cannabis concentrates such as THC waxes, extracts, and oils
• Up to three ounces of cannabis in a public place
• Up to eight ounces of cannabis in your home
• Up to 72 ounces of marijuana-infused edibles

You can also grow your own medical marijuana at home, but you need an MMJ card from the state to do it legally. With a card, you can have as many as six immature and six mature plants. The property you grow it on must be your own or you must have permission from the owner of the property to grow on it. Your plants may also be grown somewhere that is not visible from the street.

Where To Purchase MMJ in Oklahoma

The program run by OMMA has licensed over 2,000 dispensaries across the state. You can find many places to legally buy MMJ thanks to this program!

Where You Can Use Medical Marijuana

The OMMA wants to make medical marijuana safe and accessible for everyone in the state. There were many factors considered in the process of regulating the use of medical marijuana, including where you can use it. The public consumption laws in Oklahoma allow those with MMJ cards to use medical marijuana at home, but not in public. They also state that residents with an MMJ card can drive with MMJ in their car as long as it is out of the reach of the driver and not taken across state lines.

Featured image by Justin Prine on Unsplash

The current pandemic has caused a lot of government operations to come to a standstill. Many sectors have been hyper-focused on addressing the rising numbers of COVID-19 and efforts to slow transmission of the virus.

One such reform that has taken a back seat is medical marijuana. A planned vote that was supposed to take place in September has been postponed, and it’s possible that it won’t be back on the table until after the much-anticipated 2020 election. So, what does this mean for medical marijuana reform in the United States?

Federal legalization 2020 could have some roadblocks

Prior to the onset of the pandemic, many states had introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana that would allow for reform on the punishments received for those in possession. With the virus causing many committees to adjourn, it’s not clear when they will be available for the vote.

Medical cannabis programs had also been introduced in states including Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Caroline, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, but all have adjourned early, with some bills dying before they could even get off the ground.

The MORE Act

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act was proposed in 2019 in efforts to take cannabis out of the Controlled Substances Act, thus leading to lessened criminal punishments for use and possession for both the future and for those with prior or pending convictions. It would also pave the way for funding and grant programs for small businesses in the industry.

As of writing, 33 states have opted into allowing the use of medical marijuana for a variety of conditions, but with the stall of the marijuana legalization vote, it’s not certain when the others will follow suit.   

What the new marijuana legislation will mean

For many Americans, especially people of color or those in certain disenfranchised communities, the need for legalization of marijuana is particularly important. Statistics have shown that certain communities are more susceptible to facing harsher penalties for marijuana related offences, which in turn threatens their ability to progress throughout their life. For those with drug-related offenses surrounding the use of marijuana, this could mean serving prison time. The new legislation aims to eliminate the chance of that altogether and impose fines instead.

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez found the delay of the vote was based on fear and that the choice to push this particular bill could be racially motivated, and that it’s possible that there are more nefarious actions at play on behalf of the Republican party.

Why is marijuana legalization important?

Studies have shown that the use of medical marijuana can be of great benefit for people suffering from certain ailments such as cancer, chronic pain, mood disorders, and digestive dysfunction. When states continue to keep cannabis on the criminalized list of substances, it’s hard for people to access something that would help them greatly in their battle to a better quality of life.

It’s also important for certain demographics to be unafraid of the use of small amounts of marijuana, because in its current state, many people are convicted of serious offences when it is not necessary. This increase in both fear and risk leads to less regulation, more opportunity for harmful chemicals to be added to marijuana, and increased danger when purchasing. Research has also found that the use of marijuana recreationally among adults was less of a risk in terms of long-term effects than the long-term recreational use of alcohol.

Because there is no definitive timeline for when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over, especially with cases still on the rise in many areas, it’s not likely that the bills will be introduced prior to election day. This delay in voting has also had an impact on the tension between the Republic and Democratic parties, as well the racial divide that the country currently finds itself in. Many communities who fall victim to the unfair marijuana laws are predominantly people of color, as are many people who have already been convicted for cannabis-related offences.

Medical marijuana reform is needed in all states to ensure that there is racial equality and access to proper medical care if someone so requires it, and these bills, if passed, will help bridge those gaps.

Image by Quick PS on Unsplash

There are many health crises currently affecting the United States. But one of the deadliest is the opioid epidemic, which has wreaked havoc across the country. In 2019, more than 130 people died every single day from opioid-related drug overdoses. That amounts to a shocking 47,600 deaths every year.

While the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared opioid abuse a public health crisis in 2017, great strides have not been taken to appropriately tackle the issue.

However, in an effort to decrease opioid usage (mostly through legal prescriptions from physicians), some medical professionals are recommending their patients use medical marijuana (MMJ) products in place of opioid prescriptions to manage pain symptoms. A recent study indicates that US states with access to MMJ have seen up to a 20% drop in certain opioid use.

