If you happen to live in Washington State, you’ll probably find yourself surrounded by marijuana dispensaries. There were over 1,000 such stores at the last count, so if you decide to get a Washington medical marijuana card, you’ll have no problem getting your hands on high-quality weed.
The state legalized MMJ in 1998, and in December 2012, Washington joined Colorado by beginning the recreational cannabis era. Sales began in July 2014, and the state hasn’t looked back.
One might wonder why they should bother with a Washington medical marijuana card when adults aged 21+ can buy and possess the substance legally. Well, having an MMJ card ensures you can buy more marijuana per dispensary visit, and products are far cheaper since you don’t have to pay the state’s sales tax.
In any case, let’s check out the state’s cannabis laws, how to get a WA MMJ card, and the price of products.
How to Get a Washington Medical Marijuana Card
Having the WA medical marijuana card enables you to purchase a maximum of three ounces of usable cannabis. You also get the chance to join a grower’s collective, greatly increasing your access to cannabis.
In Washington, it is a misdemeanor to possess more than an ounce if you don’t have an MMJ card. It is a felony to possess more than 40 grams, and you could spend up to five years in prison if convicted. The penalty is similar if you’re found to be selling the substance illegally.
If you plan to buy more than the recreational limit, you must apply for a Washington medical marijuana card. The process is quite simple, and you can get a written recommendation from one of a variety of medical professionals. They include a physician assistant, a naturopathic physician, and an osteopathic physician.
Once you’ve found a medical professional, the next step involves scheduling a consultation. If the doctor finds that you’re a suitable candidate after the evaluation, they will sign a Medical Marijuana Authorization Form.
Now, you have to book an appointment with a medically licensed retail store. Bring your ID and the doctor’s form when attending. The approved retailer adds you to the database and generates your MMJ card. At this point, you’re free to visit one of the countless dispensaries within the state where you can buy low-cost cannabis.
Washington State Is the Home of Inexpensive Marijuana
Like other states that legalized recreational marijuana more than a few years ago, Washington provides products that are exceptional value for money. The popularity of marijuana is evidenced in this study, which analyzed the price and product variation in the state’s adult-use market. It used data from an incredible 110 million retail item transactions between July 2014 and October 2017. Incidentally, it found that extracts accounted for almost 30% of sales.
Even in late 2020, it was already obvious that Washington State had some of the lowest-cost marijuana in the country. The average price for an eighth was just $27, and it was possible to easily find grams for around $10. Indeed, in many dispensaries, the most expensive gram costs just $12.
This is a far cry from when the recreational market began in Washington. At that point, you could expect to pay approximately $30 for a gram. So, if you live in a location where recreational sales began and are unhappy with the high cost, be patient! Eventually, the supply will greatly outstrip the demand as more growers try to cash in on the Green Rush.
In almost every state with adult-use marijuana, there has come a tipping point where there’s simply too much product. Washington passed that threshold a long time ago.
Getting a Washington Medical Marijuana Card: The Final Word
If you want to get an MMJ card in Washington, there’s no need to go through a long and grueling application process. Instead, you find one of the many medical professionals willing to certify you and attend a consultation. If they approve you, they’ll give you a signed form.
At this stage, you only need to book an appointment with a medically licensed retail store. Then, you get to join the huge number of MMJ patients in Washington and can also avail of the state’s rock-bottom marijuana prices.
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