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In August 2012, 18 states in the United States and the District of Columbia made medical marijuana legal. This law permitted cannabis products to be cultivated at home or bought in dispensaries. Today, medical marijuana is still very much in use in Lafayette and other cities of the 36 states where medical marijuana is legal.
Medical marijuana comes in various forms, such as; buds, tinctures, concentrates, and edibles. These products may vary in price based on their location or concentration. If you wonder how much medical marijuana costs, this article covers all you need to know.
What is Medical Marijuana, and What is it Used For?
Medical marijuana or medical cannabis is a derivative of the Cannabis sativa plant used to manage the symptoms caused by some medical conditions. A physician usually recommends them for patients with these conditions.
The use of medical cannabis became famous due to several studies that show its benefit for managing illnesses. The primary use of medical marijuana in the United States is to curb severe pain. This pain can be from headaches or chronic health conditions. Some conditions where medical Marijuana is administered are:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms
- HIV/AIDS
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Glaucoma
- Nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Hepatitis C
It is important to note that you are only permitted to use medical marijuana irrespective of your medical condition if it is legal in your state. So before going into a dispensary, consider checking your state’s regulations about marijuana for medical use. After confirmation, you will be given a “marijuana green card,” which allows you to buy this substance from authorized dispensaries. And now, a lot of states have already decriminalized the usage of medical marijuana. As a result, in states such as Texas, you must obtain a Texas medical marijuana card to obtain it legally.
What is the difference between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis?
Although both medical and recreational cannabis come from the same source, their difference is in their respective usage and concentration of THC.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the high sensation. The THC content in recreational cannabis is higher than that of medical cannabis. Therefore, recreational marijuana is used to trigger the feeling of intoxication, while medical marijuana is used for medical or therapeutic purposes.
There are cases where the distinction between these two kinds of cannabis gets blurred when medical cannabis is taken to get intoxicated. At the same time, recreational cannabis is taken for supposedly medical reasons.
What Is the Typical Cost of Medical Marijuana?
Below is a breakdown of the typical prices of the different forms of medical marijuana products at standard dispensaries.
Buds
It is the smokable part of the cannabis plant. Before smoking, this flower has to be dried and cured. The cost of marijuana buds varies due to location, quality, and weight. The typical cost of a gram of buds ranges between $5-$20, while an ounce of this product can be within $200-$400.
Concentrates
Medical Marijuana can also be used in its concentrated form. Cannabis concentrates are variations of the cannabis plant with a high THC level. It usually exists in buttery or honey form and is more potent than buds. Medical concentrates are generally sold in half-gram and sometimes grams. This quantity usually costs between $20-$60.
Edibles
Edibles are marijuana products that patients who do not or cannot smoke can be ingested. Brownies, pizzas, ice cream, and other edible substances can be laced with this variation of medical marijuana to allow easy ingestion. Unlike different variations of cannabis, edibles are measured by dosage, which determines their price. They usually cost between $2-$5.
Tinctures
Tinctures are simply cannabis plants soaked in strong alcohol and are strained; hence their availability in one-ounce bottles with a dropper. Tinctures can be taken orally or sublingually (under the tongue). Depending on their potency, tincture bottles can be gotten for $15-$50.
Note that your bill may include additional charges for rolling paper, vapes, and other accessories. Most dispensaries offer these items to first-time patients as complementary products.
It is essential to know that medical marijuana is not prescribed but only recommended by doctors. The cost of these medical marijuana recommendations varies in different states, and in some cases, they will have to be renewed annually. The general cost of recommendation for new patients is between $80-$200. Renewal of recommendation, on the other hand, is relatively cheaper. Nevertheless, ensure that you make the necessary inquiries before applying for a medical marijuana card. This will save you a lot of trouble down the line.