What is the MMJ effect on opioid use?

Doctors are increasingly suggesting their patients switch from highly addictive prescription opioids to MMJ products because they are much safer, and they are not addictive. The above-mentioned study specifically focused on orthopedic surgeons (who are the third-highest prescribers of opioids); it noted that, in states where MMJ products are legal and available, up to 20% fewer opioids were prescribed.

The fact that MMJ products are accessible makes a huge difference. In states with more restrictive MMJ laws and access to low-THC products only, there wasn’t much of a decrease in opioid prescriptions. So, when MMJ laws are less restrictive and dispensaries are easily accessible, patients have a much easier time using MMJ products to treat their symptoms versus relying on the riskier option of opioids.

Image by Christina Winter on Unsplash: States with access to MMJ have seen decreases in their opioid usage.

Does MMJ decrease opioid use?

If doctors are willing to suggest MMJ products to their patients in lieu of prescribing opioids, MMJ usage can end up decreasing overall opioid usage in the health care industry. Several studies have shown that MMJ products could affect the opioid epidemic; when switching to a cannabis regimen, many patients are able to reduce or completely stop taking their opioid prescriptions.

This means that the cannabis effect on opioid reliance could start to turn the tide of the epidemic – the more people who aren’t introduced to taking opioids in the first place, the fewer incidences of opioid addictions and overdoses will take place. Additionally, opioid users who become addicted often end up turning to even more dangerous drugs (such as heroin) in order to get their fix. This leads to even more deaths – which could be prevented at the outset if a patient were presented with an MMJ option instead of an opioid prescription.

Could MMJ replace prescribed opioid use?

Although there will always be some physicians who prefer prescribing opioids to their patients, it’s possible that MMJ products could replace these more dangerous medications for a lot of people in the future.

Let’s take a look at three main reasons why MMJ products can be a much better alternative to opioids.

MMJ products are much safer

Opioids are highly addictive and frequently result in fatal overdoses. Marijuana isn’t physically addictive, so patients don’t need to ingest more and more to feel the effects. Additionally, individuals don’t have to taper off when stopping MMJ usage; there’s no danger in stopping cold turkey.

Aside from not being addictive, there’s another main physical benefit of MMJ products – there are no side effects! Aside from feelings of euphoria and relaxation, and sometimes an increased appetite, MMJ products don’t have any of the nasty side effects that opioids do (anything from nausea and dizziness to constipation and loss of appetite). Overall, using MMJ products is a much safer, more natural treatment option for pain management.

Image by Margo Amala on Unsplash: Different forms of MMJ (like edibles) make it easier for patients to treat their symptoms without side effects.

MMJ products are easy to use

There is a lot of versatility when it comes to using MMJ products versus opioids. MMJ products can range in their potency and in how they’re ingested (smoked, vaped, in edibles, tinctures, etc.) so that they can be used in a more personalized way for each individual patient.

Each person can work with their physician or with an expert at their local dispensary to come up with an MMJ regimen that works for their particular symptoms and needs.

MMJ products are cheaper

Even though opioids are sometimes covered by health insurance, a month’s supply of pills (such as Oxycontin or Vicodin) can cost anywhere between $40 and $550! People addicted to opioids can go through a month’s supply much more quickly, leading to an incredibly costly habit.

MMJ products can be much cheaper, especially depending on the form that’s most helpful to the patient. Some states also offer discounts for people who own MMJ cards. For example, in California, MMJ cardholders don’t pay sales tax on any of their MMJ purchases, making MMJ a much more cost-effective option than opioid drugs.

As more studies are conducted in the future, it will likely become even more evident that relying more on a cannabis-based treatment regimen can lead to a decrease in opioid usage (and in overall addictions and deaths in the US). Therefore, states that are more supportive of MMJ usage will see opioid cases continue to decrease. Turning to MMJ products could be the catalyst needed to finally end the fight against the opioid epidemic in this country.

Featured image by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash

Marijuana has come a long way in the United States over the past decade. A mere handful of years ago, there was nowhere in the U.S. you could purchase marijuana legally. Today, you can get medical and recreational marijuana in 11 states as well as Washington D.C. And more are sure to be on the way, with several other states putting measures to further legalize marijuana in many states. But can a state recriminalize medical marijuana?

If you’ve been wondering “Can my state make MMJ illegal again?”, here’s what you need to know about where things are likely headed regarding legal marijuana in the current climate.

A Brief History of Marijuana

Back when the United States first came into being, cannabis was widely grown for hemp. As other crops such as cotton became more popular, hemp fell out of fashion and cannabis plants were no longer encouraged to be farmed. But marijuana from the cannabis plant was increasing in popularity. In fact, by the end of the Civil War in the United States, marijuana was a popular addition to tinctures and medicines. By the 1930s, marijuana was quite popular in many communities.

