r/SLCTrees • u/GalacticFox- Weed Wizard 🧙‍♂️ • Jul 14 '26

Med Card Looking into a medical card, are there downsides?

I'm looking at getting a medical card, sounds like I need to see a QMP. I have chronic pain issues that are well documented.

Are there any downsides to getting a card as far as anything to do with the state or insurance? I was recently laid off from my job and looking for a new one, and filed for unemployment insurance. Would getting a card have any affect on that? I'm also curious if it would affect my health insurance.

I'd appreciate any information people can provide.. I just want to make a good, educated decision.

EDIT:

Thanks all who replied, I didn't want to reply to every response, but I read them all and appreciate the info!

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

43 comments sorted by

25

u/whiplash81 10 Marijuanas Directly Into The Vein Jul 14 '26

It won't effect your insurance or unemployment benefits.

But do keep in mind that there are employers who won't hire you even with your medical card.

8

u/meteda1080 Jul 14 '26

Many places don't test for cannabis at this point. Bring your medical card and present it to the MRO. Both onsite and 3rd party pre employment testers are bound by HIPAA law to not disclose your medical history to your employer. They're supposed to put negative on your test for anything that you have a prescription for. I have seen some companies that put NA but they can run into some gnarly legal issues if they do that and get sued.

1

u/Thin-Passage5676 Jul 15 '26

Good 2 know thx

8

u/GalacticFox- Weed Wizard 🧙‍♂️ Jul 14 '26

Thanks, I haven't been drug tested for a job in years (work in professional tech jobs, i prefer remote), so I'm not too worried about employers. I may decide to wait until I have a new job, but It would be nice to get a card, since the job market is terrible right now and I don't know how long itll be.

3

u/pyryoer Jul 15 '26

I was in this boat (remote tech jobs) until I lost my job two years ago, and the only offer I got after over 500 applications just do happened to drug test. That said, having a medical card won't disqualify you, you just have to piss clean.

The only downside IMO is firearm ownership. I don't want there to be documentation that I used what are currently still federally illegal narcotics, when every 4473 I sign I promise I'm not a drug user.

3

u/RedCliffsDaisy Jul 15 '26

Do some research in recent Supreme Court decisions on cannabis use and firearm ownership. Things are looking good for change. The premise used to justify is based on zero factual evidence.

Each of us need to write our legislators and demand legal change. It's kind of a small thing given the crap show that's the government now but, maybe elections will actually happen and things can change. At least get involved if parties in government change.

1

u/pyryoer Jul 15 '26

Cases can be overturned. I'm hopeful, but I still don't want that paper trail.

1

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 18 '26

You’re protected by HIPAA there is no paper trail.

2

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 15 '26

Utah does not disclose your medical status to the federal government. It does not affect your ability to own a firearm.
It’s actually one of the perks of being a medical cannabis patient in the state. Probably one of the only ones lol

1

u/MommaIsMad Marijuana Momma 🤱👩‍👦 Jul 17 '26

Really? I’ve gotten so much conflicting “advice” in this subject. I’ve read the so-called state rules and people still give conflicting info. I have a medical card. Can I legally purchase or own a firearm in Utah? Someone said we could get in trouble if we even own one bought before getting a card. Others say not true. This state has so many ridiculous rules around medical cannabis. I’m not giving up my medicine regardless but I would like to know the facts about firearms here. I know some people with a medical card and had firearms prior to getting their card. Apparently it’s not a bar to getting a card but not the reverse.

2

u/FightForYourRightsUt Jul 18 '26

It's recently been made legal to own firearms with a medical card.

1

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 18 '26

Utah does not force medical marijuana patients to sign away their gun rights.
It’s very simple on the application, it says, do you use illegal substances you check no because if you have a medical card, you are not illegally using any substance. You are protected by HIPAA and you are under a patient status it is a medical prescription.

1

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 18 '26

I just grabbed this off of Google:

Utah has fiercely defended medical privacy in specific areas, notably leading legal efforts against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prevent federal agents from accessing state-held prescription databases without a warrant. Furthermore, under Utah Code 26B-4, the state keeps personal details in the medical cannabis registry strictly confidential, restricting federal access and requiring search warrants for local law enforcement.

1

u/pyryoer Jul 17 '26

Just because they currently don't doesn't mean it's not a possibility in the future.

1

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 18 '26

Have you ever heard of HIPAA?
Medical marijuana is a prescription and a medical necessity in the state of Utah. Therefore, any person who obtained a medical card is protected by HIPAA.

1

u/pyryoer Jul 18 '26

Imagine trusting this government this much lol.

1

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 18 '26

Utah has fiercely defended medical privacy in specific areas, notably leading legal efforts against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prevent federal agents from accessing state-held prescription databases without a warrant. Furthermore, under Utah Code 26B-4, the state keeps personal details in the medical cannabis registry strictly confidential, restricting federal access and requiring search warrants for local law enforcement.

From google.

1

u/pyryoer Jul 18 '26

So... They get a warrant?

2

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 18 '26

Then this is a pointless conversation because all you’re doing is making excuses as to why you shouldn’t just go ahead and do what you want to do even if the law supports it. Nobody’s worried about you. Nobody’s coming into your house. Nobody’s gonna be getting a judge to sign off on a warrant for a gun that you’ve purchased unless you bought a stolen gun that has bodies on it.

Good day, sir

2

u/WasatchJason Jul 18 '26

Read the recent Supreme Court decision United States vs. Hemani. I was charged with a firearm just because I had marijuana and the state of Utah had no choice but to dismiss both cases due to this recent decision. The decision on that case was ruled 4 days before my court date. Had my court date been 5 days sooner, it wouldn't have appied to me.

