Medicinal Marijuana is a general term attributed to Marijuana in states that have passed Medical Marijuana (MMJ) laws. It is often perceived that “Medical Marijuana” is somehow different or better than “regular” Marijuana. The legal nature of MMJ can improve the general standards of growing and processing marijuana, which can in some cases improve the quality over Marijuana purchased on the black market. However, there is still plenty of very high quality Marijuana available on the black market. Click here to see a list of all the states that have passed Medical Marijuana Laws.
Medical Marijuana Laws
California was the first state to pass a medical marijuana law in 1996. Since then, 22 other states and Washington D.C. have also passed MMJ laws, and this list is growing each year. The details of the laws vary from state to state, with some states allowing qualified patients to access to all types of Marijuana, while others allow only certain forms of Marijuana for patients. Each states medical marijuana laws also differ with regards to the “qualifying medical conditions” that allow an individual to become an approved MMJ patient and access MMJ.
Home Growing Medical Marijuana
Some states allow patients to grow a limited amount of marijuana in their home, while others do not allow home growing. Limitations are typically limited to 6 “mature” (a plant that has at least started flowering and growing marijuana buds) plants and 12 “immature” (plants without any flowers or “buds”) plants per mmj patient. Some states allow additional amounts to be grown per patient if specified by a doctor.
MMJ Collectives & Cooperatives
Some states allow for the formation of marijuana “Collectives” and “Cooperatives”, which allow patients to collectively grow marijuana and exchange, “donate” or “sell” it to other members of their collective. Members growing the marijuana for other members of their collective may “sell” it for the amount that it cost to produce it, along with a reasonable amount for the members personal labor. In California, this led to the opening of marijuana “dispensaries”. Medical marijuana dispensaries are technically marijuana collectives or cooperatives, where the members get their marijuana at a storefront location.
Caregivers
Some states also allow a qualified “Caregiver” to grow marijuana for MMJ patients. A caregiver is allowed to grow marijuana for a qualified mmj patient if they meet certain qualifications stated in that states MMJ laws. For example, in California a MMJ Caregiver who is allowed to grow marijuana for a qualified patient must have “consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that patient or person.“