So, when did it start to become criminalized? After the prohibition of alcohol had come and gone, a movement to outlaw marijuana gained traction in the 1930s. By 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act had been passed, essentially making marijuana illegal throughout the United States.

Since the prohibition in the 1930s, the pendulum has begun to swing the other way. More and more states are decriminalizing marijuana, while a few others have made medical marijuana legal. Several have even made marijuana legal for everyone, medical condition or not. But as far as the federal government is concerned, marijuana is still illegal. And that leads to some interesting questions about its legality overall, even if you live in a state that has totally legalized it.

Image by Christina Walker on Unsplash: Many people might be wondering “Will MMJ always be legal in my state?”

Medical Marijuana vs. Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

Conflicts between the federal government and state laws may lead you to think that there’s a difference between medical marijuana and marijuana, but the truth is that they really only differ by legal definitions.

Medical marijuana is used by people with certain qualifying medical conditions and is purchased at MMJ dispensaries that are overseen by the state government. “Regular” marijuana, on the other hand, is simply marijuana for non-medical use. It’s also called “recreational marijuana” since users do not need to have proof of a medical condition to use it.

Legalization, Decriminalization, and Medical Marijuana

There’s really no set definition to any term regarding the use or legalization of marijuana in the United States. However, there’s a broad way to understand the difference between the terms:

• Decriminalization – Many states do not allow medical or recreational marijuana, but they have decriminalized it. That means that there is generally no prison or jail time for those who possess limited quantities of marijuana. That doesn’t mean there are no legal penalties in place; it simply means you may not go to jail for having possession of marijuana.
• Legalization – For the states that have totally legalized marijuana, there are no government-enforced penalties for possessing or using marijuana. This often includes growing it in your own home, but rules vary from state to state.
• Medical marijuana – States that have approved marijuana for medical use allows doctors to recommend the use of marijuana to treat certain conditions, which differ from state to state.

Can MMJ Be Made Illegal Again In My State?

It’s important to understand that, as previously mentioned, the federal government still considers marijuana illegal. In fact, according to the federal government, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, which means it has, in their eyes, no medical use with an increased potential for abuse. That puts it in the same category as other drugs such as heroin, and in a more restrictive category than drugs such as methamphetamines and cocaine, which are Schedule 2.

Image by Wesley Gibbs on Unsplash: Will I always have access to MMJ in my state, you may ask? Chances are good that many states will only continue to move forward with MMJ legislation.

At any time, Congress could legalize marijuana, but as it stands now it’s a question answered state by state. If you live in a state with medical marijuana, legal marijuana, or even decriminalized marijuana, the laws can change at any time with a bill approved by the state’s government.

Marijuana has an interesting history. So can a state recriminalize medical marijuana? Well, while there’s always a chance of history repeating itself and local and state laws sliding backward, the current climate points toward more states getting on the legalization train.

Featured image by Roberto Valdivia on Unsplash

Is MMJ use common in the U.S.? The answer is an emphatic yes! Medical marijuana is bringing life-enhancing symptom relief to people who suffer from a wide variety of medical conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, migraines, chronic pain, muscle spasms, cancer symptoms, and glaucoma. The popularity of MMJ is increasing steadily, with new MMJ states coming on board regularly. So which states have the highest percentage of medical marijuana users in the U.S.?

Which states consume the most MMJ is an interesting topic, because the answers provide an interesting insight into how cultural mores and attitudes, as well as legislative and business practices, differ state by state. Finding out which state has the highest percentage of medical marijuana users in the U.S. is a valuable learning experience that can teach us a lot about life in America in 2020.

What Is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant. It consists of the dried fruit, flowers, leaves, and stalks of the cannabis plant. Marijuana has been taken for thousands of years for medicinal, recreational, and spiritual purposes. The drug has mind-altering properties as well as physically relaxing and energizing properties. Many forms of marijuana are available that have different effects, generally dictated by the amounts and ratios of the most active compounds, THC and CBD, present in the strain.

Image by StayRegular on Pixabay: MMJ use is common in the U.S.

A Brief History Of The Legal Status Of Marijuana In The U.S.

How popular is MMJ use in America? The answer to this question has varied greatly over time – mainly because legal status, and therefore availability, has changed over time.

The cannabis plant is native to central Asia and the Indian subcontinent and it has been used in and around that part of the world for at least 5,500 years. Marijuana was introduced to the western world by an Irish doctor called William Brooke O’Shaunessey, who brought it to Britain from Bengal in 1842.

