Siete Amigos - Cannabis 101

Recreational vs. Medical Use

by SieteAmigos Admin
Updated September 11, 2024

Siete Amigos Staff
July 17, 2024

Today, 40 states and the District of Columbia have authorized the use of medical marijuana for various medical conditions (although these vary by jurisdiction).

Recreational marijuana use has also been legalized by states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, plus the District of Columbia.

What is the difference between medical and recreational marijuana?

Medical cannabis (marijuana) and adult-use (recreational) weed are two categories of cannabis.
Medical and adult use are legal categories, not different kinds of cannabis plants or products, so technically, there is no difference between the marijuana plant and products used to treat medical conditions or those used for recreational purposes. Scientists have found that the THC concentration of both is similar. The main difference between medical and recreational marijuana is how they are sold.

For example, to purchase medical marijuana through a state’s medical program, you must have a healthcare professional’s authorization and approval (a “card”) from the state.

But recreational marijuana purchases in qualifying states can be made by any person over the age of 21.

Is there a quality difference between medicinal and recreational marijuana?

It depends. The cannabis plants used to make medical and adult-use cannabis products are the same. But each state has different regulations for the products sold in cannabis dispensaries. A state’s regulations are usually the same for both medical and adult-use locations, but not always.

Here are the main ways medical and adult-use cannabis products can differ:

Potency: Some states have a cap on how potent cannabis products can be. Others allow more potent products in medical dispensaries, since they’re only accessible with a healthcare professional’s approval.

Dosage forms: Cannabis comes in many different forms, from smokable plant material to edible candy. Different products may be available at different types of dispensaries. Often, things like capsules and tinctures are more common at medical dispensaries, and things like joints and gummies are more common at adult-use dispensaries.

Contaminants: Cannabis products can contain contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals. So, states often have regulations that limit the amount of contaminants in regulated products. Sometimes, these regulations are stricter for medical products, since people with medical conditions may be more sensitive to contaminants.

Accessibility: You can only purchase medical cannabis with approval from a healthcare professional. And many states won’t allow you to purchase medical cannabis with an out-of-state medical card. Adult-use dispensaries are generally open to anyone, whether they’re a state resident or not.

How to determine the quality of your cannabis

The best way to learn about the quality of any legal cannabis product is to do your research:

Shop at regulated dispensaries. The best place to start is your state government website. Most states have an online registry of legal dispensaries. Your state may also have a license that regulated dispensaries are required to have on display.

Check the label. Regulated products should have the ingredients listed clearly, a lot number, and an expiration date. They should also include the manufacturer’s name and contact information.

Ask for a certificate of analysis. Regulated dispensaries should only sell products that have a certificate of analysis. This is a test result showing potency results and contaminant levels done by an independent laboratory. Every state has a different list of required tests. Often, it’s accessible via a QR code on the packaging, but the dispensary should also be able to provide it to you upon request.

Search for the lab name. It’s also worth doing a quick online search for the name of the lab that conducted the cannabis testing. Cannabis labs are frequently caught manipulating test results. An online search can help you find information about labs that have been fined for breaking rules.

What are the THC and CBD levels in medicinal vs. recreational weed?

It depends on your state laws. People often think that medical cannabis is higher in THC, but that’s not necessarily true.

Cannabis contains more than 100 active compounds, called cannabinoids. The two most common cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is the primary mind-altering chemical found in cannabis that gives people a “high” feeling. It’s also helpful for nausea and pain relief. CBD is not intoxicating but also has medical uses. Products may also contain other cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG).

Most of both medical and adult-use cannabis is high in THC and low in CBD, according to one nationwide study. But medical dispensaries may have a wider variety of products, including high CBD and balanced THC and CBD items. This helps meet a wider variety of medical needs. Sometimes, medical dispensaries also have products with a higher THC potency for the same reason. But as mentioned, this can vary from state to state. And sometimes the opposite is true, with adult-use dispensaries having a wider variety of potencies available.

The best way to know what’s available in the different dispensaries is to review your state regulations. You can also call or stop by a registered dispensary — the staff should be knowledgeable about your local regulations.

Is there a price difference between medical and adult-use cannabis?

