Marijuana has gone from “the devil’s lettuce” to being able to order it on an app from your phone in some places…
But it’s not fully legal yet – and there’s still major confusion around medical cannabis and recreational weed.
What’s the diff
What’s Medical Marijuana anyway?
Medical marijuana is the sticky-icky prescribed by doctors to help patients manage diseases or symptoms. [1] It can help you deal with issues like:
- Chronic pain from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or nerve damage [2]
- Nausea and loss of appetite from chemo
- Epileptic seizures
- Anxiety, PTSD, trouble sleeping
And the only way Patients can get medical marijuana is with a prescription card from their doctor…
Medical marijuana is NOT about getting high.
At least, not when it comes to defining the difference between medical and recreational marijuana.
It’s about getting healthy. It’s a plant-based medicine from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica species with three major active compounds: THC, CBD, and CBN.
So are we just splitting hairs here?
No… because recreational marijuana is cannabis used for fun rather than for medical reasons. [3] People use it to:
- Feel high and get buzzed
- Relax after work
- Enhance activities like concerts or parties
- Be creative or introspective
In states where it’s legal, adults can buy recreational weed at dispensaries or cannabis shops. No prescription needed. [4]
The Key Differences
So what sets medical and recreational marijuana apart anyway? There are some big ones:
THC vs CBD levels
Medical weed often has more CBD which provides health benefits without much high. Recreational weed is bred to have higher THC to induce a strong high.
Legal status
You need a prescription for medical marijuana. Recreational weed just requires being 21+ where it’s legal. [5]
Motivation
Medical weed treats a diagnosed condition. Recreational is for pleasure and altering your state of mind. [6]
But it’s not always so black and white…
Blurring the Lines
Things aren’t as clear cut as they seem. The boundaries get hazy between medical and recreational sometimes.
For example, some people use recreational weed to self-medicate for stuff like anxiety, depression or insomnia without a prescription. [6]
Which we don’t recommend because having pure and bred medical grade weed is a better high that helps you…
Versus getting local, sometimes pesticide laced bud.
Unfortunately, in states where recreational weed is legal, it can be harder for patients to access medical grade weed. So medical users sometimes turn to the recreational market instead.
This muddies the waters between the two.
The Ongoing Debate
So should we keep medical and recreational marijuana separate?
Or let them overlap more? Good arguments on both sides.
Some doctors want to keep them distinct… That way medical weed maintains credibility as a real treatment.
But others argue too much separation denies potential benefits to recreational users. And reduces access for patients if medical weed gets too restricted.
It’s complicated biz! But we gotta balance open access with safety and responsible use.
Looking Ahead
How might laws and attitudes continue evolving around medical and recreational weed?
Legalization could keep increasing access to both across the country. We may see an explosion of research on medical benefits and risks too. [2]
And marijuana could potentially even get reclassified federally from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2. [1]
One thing’s for sure – with changing laws, the great medical vs. recreational weed debate will continue. But understanding their differences helps us make informed choices about using this complex plant.
The end! Puff, puff, pass.
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