Marijuana was used commonly in the United States for medicinal purposes until 1911, when states began to make it illegal. The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act essentially prohibited marijuana use at the federal level. In 1973, states began to tentatively decriminalize the use of marijuana while maintaining its illegal status. After this, more and more states began to decriminalize the drug. But it wasn’t until 1996 that the first state legalized marijuana for medical use, and not until 2012 that the first state finally made marijuana fully legal for all purposes again.

Which States Legalized MMJ First?

California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. The first state to fully legalize recreational marijuana, in 2012, was Washington State, closely followed in the same year by Colorado.

Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

As of 2020, 33 states and the District of Columbia have fully legalized medical marijuana, and 11 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana. In medical marijuana states, the qualifying conditions and available product ranges vary state by state. They range from the highly liberal – such as Oklahoma, which allows MMJ usage for any medical condition for which a doctor deems it beneficial – to the more restricted, such as Delaware and Alaska.

Image by Voltamax on Pixabay: MMJ qualifying conditions vary state by state.

Which States Have The Highest Numbers Of MMJ Users?

How popular is MMJ use in America? This is a question that depends greatly on which state you are talking about. California has the highest number of medical marijuana users in the U.S. by a long way, with approximately one million users. Michigan comes in second place with over a quarter of a million users. Oklahoma, which only recently legalized MMJ, deserves an honorable mention because it has a very high per capita usage, which is growing all the time thanks to its liberal, well-implemented and competitive medical marijuana program.

Which States Will Legalize Marijuana Next?

Several states seem to be near to fully legalizing marijuana in the next few years. The most likely to fully legalize next are Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and Missouri. The states that seem most likely to legalize medical marijuana in the near future are Wyoming and Kentucky.

Is There Any Progress Towards the Legalization Of MMJ On A Federal Level?

Legalization on a federal level is a matter of when, not if. It’s not a huge political issue at the moment, and probably won’t ever be again, because states have made their own marijuana laws, and so legalization on a federal level is really not essential anymore. However, the disparity between out-of-date federal law and the reality that well over half of all states have legalized medical marijuana (and an increasing amount of states also have legal recreational marijuana) means that legalization on a federal level is certainly on the horizon.

How To Apply For A Medical Marijuana Letter

The best way to apply for a medical marijuana letter is to arrange an online consultation with an MMJ doctor in your state on MMJRecs.com.

Featured image by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

The laws surrounding both recreational and medical marijuana (MMJ) are constantly changing. Just about every major election sees alterations to which states currently allow their citizens to use marijuana recreationally and/or for medicinal purposes. Because of this perpetual flux, many people are often left wondering, “Can a state recriminalize recreational marijuana?” The answer is (potentially) yes. At this time, cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, which means there’s always the possibility that currently “legalized” states can revert to criminalizing marijuana usage. Keep reading for more information about the laws surrounding recreational marijuana.

What are the current marijuana laws?

Marijuana (or cannabis) is a mixture of dried flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant. It can create psychoactive or mind-altering effects because of a chemical called THC and can be consumed in a variety of different ways (such as cigarettes, water pipes, vaporizers, and edibles). When using marijuana products, people can experience feelings of euphoria and relaxation.

There are currently 11 states in the U.S. where recreational marijuana is legal:

• Washington
• Alaska
• California
• Oregon
• Colorado
• Nevada
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Vermont
• Maine
• Massachusetts

Currently, most states still have certain restrictions on using and growing marijuana even though it’s legal. For example, recreational users are permitted to carry one ounce of flower or eight grams of cannabis at a time. There are still some acts that can result in criminal charges (including some selling activities or unlicensed growing operations), depending on the state. As for MMJ usage, there are 33 states that have made medical marijuana usage legal. MMJ can be used in the treatment of a large variety of conditions – everything from post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders to glaucoma and nausea.

Image by Greta Scholderle Moller on Unsplash: There’s always a possibility that states could recriminalize recreational marijuana.

Can my state make recreational marijuana illegal again?

Because of the changing laws, you might be wondering if the state you live in could potentially revert to making recreational marijuana illegal again. There is always the chance that laws could be passed to make marijuana illegal if lawmakers think it’s in the public’s best interest or if voters decide to vote out these laws. In 2018, the governor of Colorado (one of the first states to make recreational cannabis legal in the US) said the state would always be open to considering reversing the law if it was deemed necessary.

So if you’re pondering, “Can recreational marijuana be made illegal again in my state?” there’s always the chance this could happen. However, because of the general public’s support of passing these laws in the first place, it would be somewhat unlikely for a state to completely reverse its policy regarding recreational marijuana use.

Should I get an MMJ card instead of using recreationally?

If you have the question “Will recreational marijuana always be legal in my state?”, it makes sense that you’re concerned you might not always have access to legal cannabis in the future. If that fear is there, you might want to consider getting an MMJ card. If you have physical or emotional symptoms that could be alleviated with the use of MMJ products, you could be eligible for an MMJ card (if it’s legal in your state).

