Weed. Ganja. Loud. Tree. Bud...These are all nicknames for the worlds most infamous plant: Cannabis. The first documented use of Marijuana for medicinal purposes dates all the way back to 2727 B.C. in China. Since then, Cannabis has grown (literally and figuratively) in popularity all over the world. Well, at least until the United States Federal Government decided to classify the plant as a schedule I drug in 1937, effectively making it highly illegal and highly stigmatized. As time went on, individual states started to pass laws allowing cannabis to be used as medicine, requiring the patient to get a certified Medical Marijuana Card. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical Marijuana, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016.
Finally, on January 1, 2018, recreational cannabis sales officially became legal in the state of California. Marijuana dispensaries are now able to open legal shops and can sell to any adult 21 years of age or older with a valid, government issued ID or patients 18+ with a valid Medical marijuana card.
Since weed has become legal and more publicly advertised, there has been a huge movement to break down the negative stigma surrounding cannabis due to the years of illegality and public denouncing by prominent figures (I.E. Ronald Reagan). Due to this, the general public has a lot of misconceptions of the plant and its uses. Thats where we come in: To educate the public about the wonderful benefits of the world's most misunderstood plant: Cannabis
In this Digital series, we will be breaking down all of the complexities of this highly versatile plant, ranging from; The different methods of consumption, the differences between strains of the plant and their respective effects, the difference between THC and CBD, and much more.
Common questions for first time patients and people interested in recreational use:
1. How much weed can an individual purchase at one time?
Medical Patients can purchase up to EIGHT OUNCES at one time...if youre unfamiliar with weed quantities, just know that a lot. On the other hand, recreational users can only purchase up to one ounce at a time, which is still a significant amount of weed.
2. What does that amount look like?
Marijuana is actually measured in Metric units with common nicknames associated with each amount. The marijuana is pre packaged in air-tight, smell proof containers that vary in size depending on the amount purchased. The weed itself varies in shape, color, size, and density based on the quality and the type of strain. The amounts and respective names go as follows:
"Gram" or "Dime sack": 1 Gram
"Eighth": 3.5 Grams (1/8th of an ounce)
"Quarter": 7 Grams (1/4th of an Ounce)
"Half": 14 Grams (Half an Ounce)
"Ounce" or "Zip": 28 Grams
3. Are medical marijuana patients exempt from sales tax?
Yes! Thanks to American capitalism, there is a 15% sales tax for recreational users (thanks Uncle Sam). As you can imagine, a frequent user would have to cough up a significant amount of money to the state. However, with a MMJ (Medical Marijuana Rec Card), patients are 100% exempt from taxes.
4. Is it hard to get a medical marijuana identification card.
No, it's actually surprisingly easy. There are many ways to obtain a Rec card, but the fastest and cheapest way is to look up an online clinic, provide basic medical information, proof of residency, proof of ID, and BOOM! Your Rec card will be at your doorstep in a few days for as little as $35
5. Can you grow marijuana at home?
If you're the more fiscally conservative type of person, than going down the home grown route might be your best option. The only rules are as follows:
- The minimum age is 21
- Possess no more than 6 plants at a time
- Grow only where you live, where it cannot be seen and lock it
- Carry no more than 28.5 grams at one time
It's that simple.
6. Can you smoke in public?
This law is enforced in the same manner as public consumption of alcohol and tabacco; You cant smoke weed on the sidewalk or in a bar. By law, marijuana still cannot be smoked in public places. Furthermore, getting caught smoking in public carries a fine of up to $100. Those caught smoking pot in a place where tobacco smoking is prohibited or near a school can be fined up to $250...Just smoke at home.
We recently took a trip down to "The Higher Path", a dispensary in Sherman Oaks, CA. Here, we interviewed the owner of the shop to get as better understanding of the process of purchasing marijuana from a dispensary.
We also were able to catch up with Daby Gaby, the general manager of a local dispensary.