The Differences Between Medical Cannabis and Recreational Marijuana

by | Jun 8, 2023 | Cannabis Legislation, Marijuana Insights | 0 comments

The use of marijuana has increased recently, particularly for therapeutic purposes. On the other hand, individuals who use marijuana recreationally do so without a valid medicinal reason. It is obvious that cannabis offers many health advantages, no matter how it is consumed or why it is being used. Many people use marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, but there are variances in the laws and many other factors.

In light of this, we aim to emphasize the distinctions between cannabis used for medical and recreational purposes. What is marijuana for medical use? What is marijuana used for leisure?

We discuss the benefits of using marijuana medicinally as opposed to just for enjoyment in light of the rising use and acceptance of medical marijuana.

THC and CBD Concentrations in Medical and Recreational Use

The concentration of the active components in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are the major distinction between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis. The psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, makes consumers feel high, whereas CBD is used medically. Although THC has medical uses, those who desire to consume marijuana only for health reasons should avoid it due to its psychoactive tendency. It has been demonstrated that the cannabis plant’s CBD is a good medical treatment for a number of ailments.

You don’t need to consume cannabis with a high THC content if you’re interested in medical marijuana. While both medical and recreational cannabis contain THC and CBD, a product with a higher CBD ratio will likely offer more medical advantages. Scientific research has demonstrated that marijuana with a high CBD concentration has anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and antipsychotic qualities.

Legal Issues with Medical and Recreational Use

This is a significant distinction between marijuana used for medical purposes and marijuana used for recreational purposes. Despite the fact that cannabis has been around for a while and is frequently used, there are legal restrictions on its use for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. Recreational cannabis still has a lot of legal limitations in many countries across the world. As its use is not permitted, those who partake in it frequently must do it secretly.

On the other side, medical marijuana is becoming widely accepted as more people become aware of its therapeutic benefits. As time goes on, a growing number of states and governments approve the use of medical cannabis. Despite several states and nations legalizing cannabis for recreational use, many people still have trouble accessing it globally. Medical marijuana is more widely available because of its legal status.

Medical vs. Recreational: Availability and Ease of Access

Due to strict laws, anyone caught carrying recreational cannabis in a region where it is prohibited faces heavy penalties or even jail time. Recreational cannabis is not widely available in regions where it is still illegal to use it. On the other hand, hemp-derived CBD is accepted legally in all 50 U.S. states as well as many other nations.

Those in need of the herb for medicinal purposes and other uses have far more access to it. Over the past ten years, medicinal marijuana laws have undergone significant relaxation and adjustment to permit more widespread use. Contrarily, there are still many legal obstacles that restrict the accessibility and availability of recreational marijuana.

Quality of medical vs. recreational

The quality of marijuana used for recreational purposes and marijuana used for medical purposes is very different. While the growing procedure for both varieties of marijuana is the same, distinctions in production and cultivation are starting to show. It depends on whether the finished output will be utilized for entertainment or for medical purposes. Before it is made available for consumption, cannabis intended for medical purposes goes through a more stringent and controlled process. In contrast to medicinal cannabis, which can be cultivated either indoors or outdoors, the plant is often grown indoors in a controlled environment.

Additionally, the use of pesticides in medicinal cannabis is tightly regulated; the finished product must be secure for patient consumption. In a nutshell, producing marijuana for medical use involves different techniques than growing it for recreational use. Everyone, including those who use marijuana recreationally, naturally wants a product that is safe, but because medical cannabis is grown with greater care, it holds the distinction of being the purer and safer product.

Recreational vs. Medical: Different Goals

Because they are recognized to provide several benefits, versatile items are always preferred above those that can just provide a single advantage; the same is true of cannabis. When contrasting cannabis used for medical purposes and marijuana used for recreational purposes, many people use marijuana for social fulfillment and personal enjoyment. On the other hand, due to its multiple medical advantages, medical cannabis is thought to be more adaptable. The elderly and children can consume medical marijuana with ease because it has a low THC and a high CBD content, which promotes good health.

Unfortunately, use of recreational cannabis is only permitted by people who are old enough to be high without becoming anxious. The fact that medical marijuana has medical uses makes it acceptable even for youngsters in many places. In states that permit its use, recreational marijuana is restricted to a stringent age limit. It is more accessible because medical cannabis is made available to a greater range of users, regardless of age.

The Difference Between Medical and Recreational: Shopping Experiences

How you purchase cannabis is one significant difference between cannabis used for medical and recreational purposes. There may be some similarities in states where cannabis use for recreational purposes is legal, but the procedure is different. Patients must present their personal identification card and medicinal cannabis card while purchasing medical marijuana. These cards attest to their authorization to purchase marijuana. Medical marijuana is available for purchase in clinics. To protect privacy, just one customer is permitted inside at once. Patients cannot receive any medical advice from dispensaries that offer marijuana for recreational use. Although they are permitted to purchase at these businesses, medical patients

There are also businesses that have both medicinal and recreational licenses, which means they can serve both types of clientele. Going to dual-licensed stores and medicinal dispensaries is preferable if you’re looking for marijuana for medical purposes. They are in the best position to answer queries about medicine. Medical marijuana vendors must go through training, screening, and certification requirements in addition to attending multiple seminars. Buyers of recreational marijuana frequently don’t receive any advise or direction because the supplier assumes you already know what you want in recreational cannabis.

Medical vs. Recreational: Advantages and Disadvantages

Everything is dependent on the nation and state. Due to their medical conditions, patients who plan to use medicinal marijuana are eligible for a number of advantages. These advantages are not available to recreational marijuana users.

Some benefits include cheaper product pricing and taxes, legal access for minors, particularly for chronic conditions like cancer and epilepsy, restrictions on THC potency limits, and access to larger dosages depending on the prescription. In rare circumstances, medical patients are also allowed to produce their own cannabis for personal use. In comparison to their competitors in the recreational cannabis industry, medical cannabis growers are also permitted to operate on a greater scale.

Source: https://www.maliecannabisclinic.com/differences-medical-cannabis-recreational-marijuana

Enrico Bratta

Enrico Bratta

Medical cannabis professional based in Phuket, Thailand.

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Enrico Bratta

Medical cannabis professional based in Phuket, Thailand.