Without paying the fee you have no affirmative defense because you are NOT on record with the State. Yes, you have a 'rec". No, it won't protect you or offer you the same defense a card will offer you because when they call to verify you are on the Registry your name will NOT show up. IMO, your only hope here is that the cop THINKS you are legal and doesn't check to make sure.
Others may approach it differently, but I sure wouldn't take the chance after seeing my card stop the cops in their tracks at my own front door. Had I not have had a "card" and had I merely been standing here with a handwritten form I would have had a warrant served on the spot and would have (IMO) been in some deep shit. The vibe was SERIOUS...just like the 2 other times I've been hauled to jail via a 'pot bust".
It's the same as driving, IMO. If a cop stops you and you show him every peice of paper the DMV can generate ("here is my Driver's Handbook, occifer"??) but you have no State-issued LICENSE the chance you will be ticketed is extremely high and the chance you will be allowed to DRIVE away as an unlicensed driver as if nothing happened just isn't there whatsoever.
I'd like to see someone test this "No card needed" theory in a home with an active grow.
Well..not really....but um....you get the point, I hope!
be safe, kids
s h