Comparing Medical vs Recreational Cannabis

Medical cannabis is legal in more than 35 states, while only 19 states have legalized recreational cannabis. This gap in legalization rates has led many people to believe there is a massive difference between the two substances. However, this is not entirely true. Essentially, both products originate from the same plant but are classified differently under the law for legal and taxation reasons. 

Without the correct information, comparing medical vs recreational weed can be pretty confusing. Furthermore, being oblivious to the distinctions between the two cannabis categories can lead to financial ruin if you’re starting a weed brand. This article highlights the difference between medical and rec weed to help weed fanatics better understand how they fit in the cannabis market of the United States.

What Is Recreational Weed?

Recreational cannabis, also known as adult-use cannabis, refers to marijuana strains consumers use for enjoyment rather than for medical benefits. Currently, adults over the age of 21 years can purchase, possess, and consume recreational cannabis in 19 states. 

Even so, recreational weed is still federally illegal. Therefore, state laws dictate how much adult-use weed individuals can have, among other policies concerning the substance. 

Recreational cannabis strains are rich in a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive element in adult-use marijuana responsible for the “high” that’s commonly associated with the plant.

What is Medical Cannabis?

Medical cannabis is a term used to describe any cannabis products that relieve symptoms of mental and physical illness. Cannabis is one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world, dating back thousands of years. Medical cannabis has gained significant popularity in the US over the last few years as dozens of states legalize the substance’s medical use.

It has been difficult for scientists to conduct thorough research on the medical benefits of cannabis in the past because it is federally illegal. However, as cannabis becomes legal in more jurisdictions, researchers have made significant strides in affirming the potential medical benefits of the substance. 

Numerous people use medical cannabis to treat and alleviate conditions like chronic pain, nausea, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, eating disorders, and much more. However, medical cannabis laws vary from state to state. 

For instance, laws governing medical vs recreational in California are more lenient and allow people to access weed without medical cards. Moreover, medical cannabis patients within the state can purchase marijuana products at recreational cannabis dispensaries. On the flip side, states like New York have more strict guidelines.

Differences Between Medical and Recreational Cannabis

Contrary to popular belief, there are no significant differences between adult-use and medical cannabis. That said, there are a few key distinctions between the two, most of which are influenced by the industry. Here are some of the factors that differentiate medical marijuana vs recreational cannabis. 

Availability 

Quite frankly, both medical and recreational cannabis is illegal on a federal level. As a result, the law does not allow cannabis products to cross state lines. Still, medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 states, while recreational cannabis is legal in 19 states. 

What’s more, medical cannabis patients must enroll in medical marijuana programs and acquire a medical card from a licensed physician before they can buy any medical marijuana products. On the other hand, any adult over 21 years can purchase recreational cannabis from licensed dispensaries in states where it is legal to do so. 

Medical vs Recreational Cannabis Packaging

The requirements for cannabis packaging depend on whether the products are for medical or recreational use. For this reason, marijuana business owners must stay updated with these guidelines to ensure they comply with state cannabis laws. 

The key difference between medical and recreational cannabis packaging is that adult-use weed products have more leeway. Therefore, recreational marijuana companies have more wiggle room for customizing and branding their adult-use weed packaging. 

On the other hand, medical dispensary packaging has more stringent laws. Although the exact requirements for packaging medical marijuana vary from state to state, there are a few universal rules. For instance, the law typically requires Rx medical cannabis labels to include a list of all active ingredients and their portions. Similarly, most states that have legalized medical cannabis require dispensaries to provide medical cannabis Rx bags to conceal the products. 

Cost  

As you would expect, medical and recreational cannabis have different price tags. Since adult-use cannabis taxes are higher, recreational weed users tend to pay more for their cannabis. Still, the price difference between medical and recreational ranges widely depending on several factors. In some jurisdictions, recreational cannabis tax can reach nearly 30%, which forces marijuana producers and retailers to push the extra costs to consumers. Conversely, medical cannabis products are often entitled to tax breaks.

THC vs CBD Levels

Another principal difference is the CBD and THC levels in medical vs recreational cannabis. THC and CBD are the two main chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary compound responsible for the mind-altering “high” associated with weed, while cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has several medical benefits.

So, is dispensary weed stronger? Most cannabis strains, whether they are labeled as recreational or medical, have relatively similar amounts of THC and CBD. Consequently, THC and CBD levels don’t make cannabis products recreational or medical. The main difference is how the products are labeled and where they are sold. 

Even so, most people using cannabis for medical purposes desire the product’s health benefits without the psychoactive effects. Hence, when it comes to medical vs recreational potency, most medical marijuana strains contain lower amounts of THC and higher CBD levels. On the other hand, recreational marijuana strains have higher THC levels and contain low amounts of CBD.