There are lots of benefits to having an MMJ card versus just using marijuana recreationally, including:

• The option of possessing larger amounts of product
• Getting to skip sales tax on MMJ products in some states
• Having fewer restrictions for growing your own MMJ

These benefits are great if you’re going to be traveling or if you can’t get to a licensed dispensary very easily. It’s also helpful if you need to try multiple strains or different forms in order to most effectively treat your medical condition. There’s also an added advantage of having more rights with an MMJ letter. If you’re always carrying your MMJ card with you when you’re in possession of MMJ products, it’s likely that you won’t face any serious issues with law enforcement, since you can show your card as proof of your rights.

Image by Add Weed on Unsplash: There are many benefits to owning an MMJ card when it comes to buying cannabis.

How do you apply for an MMJ card?

Having to constantly worry “Will I always have access to recreational marijuana in my state?” can lead to a lot of stress. To avoid any possible future changes in the law, if you’re eligible, apply for an MMJ card so that you’ll still have continuous access to marijuana products. Look for specific regulations surrounding MMJ usage in your state and then head to MMJRecs to get evaluated virtually by a medical professional. If your medical condition allows you to qualify, you can receive an official medical marijuana recommendation, ID card, and grower’s permit for one reasonable flat rate from MMJRecs. It’s unlikely that medical marijuana laws will be rolled back, so having access to these products means you’re more likely to be protected going forward.

There’s always a chance that your individual state could go back and recriminalize recreational marijuana. If this happens, don’t worry – you still have options! Consider applying for an MMJ card so you’ll continue to have access to cannabis products that can help treat a variety of physical or emotional issues. Just make sure to keep paying attention to the laws in your state so that your recreational or MMJ use will always fall within the legal realm.

Featured image by Roberto Valdivia on Unsplash

Since Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana (MMJ) back in August 2018, the state has quickly become home to one of the largest populations of MMJ users in the entire country. In fact, with more than 210,000 MMJ patients as of November 2019, MMJ users account for nearly 5% of the state’s population. These numbers also reflect that Oklahoma has the biggest MMJ program throughout the whole U.S. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) is the board that authorizes MMJ applications, and their offices have basically been overrun by patients looking to get approved for the usage of MMJ products.

What you need to know about Oklahoma medical marijuana in 2020

With more MMJ patients than in any other state, the Oklahoma MMJ industry is booming with sales of more than $350 million through the end of last year. So, why is the market thriving so much more than in other parts of the country? There are a few reasons, one being that Oklahoma is pretty close to a free-market system. This means that there are no caps on the number of business licenses that can be awarded to dispensaries. Municipalities are also prohibited from enacting zoning restrictions, so it’s difficult to actually prevent dispensaries from opening in certain areas. As of late last year, the state had issued licenses for more than 2,000 dispensaries, 1,400 processors, and 4,900 growers. With this type of growth, some people estimate that the state’s revenue could reach as high as $700 million a year in sales from MMJ products in the future.

But perhaps one of the biggest factors that affects Oklahoma MMJ in 2020 is that doctors in the state are permitted to recommend MMJ products for whatever condition they deem fit. This allows for MMJ patients to have more flexibility in receiving the products they need to help alleviate their physical or mental health symptoms. Bypassing stricter policies in other states means that Oklahomans can get MMJ products to help with a wider range of illnesses and medical conditions.

Image by GAD-BM on Pixabay: It’s never been easier to get access to medical marijuana in Oklahoma.

Are there new laws around Oklahoma medical cannabis in 2020?

There will likely be new regulations and adjustments made to the MMJ laws in the state over the course of 2020. There’s a bill in the works called SAFE Banking Act, which would prohibit federal entities from punishing banks who are providing services to cannabis-related businesses. At this point, there are still regulations working against medical marijuana businesses from using basic banking services (mostly because marijuana is still illegal on a federal level). Some banks are still allowing these businesses to use their services, but more unrestricted regulations could help remedy this issue entirely (and would most likely just lead to even more prospering MMJ businesses and higher sales).

There will also likely be legislation that will affect product labeling. There are pretty strict standards in place regarding the packaging, labeling, and testing of marijuana products, but many people are guessing that there will be even more regulations put into law to ensure consumer safety overall. Companies will also most likely need to track their products with stricter regulations from ‘seed-to-sale’ for this reason as well.

Another major change will be surrounding the drug-testing aspect of medical marijuana. House Bill 2779, which will go before the legislature in February, would alter language regarding employment protections for MMJ cardholders. The measure currently states that employers may not take action against an MMJ cardholder based solely on their status as an MMJ user or the results of a drug test. The new bill would add language so that employers are banned from hiring or firing MMJ users unless a failure to do so would cause an employer the potential to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law. While these laws could affect some aspects of an MMJ users’ experience, it’s likely that the Oklahoma MMJ population will just continue to grow throughout the state.

