The Importance of Medical Cannabis Cards: Education, Advocacy, and Access
The modern legal cannabis industry, as well as the traditional market, originated with a strong medicinal foundation. Cannabis has been used for centuries to regulate the body, and today, we understand that its vast therapeutic potential is due to its unique interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In fact, cannabis has more medical applications than any other medicinal plant. However, despite these benefits, confusion around obtaining a medical cannabis card prevents many from accessing the medical market. Read on to find out how NAP plans to address this issue:
Data breakdown from NAP’s longitudinal study on the number of participants who considered their use medical and who had medical cards.
Data from the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy’s (NAP) longitudinal study on daily cannabis consumers reveals a striking discrepancy: while 78% of participants reported using cannabis for medical purposes, only 33% actually held a medical cannabis card. This gap prompted us to explore why so many individuals hesitate to obtain a card.
Through community discussions and research, we uncovered a variety of reasons for this hesitation. Many well-informed consumers feel they do not require additional input from medical professionals to use cannabis effectively. Others rely primarily on the legacy market, meaning the tax incentives and discounts of the medical program do not offer them direct financial benefits. However, beyond personal reasons, there is a critical and often overlooked motive for obtaining a medical card: advocacy.
One of the strongest reasons to encourage medical cannabis card registration is to protect and sustain medical programs. When states legalize adult-use cannabis, medical markets are often neglected or phased out in favor of more lucrative recreational sales. However, if millions of patients are registered as medical cannabis users, they become a powerful demographic that cannot be ignored in legislative and financial discussions. Greater representation strengthens advocacy efforts, helping to preserve access to cannabis for those who rely on it for health and wellness.
To address the confusion and stigma surrounding medical cannabis cards, NAP has partnered with Leafwell, the world’s largest medical card provider. The goal of this collaboration is to educate the public, answer common questions, and help individuals feel more confident about obtaining a medical card.
Leafwell offers a seamless, virtual medical card application process available in most U.S. states. Their website provides essential resources, including information on interstate travel with a medical card and updates on ever-evolving cannabis laws. By making the process more accessible, Leafwell empowers more people to take advantage of medical cannabis programs.
As part of this initiative, NAP has been recording interviews and discussions with Leafwell’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. June Chin. Dr. Chin is a cannabis patient, a medical professional, and a key figure in cannabis regulation in New York. She also serves as an adjunct professor at multiple universities.
In an exclusive interview with Dr. Miyabe Shields, Dr. Chin explores critical topics such as how cannabis can help with emotional regulation, neurodivergence and cannabis use, the comparison between cannabis and pharmaceuticals, and the concept of the "stoner neurotype." The two dive in depth with both scientific aspects as well as personal anecdotes, make sure to watch the full interview on YouTube for deeper insights into these subjects.
Additionally, Dr. Riley Kirk welcomed Dr. Chin as a guest on the Bioactive Podcast, where they discussed the advantages of obtaining a medical cannabis card, the distinctions between medical and recreational cannabis, and more complex issues such as cannabis use and firearms laws. They also examined the impact of recent legal
cases and the importance of continued research into the therapeutic potential of cannabis.
If you’re considering a medical cannabis card, visit Leafwell’s website to determine eligibility in your state. Whether for personal medical use or advocacy, registering as a medical patient strengthens the community and ensures that medical cannabis programs remain protected. Join us in our mission to educate, empower, and advocate for medical cannabis accessibility.
Get a discount on your medical card by using either Dr. Shields or Dr. Kirk’s codes!
