Aging baby boomers becoming new face of cannabis
Seniors are seeking relief from chronic pain, especially arthritis; they’re looking to cannabis as a sleep aid; and they’re interested in cannabis’ role in curbing Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Read moreThe 2020 election brought big wins for cannabis, with all of the five state ballot initiatives regarding legalization passing. Both adult-use (or recreational) and medicinal cannabis were legalized in South Dakota; Medicinal cannabis was approved in Mississippi; and adult-use initiatives passed in Arizona, Montana and New Jersey.
Across these states, in different parts of the US, the message was clear: people recognize the benefits of legalization and want access to cannabis in their communities. Implied by the results is another more subtle, but all the more significant message—that the stigma surrounding cannabis is fading as awareness of its effects and medicinal uses grows throughout the country. The following is a breakdown of the ballot initiatives and what their passage means for each state.
While medicinal cannabis was already legal in Arizona, voters in the recent election passed Proposition 207: The Smart and Safe Arizona Act to make adult-use cannabis—or recreational use for ages 21 and over—legal statewide.
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Mississippi voters supported the less restrictive of two cannabis questions on the ballot. Initiative 65 (74%) passed over the Alternative 65A (32%)—the latter of which would have restricted medicinal cannabis to terminally ill patients. The passing initiative legalizes cannabis prescriptions for 22 medical conditions.
Qualifying conditions for a cannabis prescription:
It also allows for medical marijuana prescriptions for conditions “of the same kind or class” to the above, for which a physician believes the benefits of medical cannabis would outweigh any potential health risks.
With the passage of Montana I-90, voters legalized the sale and possession of cannabis for recreational purposes for adults 21 and older. Medicinal cannabis was already approved in Montana in 2004.
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New Jersey legalized medicinal cannabis in 2010. Thanks to the passage of New Jersey Public Question 1, the state now permits the sale and possession of recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older.
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Voters in South Dakota supported two separate ballot questions concerning cannabis legalization—one for medicinal use, and the other for adult-use by individuals 21 and over. Below are a few details on each of those programs.
Medicinal use:
Adult-use:
Regardless of whether recreational cannabis is legal in your state, there are many benefits of obtaining a medical marijuana card. For many states, these include lower costs and taxes for patients, higher potency limits and permission to grow your own cannabis if necessary. Medicinal cannabis is typically not restricted to adults 21 and older, allowing younger patients seeking treatment to obtain the prescriptions they need.
Regulations vary, so check your state laws relating to medical marijuana before you apply.
When you’re interested in taking the next step, set up a virtual or in-person meeting with one of our medical marijuana physicians.
We’ll walk you through the application process, go over the details of your state’s medical marijuana program and applicable laws, and provide you with information about medical cannabis, potential risks, and side effects.
Then a medical cannabis doctor will discuss your medical history with you, treatment options for your qualifying condition, and any questions you have.