Image by FutureFilmWorks on Pixabay: An MMJ card can allow you to grow your own cannabis products for medical purposes.

How can you get an MMJ recommendation in Oklahoma in 2020?

MMJ products can alleviate symptoms from a large number of medical conditions (everything from cancer and eating disorders to HIV and glaucoma). If you and your doctor think you can find a benefit from using these products, you can head to MMJRecs. They can do a virtual assessment to help see if you’d qualify for an MMJ card. Then they can provide an official medical marijuana recommendation, ID card, and grower’s permit all for one flat rate. The best part is that you never have to leave the comfort of your home to get it all taken care of. Plus, with an MMJ card, you’re permitted to possess:

• Up to 8 ounces of marijuana in your residence
• Up to 3 ounces of marijuana on your person outside of the home
• Up to 1 ounce of concentrated marijuana
• Up to 72 ounces of edibles
• Up to 6 mature plants
• Up to 6 seedling plants

If you’re thinking about getting an MMJ card in Oklahoma in 2020, now is the perfect time. With the immense popularity of medical marijuana in Oklahoma, your access to safe and reliable products is also growing. Even with any upcoming potential legislature, you’ll still be able to get all the many benefits of an MMJ card today!

Featured image by Stonepillow_B on Pixabay

What is the fastest-growing medical marijuana state in the US? Only a few years ago, a lot of people thought that Oklahoma would never even get as far as legalizing medical marijuana. But it may surprise you to learn that Oklahoma is the nation’s fastest-growing MMJ state. In the space of fewer than eighteen months, MMJ has been fully legalized in the Sooner State, and the remarkable medical marijuana boom in Oklahoma has amazed industry insiders.

Since Oklahoma voted to legalize medical cannabis in June 2018, the OK MMJ industry has grown at a breakneck pace. Oklahoma has been the fastest-growing medical marijuana state bar none in 2019. The state’s MMJ patient uptake has been enormous – as of September 2019, 180,000 patient licenses have been issued. That is roughly 5% of the state’s population!

Why is the Oklahoma MMJ Industry Growing so Quickly?

In many ways, Oklahoma is a medical marijuana state like no other. The state has a pro-free-market ethos and especially values personal freedom and responsibility, and small government. This Oklahoma mindset has allowed the local MMJ industry to flourish and grow unencumbered by excessive red tape or overzealous local government interference. The only way the state authorities have interfered with the OK MMJ industry has been in imposing high quality-control standards.

There are several reasons why Oklahoma is the fastest-growing MMJ state in the US.

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Provides Huge Health Benefits

The medical marijuana debate in Oklahoma was, for years, mainly a hot-button political issue. Virtue-signaling and point-scoring tended to get in the way of real, productive, science-based conversation. But since MMJ has been legalized, political arguing has given way to a widespread acceptance of the medicinal value of medical marijuana in Oklahoma.

Knowledge of the most up-to-date science – which shows how medical marijuana can help people who suffer from glaucoma, chronic pain, insomnia, and many other physical and psychological ailments – is now ubiquitous in the state. Oklahomans have become convinced of the positive health and quality-of-life benefits of medical marijuana.

MMJ in Oklahoma is an Alternative to Opioids and Prescription Medications

Oklahoma, like many states, has seen an opioid crisis take hold among certain sections of its population. More and more people have come to rely on opioids and prescription painkillers to help them cope with chronic pain conditions. These opioids and prescription painkillers can do great damage to a person’s liver and have negative effects on overall physical and mental health. In Oklahoma medical marijuana has proven to be a healthy, natural alternative medicine for these people.

Competition is Fierce, So Quality is High

The huge growth in the medical marijuana market in Oklahoma has led to a massive number of MMJ businesses opening in the state. As of September 2019, 2,000 dispensary licenses have been issued, as well as 4,000 growing licenses. The result of this enormous boom in Oklahoma MMJ businesses has been a fierce and healthy competition that is very good for MMJ patients.

With so many businesses vying for a share of the market, product quality is extremely high. The standard of medical marijuana produced in Oklahoma is second to none and dispensaries in the state are some of the best, most cutting-edge, and most educational in the US.

OK MMJ Dispensaries Put an Emphasis on Education

With such intense competition between dispensaries, companies need to set themselves apart. This is done by offering the best service possible, and a big part of this comes in the form of an emphasis on education. The best Oklahoma dispensaries offer their customers a rich and up-to-date education on all things MMJ.

Jazimine Ayres, from Green Country Bud dispensary in South Tulsa, says her main aim is to get to know her customers so well that she can educate them on exactly what MMJ products will suit them and their unique needs the best.

