6 Differences Between Medical VS Recreational Marijuana – A 2024 Guide

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about medical and recreational marijuana. Although both of these options can be used for their medicinal properties such as alleviating the symptoms of certain conditions, the two options are, in fact, completely different when it comes to a wide range of things.

This might have caused you to wonder – what are those differences and which option might be suitable for me? Well, luckily for all individuals looking for an answer to this question, you’ll be able to find the answer in the article below. Let’s take a closer look at the 6 differences:

1. The Levels of THC And CBD Are Different

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The major difference between these two options is the CBD and THC levels. Tetrahydrocannabinol or as it is more commonly referred to as THC is an active substance in the cannabis plant. Recreational weed contains more THC than medicinal does, and it is the substance that actually gets you “high”.

Although THC has medicinal benefits, it is a psychoactive substance, which means that it might not be suitable for individuals that are using cannabis for alleviating different symptoms of certain conditions or illnesses. On the other hand, medical weed contains more CBD – Cannabidiol.

Cannabidiol is a substance found in the cannabis plant, however, since it contains little or no THC, it cannot and does not get you “high”. Instead, it is most commonly used for alleviating anxiety, inflammation, pain, and other conditions. All of this makes it perfect for individuals looking to consume weed for improving their health. If you’re searching for a natural healing path, Green Health Docs provides access to supportive, knowledgeable marijuana doctors nationwide, making it easier to obtain a medical marijuana card online or in person.

2. The Legalization Process

Another big difference is in the legalization of the two cannabis types. Though there are various benefits of recreational marijuana, it’s still stigmatized, which means that there are some legal rules that various countries implemented. In most of those nations, consuming recreational weed is prohibited, which causes the users to hide and use it without the authorities knowing about it.

But, for medical marijuana, the legalization is completely different and it is being widely accepted in some countries. More and more states are choosing to legalize it, however, in order to obtain it, you’ll need a specific card. Luckily, there are various companies such as Dr-Weedy that help people obtain their cards, which means that you’ll be able to receive it after you submit your application.

3. Availability And Access

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As mentioned earlier, people that use recreational weed are often stigmatized, and since it is banned in most areas of the world, consuming it might result in some high fines and in some serious cases, jail. This means that you might have problems with obtaining recreational weed.

CBD, on the other hand, is legalized in a lot of nations, which means that it can be purchased by anyone who has a card and that will use it for its medicinal values. Hence, Cannabidiol can be easily and legally obtained, which is why more and more people are switching to this option.

4. The Application And Uses

Medical marijuana has a wide range of uses and applications. For starters, it is most commonly used for alleviating pain, inflammation, anxiety, and stress, which means that it most commonly comes in the form of oils, lotions, creams, and edibles, all of which will help you with your needs.

Naturally, people use traditional cannabis for health conditions as well, but, as the name implies – recreational – it is also used by a lot of individuals for its mind-bending and psychoactive effects. It also comes in a wide range of forms, however, it is most commonly inhaled by consumers.

5. The Quality

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Both of these options go through the same cultivation process, however, the main differences are in the production and what the purpose of the product is. For instance, the weed that is meant to be medical needs to be grown in a controlled and stricter environment before it can be offered to people. In most situations, it is grown indoors and there are no pesticides used.

Recreational marijuana is grown outdoors, which means that it is exposed to a wide range of things that can diminish its quality. Of course, it is still a safe product, but when compared to medical weed, it is less pure and safe. This all means that the environment the plant is grown in can influence its quality at the end.

6. The Benefits

Now, this will mostly depend on the option you choose, however, both of them are known to alleviate different symptoms, and more importantly, it can help your mind and body relax – which is quite important since we all live a fast-paced life. Some of the benefits including treating chronic diseases such as cancer, as well as treating less life-threatening illnesses such as depression, stress, and pain.

Things to Consider

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Before we conclude this article, there are a few things worth mentioning about both of these options. The things you should consider before you purchase and consume either medical or recreational hemp include:

  1. The Manufacturer – you do not want to purchase the products from a manufacturer that is not trustworthy and reliable, which is why you need to ensure that their products are safe for consumption. Hence, before anything else, ensure that you can trust the cultivator.
  2. The Dosage – no matter which option you choose, you need to learn what dose is good for you. It is recommended for people to start small and work their way up to a higher dose. Once you feel like it is working properly for you, you can stop increasing the amount you take.
  3. The Reviews – last on the list, but not least important is the reviews of the product. By reading them, you can ensure that previous users had a good experience with it and that there weren’t any side effects that might negatively impact your body and mind. So, ensure that you do some digging and determine if a particular product is safe.

Conclusion

As you were able to read and learn, there is actually a wide range of differences between medical and recreational marijuana. Of course, both of the options have their benefits and drawbacks, which is why you’ll need to carefully consider which option might be suitable for you.

So, now that you are aware of how they are different, you should not lose any more of your time. Instead, you might want to open up your browser and do a little bit more digging in order to determine which of the two options might be suitable for your condition and overall needs.