Benefits of Medical Authorization:

Savings:

It saves you the sales tax AND the excise tax on approved medical cannabis products, which is about 47% of the total cost of product.

Table showing annual savings with a medical authorization for different monthly cannabis expenditures, including the amount spent, savings per year, and months until the medical card pays for itself.

Legal Protection:

You are protected from arrest for possessing cannabis, whether it is due to a conflict with federal law, or if you possess more than is legally allowed for recreational cannabis.

Documentation for Employers, Courts, and Landlords:

A medical cannabis authorization may be the documentation you need to be allowed to use cannabis if your job prohibits it or drug tests, if your housing prohibits it, or if you are currently in a DUI or drug treatment program, Department of Corrections, probation, etc. Please note that even with an authorization, these organizations may still prohibit your use as private businesses and housing can still deny your use. Please check with them to know their rules, and whether an authorization from a doctor will be acceptable.

Growing Cannabis Plants:

A medical authorization for cannabis will allow you to grow between 4 to 15 plants, depending on whether you are registered in the database, and how many plants the authorizing doctor determines you may need for treatment.

Higher Possession Limits:

Your possession limits are 3x higher when you have an authorization and are registered in the database.

Database Registration:

Once you receive your authorization, you may voluntarily be registered in the WA Medical Cannabis Database by taking your authorization to a medical dispensary. They will give you a wallet sized ID card. Being registered in the database is how you get the best discounts, highest protection under the law, highest plant growing limits, and highest possession limits. It is entirely optional, but it gives the best benefits.

Comparison chart highlighting benefits of recreational cannabis versus two levels of medical authorization, including savings, legal protection, documentation, and plant growth limits.
Chart comparing possession amounts of cannabis under different legal statuses, including recreational, medical with or without authorization, and possession limits for usable cannabis, infused products, concentrate, plants, and usable cannabis from plants.