Many OK MMJ dispensaries are highly education-focused.

Oklahoma Has No List of Qualifying Medical Conditions to Get an MMJ License

A big reason why Oklahoma is the fastest-growing MMJ state in America is its lack of an imposed list of qualifying medical conditions. Oklahoma leaves prescription of medical marijuana completely at the discretion of the examining medical professional. This means that a physician can prescribe a patient an OK MMJ license for any medical condition that they deem would be helped by medical cannabis use.

How Can People Get an MMJ Card in Oklahoma?

The quickest and easiest way to get an Oklahoma medical marijuana license is to have an online consultation with a medical professional at MMJ Recs. Using this simple method, you can arrange a consultation and have your own OK MMJ card in no time at all.

Oklahoma has only had an MMJ industry for less than two years, but in that time the rapid growth of medical marijuana in OK has been nothing short of remarkable. Long may it continue!

Oklahoma has always been known as a state that jumps headfirst into new ventures. Right after it became a state in 1907, it produced the most oil of any state or territory in the United States. Then, during the time of the Oklahoma Land Run, cities with as many as 10,000 residents popped up overnight. To say that Oklahomans take an enterprising idea and run with it in an understatement – and medical marijuana is no different. Here’s how the medical marijuana trade has impacted the state, and what may be in store now MMJ is legal in Oklahoma.

Medical Marijuana in OK: One Year and Going Strong

It may have been a shock to many people that Oklahoma was ready for a cutting-edge medical marijuana bill to pass, but pass it did. State Question 788 was passed in Oklahoma in 2018 with 57% support in the state.

At the end of the first year, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority reported that over 160,000 applications had been processed so far. Business has grown rapidly in the past year as well, with over 6,000 commercial business licenses issued across the state. The jobs that have been created as a result are still being measured.

The ways we see medical marijuana affecting Oklahoma have been positive so far.

The Tax Implications of 2019 MMJ Laws in Oklahoma

The first month that Oklahoma collected taxes on medical marijuana, which was November of 2018, they collected about $1,300 in sales tax alone. According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, that number has increased each month since – and in June of 2019, over $2 million in taxes had been collected on medical marijuana. That makes one thing clear: medical marijuana in OK is bringing in a lot of money.

Now MMJ is Legal in Oklahoma: Far-Reaching Impact

The boom experienced in taxes and medical marijuana licenses isn’t the only thing being impacted by 2019 MMJ laws in Oklahoma. In schools, restaurants, and other types of businesses we see other examples of medical marijuana affecting Oklahoma (in a positive way!).

Restaurants around the state are looking at ways they can get in on the MMJ action by including THC and CBD in the products they offer. Many restaurants are creating trendy products for consumption that marry the new marijuana laws with their culinary skills.

As far as schools are concerned, the law does not allow dispensaries to be within a certain distance of K–12 schools, but colleges and universities see no such restrictions. This had led to a number of dispensaries popping up very close to university property, which helps to draw customers to the businesses they are surrounded by as well.

Even the way doctors are treating their patients has changed since they now need to understand how best to treat their patients now that medical marijuana is an option.

Now MMJ is legal in Oklahoma, dispensaries have popped up all over, including near colleges and universities.

How to Get Your OK Medical Marijuana Card

If you live in Oklahoma and have not yet jumped on the medical marijuana train, then you might be missing out. The determination is made by your doctor as to whether you would benefit from medical marijuana; there are no formal qualifying conditions for an OK medical marijuana card, but some of the conditions that are commonly prescribed MMJ include:

• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Chronic Pain
• Glaucoma
• Inflammation
• Wasting syndrome
• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Crohn’s disease
• Severe nausea
• Neuropathic pain disorders
• Muscle spasms

Once you see a doctor about prescribing medical marijuana, then you can apply online through the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority website. You’ll be asked for proof of identity and residency of the state as well as personal information such as phone number, birth date, address, and physician information. You must also submit a small, full-face photo like those found in a passport. Once you submit the application and pay the $100 fee, then you wait to hear back within 14 days. If approved, your card is valid for two years.

What You Can Legally Obtain with an OK Medical Marijuana Card

Once you have your medical marijuana card in hand, you can go to a dispensary to legally purchase products of your choice. According to Oklahoma law, you can have:

• Up to 72 ounces of edibles
• Up to eight ounces of marijuana in your home
• Up to three ounces of marijuana on your person when out of the house
• Up to one ounce of concentrates
• Up to six mature plants and six seedlings in your home

Oklahoma is once again leading the nation when it comes to change, and the 2019 MMJ laws in Oklahoma make that even clearer. Now MMJ is legal in Oklahoma, it may change the landscape even more than the oil boom!

