Medical Marijuana in Phoenix

The medical marijuana industry is constantly evolving, and in Arizona, the laws and regulations surrounding medical cannabis continue to expand to meet the needs of people suffering from chronic health conditions. In 2010, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act legalized the use of medical marijuana for individuals with qualifying ailments. Ten years later, in 2020, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act legalized the use of recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21. Today, proposed legislation seeks to establish healthcare coverage for medical cannabis patients.

Medical vs Recreational Weed

The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) oversees the licensing, regulation, and compliance of recreational and medical cannabis programs. Many people considering marijuana use ask: Is Medical Marijuana Stronger Than Recreational Cannabis Products? While both products come from the same cannabis plant, the properties can vary drastically, and medical cannabis consumers typically have access to more potent strains. Other primary differences between medical vs. recreational weed in Arizona include:

• Price: Medical cannabis typically costs less per ounce and is only subject to a 5.6% sales tax, whereas recreational marijuana incurs an additional excise tax of 16%.
• Purchase Limits: Residents with a medical (MMJ) card can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana bi-monthly. Recreational consumers are limited to purchasing one ounce per transaction.
• Growing Limits: Recreational consumers can grow up to six plants, and registered medical marijuana patients can grow up to 12 plants.
• Potency: The CBD and THC levels can vary drastically depending on the specific needs of the consumer.
• Protection: State laws protect medical cannabis consumers from discrimination in the workplace, whereas recreational consumers can risk employment termination if they fail a drug test.

What is Medical Marijuana Used For?

Medical marijuana is derived from the cannabis plant and is used to treat a broad range of medical conditions and symptoms. Medical strains of marijuana are typically available in the same form as recreational marijuana, but lab-made and highly purified versions are also available to treat specific conditions. The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids, with each one having a unique effect on a specific part of the body. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the primary chemicals extracted from the plant for medicinal purposes. THC is what gives people the feeling of being “high” when they ingest or smoke marijuana. There are millions of individuals in the United States benefiting from the medical use of cannabinoids to treat conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and severe nausea resulting from chemotherapy treatments.

According to the AZDHS, medical cannabis can be used to treat a debilitating or chronic disease that causes the following symptoms:

• Chronic and severe pain
• Persistent or severe muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis)
• Seizures (including epilepsy)
• Severe nausea
• Wasting syndrome

In Arizona, medical cannabis can also be used to treat the following medical conditions:

• Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Insurance Considerations for Cannabis Dispensaries

Under Arizona state law, insurance companies cannot regulate the use of medical cannabis, and most major insurance carriers do not offer coverage. Medical cannabis is regulated at the state level. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve medical cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions, and there are currently no approved formulations or doses at the federal level. Therefore, healthcare professionals can only recommend the use of medical marijuana but cannot prescribe it to their patients.  Arizona residents with a valid MMJ card can purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries throughout the state, and their patient status will typically not impact health insurance coverage. However, some life insurance companies may identify an underlying medical condition with medical cannabis consumers, and premium rates may be negatively affected. Contact us at Superior Dispensary today to learn more about our recreational and medical cannabis products.

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