Every stoner knows that smoking a doobie or two usually results in a good time. But did you know that your stash can be medically prescribed?
Recently, conversations regarding marijuana have become a lot more nuanced. In the last decade, legislation has changed in favor of attempting to understand cannabis and its health benefits.
Think about it, CBD products have become a lot more available, countries around the world are decriminalizing THC-dominant marijuana, and entertainment is treating weed like it’s less of an “issue” than before. Even medical professionals are starting to sing different tunes when it comes to the various health reasons for letting people get high!
But what’s the difference between using marijuana for fun, or to stay healthy?
Medical Marijuana vs Recreational
THC… What the hell is it?
Before we talk about medical vs. recreational marijuana, we need to know what marijuana even is.
In a recent article, we talked about the difference between hemp and marijuana. What it boils down to is, hemp and marijuana come from the cannabis plant. Where hemp is the plant itself, marijuana is the budding flower produced by the cannabis plant.
Marijuana produces a psychoactive chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC can also be found in hemp of course, but the concentration would be much lower than in pure marijuana.
The coolest part about THC is that it is similar to cannabinoid chemicals already produced in the human body. Cannabinoid receptors lie in the parts of your brain that deal with memory, pleasure, coordination, and time perception. So, when you introduce THC to your brain, it attaches to those receptors, activates them, and works out any operational and motor skills related to those parts of your brain. You can learn a lot more about THC and its effects on the body HERE.
Let’s roll on over to what you really want to know: the difference between medical and recreational marijuana.
The Difference Between Medical Marijuana & Recreational Marijuana
All marijuana has medicinal value even if used recreationally, but does that mean that medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are the same?
In recent years, medical marijuana has become legal in many states across the country. This is because it has been proven to be an effective treatment for conditions such as epilepsy and cancer. However, many people are still confused by the difference between medical and recreational marijuana.
The obvious difference between medical marijuana vs recreational is the name. One is used for recreation and the other is used for medication. Another major difference is that the growing process and conditions of medical marijuana are slightly different from recreational.
Since being considered “medicine”, medically grown marijuana is often used in tested conditions. Recreational marijuana doesn’t have to go through the same hoops and restrictions that medical does. Recreational marijuana can be grown anywhere from farmlands to grow houses (and even your basement).
The most notable difference, however, is taxes. As a medicine, it is offered just as any other prescription is priced. However, for those who use the plant for a recreational purpose a small tax is to be added.
Still, many would argue that ALL cannabis use is medical.
Medical Marijuana
“Medical marijuana” is the term used to describe the use of cannabis as a form of treatment for an illness or condition. It’s a broad term encompassing many different treatment types and products, including edibles, topicals, tinctures, and more.
It’s been shown to work effectively in treating pain, nausea, and vomiting caused by chemotherapy treatments, muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis, and many other conditions that are difficult to treat.
Marijuana can be used to treat many conditions including glaucoma, nausea caused by chemotherapy, pain from cancer and other diseases, muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), Crohn’s disease or spinal cord injuries, and seizure disorders like epilepsy. It is also used as an alternative treatment for anxiety and depression.
If you are unsure if medical marijuana is legal in your state, click here!
Recreational Marijuana
Recreational marijuana is a type of cannabis that’s used purely for recreational purposes. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is!
Recreational marijuana is consumed for recreation and pleasure. It is most often smoked, but can also be ingested in food or drink via edibles.
Recreational marijuana is similar to medical marijuana, except it’s for fun. The main difference between them here is that recreational marijuana can be used by anyone over the age of 21, while medical marijuana requires a prescription from a doctor.
If you are unsure if recreational marijuana is legal in your state, click here!
Staying High and Staying Healthy
The debate between the pros and cons of medical marijuana has been raging for decades, but the benefits to patients are undeniable. It’s time to put an end to the stigma around cannabis and start treating it as a medicine that can help millions of people with a variety of ailments.
Recreational and medical marijuana are basically the same.
So what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re looking for a way to manage pain or anxiety, then medical marijuana might be right for you! But if all you care about is getting high, kicking back and chillaxing with minimal side effects, then maybe recreational marijuana is more up your alley…
We’d love to know what you think, so take two hits and drop your thoughts below!
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