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Missouri has finally legalized recreational marijuana, and cannabis products are now available to all Missouri residents. While this is exciting news for cannabis enthusiasts, many industry experts advise getting your medical card even in a recreational state like Missouri.

So what exactly are the reasons to get a medical card in a recreational state? In this article, we’ll cover all the main benefits of becoming a medical patient in a recreational state and explain why many of the experts agree that it’s the right move.

A Missouri Medical Card Can Mean BIG Savings On Taxes

One of the most common reasons why pot users end up getting their medical card in a recreational state is to avoid recreational taxes. In nearly all recreational states, there is an excise tax that is applied to all recreational cannabis purchases. This tax can be quite significant- the average is about 15%, but it can be as high as over 30% in some states!

As you could imagine, these recreational taxes add up very quickly. Medical patients usually make up for the cost of their medical card within just a few trips to the dispensary by avoiding the high excise taxes. Purchasing with a medical card instead of recreationally typically ends up saving patients hundreds, if not thousands of dollars every year! In Missouri, recreational cannabis products are subject to a 15% excise tax, while medical cannabis products are only subject to a 4% sales tax. This means that medical patients can save up to 11% on their purchases, which can add up to substantial savings over time.

A Missouri Cannabis Card Can Provide Legal Protection

Many agree that the legal protection you have as a medical patient is one of the most important benefits and main reasons to get a medical card in a recreational state.

Having your card proves that you have a legitimate medical need to possess cannabis. This proof can help you in many legal situations, including run-ins with law enforcement. As long as you possess an amount that is within your limit as a medical patient and not breaking any other laws such as driving under the influence of weed or selling your medical products, you’ll most likely be protected legally.

The additional protection that medical patients have also extends into the workplace. While it’s ultimately up to the employer to determine their policy on cannabis use, in many cases employees will be allowed to use cannabis outside of work and test positive for THC in drug screenings as long as they have a medical card. If you are subject to drug screenings at your place of work, using cannabis recreationally without a medical card can be very risky. We always advise checking with your employer regarding their policy on cannabis just to be safe.

Missouri Medical Marijuana Laws Allow You to Purchase & Carry More Pot

In most states that have both medical and recreational cannabis programs, the allotment for medical patients is usually significantly higher than for recreational users. This holds true for Missouri as well, given that medical patients have an allotment of 6 ounces in a 30-day period while recreational users are limited to just 3 ounces in the same period of time.

So what exactly is your allotment and why is it important? Your allotment is the amount of cannabis that you can legally purchase or possess within a certain time frame. Having a higher allotment will give you the peace of mind that you will be far less likely to run out of cannabis each month, and give you the freedom to carry and travel with much more product. This is especially true in Missouri considering the medical allotment is double that of the recreational allotment, which is a substantial amount more.

Missouri Medical Marijuana Laws Mean Lower or No Age Restrictions

Another important difference between medical and recreational programs is age restrictions. Unlike recreational marijuana programs that require individuals to be at least 21 years old to purchase cannabis, medical marijuana programs do not have strict age restrictions. Patients with valid medical marijuana cards can purchase and use marijuana at any age, as long as they have a parent or guardian who acts as their caregiver.

This is a crucial difference between medical and recreational programs, especially for parents with children who have medical conditions that can benefit from cannabis treatment. By obtaining a medical marijuana card for their child, parents can legally access and administer cannabis products to their children without fear of breaking the law. This can provide peace of mind to parents who want to use cannabis to treat their child's medical condition but are concerned about the potential legal consequences.

To summarize, even though recreational marijuana is now legal in Missouri, there are still several reasons why obtaining a medical marijuana card is beneficial. The card can help patients save money on taxes, provide legal protection, allow for the purchase and possession of larger amounts of cannabis, and eliminate or reduce age restrictions for patients.

It's also worth noting that while recreational marijuana is now legal in Missouri, there may still be limitations on where and when it can be consumed. For example, smoking marijuana may be prohibited in public spaces or in the workplace, and individuals may need to be mindful of their consumption in certain situations to avoid potential legal consequences.

In conclusion, Missouri's recent legalization of recreational marijuana has opened up new opportunities for individuals to access cannabis products. However, obtaining a medical marijuana card can still provide significant benefits to patients, including cost savings, legal protection, and increased access to cannabis. For individuals who want to use cannabis for medical purposes or who want to eliminate age restrictions for themselves or their children, obtaining a medical marijuana card is a wise choice.