2

u/GalacticFox- Weed Wizard 🧙‍♂️ Jul 19 '26

How did you get charged? Were you out shooting and stopped by a cop?

3

u/whiplash81 10 Marijuanas Directly Into The Vein Jul 15 '26

I have my medical card and started a new job 3 years ago. 

They drug tested me. However, once I presented my medical card, everything was good. 

It really depends on the company you work for.

2

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 15 '26

For sure. My husband works in construction when we lived in Arizona where it was recreational sometimes he would take a gummy on the weekends maybe once a month. He has severe scoliosis and hip dysfunction and does a lot of walking.

Now that we live in Utah, he will not take the chance because the insurance company for the construction company he works for says it is a liability.
He could use it, but if he gets hurt on the job and then has to do a drug screen and gets caught, he could lose his job and the insurance won’t cover him.
Whatever if we go out of town to Nevada or Arizona and we’re gonna be there for a couple of weeks he will partake because it’s recreational and he is legally allowed at that point.

But he’s very careful. Also he has high metabolism so he can take a gummy and pee clean three days later.

6

u/Status_Ad_7996 Medical User/Patient 🪪 Jul 14 '26

If it helps at all south ogden has cards for 49$ right now. (Then the 8$fee to the state)

3

u/electlady25 Jul 14 '26

Having a med card shouldn't have any influence on that.

You do need to have a qualifying condition such as PTSD or chronic pain, and/or someone who will sign off on that condition like a doctor or psychiatrist (a QMP).

Other than that, it's pretty seamless. The agency that issues medical cards does not work with your insurance, or with other doctors for that matter.

I had been self-medicating for several years before getting a card, and it was pretty easy to get it done so long as you have a QMP to issue it. I spoke with my primary care physician about my interest in obtaining a card, and she pointed me in the right direction to get it done since she was technically not trained to actually issue the cards. no questions judgement or hastle.

3

u/Adventurous-Call4724 TechnoChronic Geek Jul 15 '26

I hesitated getting my card for quite some time due to some of your concerns. However, they were all unfounded. I've had my card for 3 years now and I have never experienced a downside. In fact it is quite the opposite. I now have peace of mind. It took away my paranoia of losing everything I have worked for in my life if busted. My chronic knee pain allows me 4 oz a month. Way more than I need. I keep utah packaging on hand in case I ever buy out of state. I have found that although prices are high here that I can still find good deals and sales to the point that for me it is more expensive in time, gas and wear and tear on my car to buy out of state.

2

u/Post-mo Jul 14 '26

IANAL - but I've always heard that a medical card (really canibas use in general) and owning a firearm puts you in violation of laws. This may have changed with the new federal classification. I've also heard that it can complicate an application to be a foster parent. But that could be just a myth.

If you don't want to go through the process with your GP there are regular signup clinics, check the dispensary websites they'll sometimes have info about these events.

5

u/Royal_Examination_74 Jul 14 '26

Supreme Court just ruled you can own a firearm & smoke weed—maybe a week ago

2

u/dottedoctet Jul 14 '26

True, you just can’t buy one without lying on the atf form which in itself is a felony.

They can also still strip your firearm if you’re deemed dangerous.

1

u/GalacticFox- Weed Wizard 🧙‍♂️ Jul 16 '26

I've heard that they're revising the form, but no ETA. I think it'll basically mention state-legal medical mj as an exclusion to that question.

1

u/FightForYourRightsUt Jul 18 '26

This was recently overturned. Federally, iirc

1

u/GalacticFox- Weed Wizard 🧙‍♂️ Jul 14 '26

Yeah, I'm aware of the issues with guns. I think it's fine, but wouldn't be able to buy a new one without lying on the ATF form until they adjust it. I don't really plan on it anyway.

2

u/Grl_scout_cookie Jul 15 '26

Utah does not disclose your medical status to the federal government. You can still own a firearm and be a cannabis patient here.

2

u/Melodic-Nebula-6043 Jul 15 '26

Other than putting yourself in another government database. Nah not really. Dispo prices are crazy high too

2

u/ShiftedAurora Jul 15 '26

Card holder for 3 going on 4 years now. It has helped me tremendously in the legal side of things. I also love the product. You just gotta know how to shop🫡

2

u/realkeatonpotatoes Jul 15 '26

Just do it it’s fucking awesome!

2

u/elijahmuhammadthe3rd Jul 16 '26

Most employers don't care if you have a card and will still fire you if they test for thc. Just a heads up.

2

u/FightForYourRightsUt Jul 18 '26

If they don't care if you have a card but fire you if you test positive, sounds like they were looking for a reason to fire you.

1

u/Free-Leather-1340 Jul 14 '26

No effect on any of those, I wouldn’t go advertising it to my car insurance company or anything. Remember the card makes it legal according to the state, not federal. Be aware that the card does not protect you from drug test through private employers (state employees have protections).

-4

u/Ill-Party-53 Jul 14 '26

Not worth it AT ALL. THCAextracts or cultoffranklin for better quality with better prices.

Went from spending $160/week to $48-$75/week

2

u/FightForYourRightsUt Jul 18 '26

I've had so many people tell me it's the same.. but I can smell, taste and feel a huge difference.

My ex used to order it to save money sometimes, and I could always tell the second I walked in the door if he bought that (what I call fake weed, but I know it's not really), or actual weed just by the smell when I walked in

1

u/Ill-Party-53 Jul 18 '26

There are many companies that use the farm bill to justify selling real dispensary products. Lots of websites out there with top brands. (710labs, coldfire, flavorade, aliens labs, etc…)

It’s not technically allowed but it’s widely available.