As more states legalize medical marijuana (MMJ), its usage is becoming more prevalent throughout the United States. This is no more evident than in the great state of Oklahoma, which is quickly becoming one of the more progressive states in the world of MMJ legislation.

Medical marijuana in Oklahoma officially became legal in August 2018. Because MMJ can be used to help alleviate or completely lift some symptoms of many challenging and bothersome health conditions, many people have jumped at the chance to become Oklahoma MMJ patients.

If you’re wondering how many people use MMJ in Oklahoma, the answer is about 151,000 (which ends up being about 3.5% of the state’s population). Since coming into effect, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (or OMMA) has been swept away with how many applications they’ve been receiving (sometimes up to 3,500 a week!). Out of the 33 states that have some form of legal MMJ legislation, Oklahoma has quickly become one of the biggest, making it the state with more MMJ patients per capita than any other state. According to some accounts, there are around 3.5 million total MMJ users throughout the whole country. In 2018, states with similarly large numbers include California (around 900,000 MMJ cardholders), Michigan (around 269,000), and Florida (around 108,000).

Because the demand for medical marijuana has grown so significantly, Oklahoma MMJ patients have helped to spur a growth in the number of dispensaries as well (around 1,500 dispensary licenses have already been approved). Furthermore, the increase of Oklahoma MMJ patients meant additional legislation needed to be passed. In August 2019, OMMA will institute more changes that were brought about recently by lawmakers. First, Oklahoma veterans with a 100% disability will only pay $20 for their MMJ card (versus the standard $100 fee for other applicants). Second, law enforcement will now have electronic access to all information found on an individual’s MMJ card (which includes a headshot picture, expiration date, and unique 24-digit ID). There will also be changes to the state’s programs that have to do with laboratory testing, electronic tracking systems, and any kind of short-term licenses.

The rest of the regulations for medical marijuana in Oklahoma will be upheld. These include your ability to possess specific amounts of marijuana for medicinal purposes. You may have:

• Up to 8 ounces of marijuana in your home
• Up to 3 ounces of marijuana on your person outside of your residence
• Up to 1 ounce of concentrated marijuana
• Up to 72 ounces of edible marijuana (also known as edibles)
• Up to 6 mature plants
• Up to 6 seedling plants

There are consequences if you don’t have a legitimate MMJ card. Without one, you could get a fine-only misdemeanor charge (for having up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis). When deciding where to buy MMJ in Oklahoma, remember that you can purchase from state-licensed dispensaries only (you’re not permitted to purchase from a dealer or from another MMJ cardholder.) You also have the option of cultivating and growing your own marijuana plants, as long as you follow the restrictions listed above.

MMJ patients in Oklahoma can qualify for an MMJ card if they suffer from a variety of medical conditions. Many people have found that their symptoms improve or are less prominent with the use of medical marijuana. Some of these qualifying conditions can be:

• Chronic pain
• Cancer (and other terminal illnesses)
• Seizure disorders
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Crohn’s disease

People who have symptoms of severe nausea, spasticity, muscle spasms, and inflammation can also potentially benefit from using MMJ. In order to apply for an MMJ card in Oklahoma, you are required to be evaluated by a physician who can validate your medical condition and determine that you could benefit from using MMJ products. If you don’t have a trusted medical professional in your life, you can always use the services of MMJRecs. They can connect you virtually with a licensed physician who can help you complete your application. This can be a great option for people who find it tough to leave their homes to make it to in-person doctor appointments.

If you’re interested in joining the growing number of Oklahoma MMJ patients, you can quickly get started on your application, which can be found on the omma.ok.gov website. The application requires you to provide some information such as your name, residence and mailing address, date of birth, telephone number, email address, and patient signature. You’ll also need to include a copy of the Adult Patient Physician Recommendation Form that your doctor needs to fill out with their information (they’ll also need to sign it.) In order to show that you’re an Oklahoma citizen, you also must show proof of residency. This can be with a digital, color copy of one of the following:

• Oklahoma driver’s license
• Oklahoma ID card
• Oklahoma voter identification card
• A utility bill for the calendar month preceding the date of application (cell phone or Internet bills are not valid)
• A residential property deed
• A current rental agreement for residential property

To complete your application, OMMA also needs you to provide proof of identity. This can be with your driver’s license, ID card, U.S. passport, or tribal identification card. Finally, you’ll need to submit a clear, color, full-face digital photograph of yourself.

Your application will cost $100, unless you’ve covered by Medicaid (SoonerCare) or have Medicare – then your fee will only be $20. After you submit your application online, OMMA will review it and send out an official letter if you’ve been approved. This should happen around 14 days from the time you sent in your application. MMJ cards are valid for two years. After your two years is up, you will need to submit a brand-new application with the help of a physician again.

Join the growing number of people experiencing the benefits of medical marijuana in Oklahoma, and apply for your very own card today!