Marijuana has been used for centuries. In recent years, people have begun to use it as a medical treatment for various ailments. But what about recreational marijuana? What’s the difference there? There are many differences that you might not know about, like dosage size or potency levels, testing requirements, and price. The biggest one to note is that when someone uses medicinal marijuana, they are prescribed it by their doctor and need to be registered with the state to purchase it legally. With recreational use of weed, anyone of age can buy it without any prescriptions or registration requirements – but this also means they don’t always have all the information on how much THC (the chemical compound responsible for getting you high) is in each product.
What Is Medical Marijuana?
Medical cannabis is the use of marijuana as a medical treatment. Certified medical marijuana doctors can prescribe mmj to patients with various conditions and symptoms, including chronic pain, insomnia, PTSD, anxiety, cancer-related side effects from chemotherapy, nausea from HIV/AIDS, or other illnesses that cause loss of appetite.
What Is Recreational Marijuana?
Regular marijuana, on the other hand, is the use of cannabis for personal enjoyment. Recreational marijuana can be used to relax, create a social atmosphere, or even substitute for alcohol consumption, among other purposes.
The Distinctions between Recreational and Medical Cannabis
- Usage
The key difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana is the intention for use. Medical cannabis is prescribed by doctors to help patients with specific symptoms or conditions. In contrast, regular cannabis can be used recreationally without a prescription. Recreational use of marijuana may include social activities such as smoking in a circle with friends or just enjoying some time alone where you don’t have responsibilities that might otherwise distract you. They are not meant to treat any medical condition; those who use marijuana recreationally do so without the guidance of mmj doctors.
- Legal Status
One of the most significant differences between medical and recreational marijuana is the legal status. Medical cannabis has been legalized in 36 states and requires a medical marijuana card, whereas recreational use of cannabis remains illegal on a federal level. This means that while medical patients can buy weed from dispensaries with relative ease, anyone who buys it for personal consumption could potentially face legal issues.
- Compounds
Regular marijuana refers to strains of cannabis that have been cultivated with a higher concentration of THC (the psychoactive ingredient) and lower levels of CBD (a non-psychoactive chemical). Medical marijuana refers to strains that are rich in CBD but lower in THC, which means they won’t produce the same high feeling when you use them. Medical marijuana is typically prescribed by medical cannabis doctors, while recreational use is not regulated by any medical professionals.
- Price
The costs of medical and recreational marijuana vary depending on the state you live in, but they are typically not that different. For medical customers, the price generally is lower than recreational weed because untaxed in some states. Recreational cannabis users pay for potential taxes on top of their purchases.
- Advantages
Medical cannabis: Medical professionals know what strains will work best based on your symptoms and condition, so there is always a tailored solution. Medical marijuana patients also have a wide selection of products to choose from, including edibles, oils, topical, and tinctures.
Regular cannabis: With the recreational use of weed, anyone can buy it without any prescriptions or registration requirements as long as it’s legal in your state. However, in Florida, buying, using, or administering marijuana without a legitimate Medical Marijuana Use Registry card is prohibited throughout the state.
Florida Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is becoming more and more prevalent in the United States. If you have questions about how this drug may affect your health or quality of life, we’d love to talk to you. Contact Naples Marijuana Doctors – Compassionate Healthcare today! We will help you so you can make an informed decision regarding whether medical cannabis could be right for you or not.
