How Switching to Medical Marijuana Can Save You Money

How Switching to Medical Marijuana Can Save You Money

Many Americans have switched to medical marijuana or marijuana-derived products to combat pain and various ailments. Although more products have become available over the counter that contain cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, many people can benefit from switching to medical marijuana instead of over-the-counter alternative medications or expensive prescriptions.

Impact of Mental Health

Although more research needs to be done on the subject, some patients with psychiatric or psychological disorders have turned to various forms of cannabis to relieve their symptoms. Among the disorders medical marijuana may help are anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In addition, some oncologists prescribe medical cannabis to reduce symptoms of nausea and depression associated with chemotherapy.

Cheaper Treatment

When patients must undergo long-term treatment due to catastrophic injuries, cancer, and other life-threatening incidents, accompanying medications are usually expensive and may not be paid for by insurance. When undergoing long term treatments, medical debt and bankruptcy become concerns early on. Filing bankruptcy is inevitable for some patients because of the cost of medication alone. Those suffering from debilitating pain are especially prone to this problem. Not only do such patients face mounting costs, but they also face the dangers of opioid addiction. A 2018 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that Medicare patients spend significantly less on hydrocodone and morphine use. The cheaper cost of medical marijuana could help many patients, especially those on Medicare, whose policies won’t pay for the Class 1 drugs that they need for quality of life.

Should You Get a Medical Cannabis Card?

Obtaining a medical cannabis card carries the potential of saving you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most states where medical marijuana is legal require an upfront fee that allows you access; however, the fees are minuscule when compared with the potential savings. Many states where medical marijuana is legal don’t charge sales tax on your cannabis purchases. Even if you are only using CBD tinctures, you’ll save money because you won’t have to pay excise and other taxes associated with the products. The savings associated with obtaining a medical marijuana card in addition to the savings that buying this natural substance for legitimate medical purposes can add up significantly even over the time of only one month. When compounded over multiple months and years, the savings can be phenomenal.

It’s no secret that the American healthcare system is profoundly expensive — with and without insurance. Depending on the illness or treatment, medical marijuana offers the potential for Americans to save a lot of money without compromising their health.

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