Yes. Medical cannabis is often more affordable than adult-use cannabis. This is usually because medical cannabis often isn’t taxed as heavily as adult-use cannabis. And you may be able to purchase a larger quantity of cannabis with a medical card.

But prices can also vary widely between states. For example, some states require a pharmacist in medical cannabis dispensaries. And the cost of having a medical professional on-site results in more expensive medical cannabis products than in states without this requirement.

What is the legal status of medical and adult-use cannabis?

According to federal law, all cannabis is illegal. This includes both medical and adult-use cannabis that’s regulated at the state level. However, there is a growing movement in Congress to legalize cannabis nationwide.

Keep in mind that federal law overrides state laws. So, until the legal status of cannabis changes at the federal level, there are some important things to consider:

– Taking cannabis across state lines is illegal
– Flying with cannabis is illegal
– Testing positive for cannabis can lead to an employer denying you a job in most cases
– Consuming cannabis can lead to losing housing, healthcare insurance, or child custody

It’s a good idea to weigh the benefits and risks before consuming cannabis. In many cases, you can minimize your risk of legal action by consuming cannabis responsibly according to your state laws.

How do states regulate medical and recreational marijuana products?

Regulations differ based on whether the marijuana is used for medical, medical and recreational, CBD, or medical CBD.

Key Definitions:

Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana (or the preferred term, medical cannabis) is state-regulated cannabis that’s intended for medical purposes. Some have a specific list of health conditions that determine who’s eligible for medical cannabis. Others leave it up to your prescriber to decide if medical cannabis may help your specific health condition. Cannabis is only legal for medical purposes if a person has a qualifying condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, or multiple sclerosis — although qualifying conditions vary by state.

Most states require both the healthcare professional and the person consuming the cannabis to register with the state medical cannabis program. This process also differs between states, as does which healthcare professionals are allowed to recommend medical cannabis.

Despite its name, medical cannabis products aren’t regulated by the FDA the way pharmaceutical medications are. Instead, they’re regulated by the state they’re sold in. And there aren’t approved doses or formulations of medical cannabis for specific health conditions.

This means that legally, healthcare professionals can’t prescribe medical cannabis. They can only certify that you qualify for it or “recommend” it as a possible treatment option. This can make it hard for people to know what products to purchase and what dosage to take when they go to a medical cannabis dispensary.

Recreational Marijuana

Adult-use (recreational) cannabis refers to laws that allow anyone over the age of 21 to buy cannabis products. Adult-use dispensaries are state-regulated. As of April 2023, 24 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized adult-use cannabis. These laws treat cannabis like alcohol by allowing adults to buy it without a doctor’s recommendation.

Most people associate recreational cannabis use with “getting high.” But the preferred term is now “adult use” instead of “recreational use,” because there are many reasons people consume cannabis other than just for recreation.

U.S. adults are increasingly turning to cannabis to improve their overall health and wellness. And many people purchase cannabis at recreational dispensaries for medical reasons, too.

Some of the reasons people consume cannabis are:

– To improve sexual enjoyment
– As an effective substitute for alcohol
– For spiritual practices
– To help with motivation and recovery related to exercising
– To help with stress relief
– For creative inspiration

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient in cannabis that is derived from the hemp plant. CBD sales are federally legal if the product contains less than 0.3% THC. While some states allow CBD over-the-counter sales, others only permit the sale of CBD if it has no THC.

Still, there remains much confusion surrounding CBD as federal and state laws change and differ. As a result, certain states, such as Ohio, Iowa, and Texas, have raided non-compliant hemp and CBD stores.

Medical CBD

Some states allow the use of medical CBD but restrict its use to those who have a prescription.

For example, in 2015, Georgia authorized the possession of low THC oil to persons with certain medical conditions or their caregivers if they possess a legal THC oil card. Low THC oil is an oil that contains an amount of cannabidiol and not more than 5% by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), or a combination of the two which does not contain plant material exhibiting the external morphological features of the plant of the genus Cannabis.

Meanwhile, in Idaho, it is legal to use cannabis extracts high in CBD to treat qualifying conditions only if the CBD contains both zero THC and is derived from one of the five identified parts of the cannabis plant, otherwise it is illegal. These parts include mature stalks; fiber produced from the stalks; oil or cake made from the seeds or the achene of such plant; any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalk; or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.