As a medical cannabis patient, I’m curious about how legalization may impact my access to medicine. Can you discuss the current state of medical cannabis in legal states?
One answer “How does legalization affect medical cannabis patients?”
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Medical Cannabis legalization is one of the most rapidly changing areas of law within the United States today. Of the fifty states, 33 have legalized the use and possession of medical cannabis in some form, either through legislation passed by voters or legislatures. There are almost one million medical cannabis patients in the United States, with an increasing number of states joining the growing list of those with legalized medical cannabis each year.
For many medical cannabis patients, the legalization of medical cannabis means greater access to their medicine. Legalization also leads to more comprehensive regulations regarding the growth, sale, testing and use of cannabis, providing more protections for patients. Furthermore, increased access to medical cannabis can also lead to more affordable, varied and accessible medical cannabis products and provide the medical cannabis community with more options to explore the various therapeutic benefits of the plant.
One of the most notable advantages to legalizing medical cannabis is that it allows for a regulated industry, removing the criminal element from clandestine production and allowing for greater security for all involved. This regulated industry also makes it easier for patients to find highly-quality, responsibly produced medications and to access the substances without fear of legal repercussions.
The regulated industry of legal medical cannabis also means that the products are safe and traceable, with clear labeling and exact testing of each product to make sure that the content of the medication is what it is advertised to be. This provides an added level of confidence for the patient, who can rest assured that the medicine is legitimate and safe for use.
Some states go beyond simply legalizing medical cannabis and seek to provide more comprehensive protections and regulations for specific types of medicine. States may require producers to use specific materials in the process of creating medical cannabis products so that they meet the standards of quality that are set forth by the government. Furthermore, some states require that medical cannabis medications undergo tests and analyses that meet specific standards before they can be sold to patients.
Legalization also provides additional benefits to medical cannabis patients by creating a more organized and predictable marketplace. With legalization, patients are able to purchase medical cannabis with confidence, always knowing exactly what they are getting, instead of having to guess at the quality of the product in an unregulated industry.
Medical cannabis access continues to grow in the United States, with greater numbers of people being able to access the medication via legal means. While this has provided an invaluable level of security and access for many patients, it is important to remember that medical cannabis remains a Schedule I substance according to the Federal government – meaning that it is still illegal to possess and use cannabis on a Federal level. Additionally, each state has different laws governing the use, sale and access to medical cannabis, and it is important to stay up-to-date on the current laws surrounding the medication in each state. With legalization, however, the field of medical cannabis continues to become more organized and regulated, benefitting all medical cannabis patients.