The difference between Medical and Recreational Cannabis is that one is used for medicinal purposes; it can only be obtained with a prescription. Recreational, on the other hand, is legal to use by adults in states where it is permitted; but not necessarily for medicinal reasons.
Cannabis has been used as medicine for thousands of years across many cultures. It was made illegal in the United States in 1937. Studies have since proven that it can relieve symptoms like chronic pain. It can also help treat a wide range of illnesses like cancer, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease.
Medical marijuana is legal in some capacity. It has been legalized on the federal level for medicinal use in over half of the United States. In the states that have legalized it, a prescription by a medical doctor is required to purchase weed.
Recreational, on the other hand, has been legal for adult consumption in 9 states:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Vermont, and
- Washington
- The District of Colombia.
Adults over 21 years old are legally allowed to possess, consume and grow recreational Cannabis in these areas. So far, the legalization of recreational use has not affected the state’s medical marijuana programs. Recreational weed is not available on a prescription basis; it can only be bought at dispensaries with a valid ID proving that the buyer is of age.
However, as of the 2016 Election – four states have legalized recreational marijuana:
- California
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- Nevada.
Many more will likely follow suit in the coming years. In 2018 alone, eight states are putting a recreational cannabis legalization measure on their ballot, Arizona being one of them.
The most significant difference between these two types is the legality when purchasing it.
A doctor can prescribe Medical Cannabis to treat certain illnesses and symptoms. It’s available in dispensaries with your physician’s approval. Recreational marijuana, on the other hand, cannot be purchased without the required legal age that varies from state to state.
When it comes to purchasing medical marijuana, the difference between these two types of Cannabis can be complicated. Medical is used to treat symptoms and illnesses such as chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer, and even anxiety. Recreational Cannabis, however, isn’t sold in a store but rather at dispensaries that have a license from the state they reside in, allowing them to sell marijuana to adult consumers.
The most significant difference between these two types of marijuana is that medical can be purchased with a valid prescription from your doctor.
Recreational, on the other hand, is only available at dispensaries where you must be over 21 years old to buy it. It is also important to note that Medical Cannabis has been legalized in more states than recreational use. As of right now, it is legal in 29 states.
One of the most significant differences between Medical marijuana and Recreational Cannabis is that medical Cannabis can be bought at dispensaries with a valid prescription –. In contrast, recreational marijuana cannot be purchased legally anywhere but at certain state-licensed stores (known as dispensaries).
Learn how to get your Medical Marijuana Recommendation
