A medical marijuana ID without requiring a doctor?

For the many benefits available in medical marijuana, accessing medical marijuana can sometimes prove difficult. This reality is even more pronounced for seniors who need access to medical marijuana but always need to see a doctor first. Fortunately, news from DC shows that the mayor recently signed new legislation that will ease these issues for seniors who need medical marijuana.

This new bill seeks to remove the need for seniors over 65 to see the doctor for renewals, along with other incentives to make life easier for medical marijuana users. Read on as we examine why seniors’ physicians may not be needed to access DC medical marijuana and other specifics of this new bill. Hawaii recently introduced a similar medical marijuana rule for anyone over the age of 65.

New Dawn for seniors and medical marijuana in DC

Medical marijuana is just as important for seniors over 65 as it is for adults under 65. Contrary to misconception, it’s extraordinarily useful for seniors struggling with sleep disorders, pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and other common medical conditions. This makes access to medical marijuana important for many seniors who have the natural herb to thank for surviving these conditions. That access has now been enhanced after the mayor of Washington signed into law the District’s Medical Marijuana Program Improvement Act.

The new law will allow seniors who obtain medical marijuana in the district to certify for cannabis without needing a doctor’s recommendation. The bill was signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) two weeks after being sponsored by Chair Phil Mendelson (D) and approved by DC Council. The law does more than make life better for seniors, as it introduces a new 4/20 cannabis tax holiday and extends the grace period for patient registration. The law is subject to the Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 extending patient access to medical marijuana.

This isn’t the first time such a feat has been attempted in recent times, but it is the first time such moves have yielded actual results. A lawmaker originally proposed a similar but separate medical cannabis reform bill aimed at making registration easier for patients. The bill aimed to reduce the long lines and waits of several weeks that patients go through before receiving permits and renewals. This bill was not approved by the DC Council like a similar bill in 2017 either.

Take positives from the new bill

It’s easy to see what the government agency hopes to achieve with this new bill, and there are many positives to take away from it. First, this new legislation aims to ensure that patients receive their products from licensed pharmacies. The lack of logistical issues associated with regular doctor visits should encourage patients to patronize legit pharmacies and obtain their products when needed. It also ensures that black marketers stop taking advantage of the perceived stress when doctors make quick sales to patients.

Another positive aspect of this bill is that it will help bring down the rising cost of cannabis from both licensed dispensaries and local gray market providers. These costs have steadily increased as the activity of cannabis stores and delivery services has increased. With the elimination of the costs required to see doctors for referrals and renewals, the overall cost of purchasing cannabis for such seniors is reduced. This removal of recommendations requires these seniors to self-certify, a process that the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) is assisting seniors with during “Senior Citizens’ Week” February 22-25.

The 4/20 Medical Cannabis Sales Tax Holiday Week helps ensure both of these goals of the bill as patients do not pay the 6% sales tax during this period. The week starts this year from Friday April 15th to Sunday April 24th. Registrations issued to patients and caregivers by September 30 are valid for 2 years, which is double the period for which they served. Registration fees are also waived through April 24, giving people a much-needed incentive to register quickly.

Future of Cannabis Legislation in DC

This new bill is the first of many implementations to come for DC cannabis laws in 2022. The mayor announced in April last year that officials in the state will create a workable recreational marijuana housing system. This is bound to happen after the district overcomes the problem of congressional interference. Once this is accomplished, district residents can now enjoy easier access to the natural herb for medicinal and recreational purposes. The opening of markets to adult use will mean further growth for the district’s cannabis industry and will avoid the growth of black market vendors.

The new law also requires that at least half of the district’s legal marijuana business licenses be awarded to social justice applicants. These are people who have been arrested for marijuana or have faced cannabis-related offenses in recent years. The medical cannabis tax will remain at 6 percent, while the recreational use tax will be set at 13 percent. Thirty percent of the revenue from these taxes is paid into a Cannabis Equity and Opportunity Fund. This compiled fund is used to help social justice applicants with loans, grants, and technical assistance. Fifty percent of the same tax revenue is reinvested in the community to prevent homelessness and ensure economic development.

bottom line

The coming days are looking brighter for seniors needing medical marijuana in DC, and it’s sure to get better. With less restrictions, more seniors can easily procure the products when needed. Self-certification also helps reduce associated costs as it eliminates the need for recurring doctor visits. Cannabis reform advocates and supporters are still pushing for more changes, but this is a step in the right direction.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR AGEING, READ MORE…

HAWAII SAYS WHEN YOU ARE OLD YOU CAN HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA!