Ah OK, I gotcha. I'm not sure about California, but I have two brothers who I'm visiting in Colorado right now, and the main difference is when you have a medical card you have access to certain high THC products, as well as access to certain genetics they won't sell just any old recreational user... Maybe its similar?
even with my cheap 45 dollar rec i have now i can buy top shelf anything. I tried looking it up on my countys website and it says its optional to have the mmicp but it doesnt say why you should or shouldnt have it and google is no help lol