Do you have a medical condition, such as chronic pain, insomnia, or anxiety? Are you looking for alternative ways that can help you cope with it?
If so, one of the options you’ve likely come across is medical marijuana. You may even know people who use it, considering that an estimated 8.3 million Americans say they do so under their doctor’s authorization.
At the same time, you may also know folks who use recreational marijuana. While they’re technically both from the same cannabis plant, they have several differences.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what those differences are. So read on, as what you learn here can help you make a more educated decision if you decide to use cannabis.
What Exactly Is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana (more appropriately known as medical cannabis) is state-regulated cannabis specifically intended for medical purposes. Regulations governing its use vary from one state to another.
For example, some states restrict medical cannabis for specific health conditions. Others allow prescribers to decide if it can help a patient’s health condition. Some states even dictate which type of healthcare professional can recommend its use.
Either way, most states mandate registration with their respective medical cannabis program. This applies to both the prescribing health professional and the person who wishes to use medical cannabis. The exact registration process also varies from one state to another.
What Makes Medical Cannabis Different From Recreational Marijuana?
Recreational marijuana (now often referred to as adult-use cannabis) is cannabis anyone over the age of 21 can buy in states that allow its use. As of November 20233, non-medical or adult-use cannabis is legal in 24 states and D.C.
So, the primary difference between medical and adult-use cannabis is that the former is only for medical purposes. On the other hand, people can purchase and use the latter for reasons other than medical purposes. As long as they are of age, people who wish to buy adult-use cannabis can do so from legal dispensaries.
Buying Requirements
You can only purchase medical marijuana with a medical card. You’d have to present this as proof every time you buy medical cannabis products.
By contrast, you would only have to show an I.D. proving you are of legal age when you buy adult-use cannabis.
Buying Restrictions
Many states restrict medical cannabis purchases to residents. So, even if you have a medical card but are trying to buy medical marijuana in another state, you’ll unlikely be able to get some.
On the other hand, adult-use cannabis shops are typically open to anyone, including out-of-state buyers.
Uses of Medical Cannabis
According to the CDC, the most common reason people say they use medical cannabis is to help manage pain. It further states that some studies found that it may be helpful for neuropathic pain. The latter is a type of chronic pain condition resulting from nerve damage.
In another study, the primary reason cited by U.S. adults for medical cannabis use was to help with anxiety. Many reported using it to help with their insomnia and depression, too. For others, it’s because they have chronic pain.
Researchers are also studying the potential uses of medical cannabis for other conditions. These include the following:
- Spasticity related to multiple sclerosis
- Nausea
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Degenerative neurological conditions
It’s important to note that while the existing findings are promising, researchers say that more studies are necessary.
Uses of Recreational Cannabis
While adult-use cannabis is often associated with “getting high,” many people use it for more than recreation. For instance, some people use or smoke marijuana for spiritual practices and traditions. Others consume it for stress relief, relaxation, motivation, or creative inspiration.Â
How Can You Buy Medical Cannabis?
While the exact process varies from state to state, most require a medical card to purchase medical cannabis. To get this, you must speak with a doctor whom your state has authorized to “recommend” medical marijuana use. Once you find one, talk to them about your condition and if cannabis can help.
If your doctor recommends medical cannabis, they’ll issue an official approval. You’ll use this to register with your state’s medical marijuana registry. Many states where medical cannabis is legal let you do this online.
You’d likely have to pay a fee to get your medical marijuana card. Depending on your state, this can range from $50 to $200.Â
Where Can You Buy Medical Cannabis?
You can buy medical cannabis from your local licensed marijuana dispensary.
Please ensure you verify the dispensary’s licensure because unlicensed shops are rampant. Unfortunately, these illegal dispensaries may be selling unlicensed weed that can do your health more harm than good. For instance, their products may contain harmful contaminants like E. coli, Salmonella, and lead.
Unlicensed dispensaries may also sell marijuana strains with very high weed potency. If you consume this, you could have too much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in your system. This can be dangerous, as THC is the primary psychoactive substance in cannabis.
Excessive levels of THC can result in paranoia and full-blown psychosis.Â
What Cannabis Products Can You Purchase?
In most states, you can buy medical and adult-use cannabis products in plant form. These are usually dried buds for smoking. However, you can also purchase cannabis in the following forms:
- Oral solutions
- Topical creams
- Oils and sprays
- Pills
Some cannabis products, such as those containing other cannabinoids but not THC, are neither medical nor “recreational.” These include cannabidiol (CBD) products and many white label cannabinoids derived from hemp. While hemp is still cannabis, it’s legal at the federal level because it contains 0.3% or less THC.
Speak to Your Doctor Before Using Medical Cannabis
Now that you know how medical marijuana differs from recreational or adult-use cannabis, you can make a more educated choice on which one to get.
If you think that medical cannabis can help with a condition you suffer from, it’s best to speak with your doctor ASAP. This way, they can help determine if it could benefit your health.
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