Medical Marijuana VS Marijuana – A Detailed Comparison
Due to the multiple health benefits of marijuana, doctors recommend it to cure some particular disorders. Despite health purposes, it has been seen that people started relying on marijuana as a source of pleasure.
By looking at the present scenario, there comes a question of whether it’s healthy to use marijuana for recreational purposes. Is there any difference between medical marijuana and recreational one? Well, the answer to these questions lies in the difference in chemical nature.
In this blog, we will highlight the medical marijuana vs. marijuana purposes, benefits, and risks associated with these.
Is there any Difference Between Medical Marijuana And Simple Marijuana?
The answer to this question is under great controversy. According to certified medical marijuana experts, the usage and clinical perspectives of marijuana vary from state to state due to variations in state laws and plant species.
Marijuana is extractions of any part of a plant (from the genus Cannabis). Whether the extracted parts are growing or not, marijuana is obtained from every seed, leaf, and resin of a plant in different forms. It can be low-THC cannabis as well as high-THC cannabis.
For health purposes, low-THC cannabis is preferred. This medical marijuana is dispensed to different patients and caregivers at special medical marijuana treatment centers.
On the other hand, recreational marijuana has high strains of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Such marijuana is often taken in without any medical recommendation. However, physicians and doctors recommend the intake of medical marijuana in the form of creams, oils, tinctures, sprays, and suppositories.
According to the medicinal marijuana research by Harvard researchers, it has been found that marijuana obtained from the same plant species can be used for both purposes. When recreational consumers intake marijuana, they prefer one having high THC content. At the same time, medicinal marijuana is always prescribed per the severity of patient symptoms.
How does Medicinal Marijuana Vs. Marijuana Affect Your Body?
The main psychoactive compound present in marijuana is THC. The higher TCH you take in, the higher you will feel. It depicts that recreational marijuana creates an immediate state of relaxation for you. At the same time, medicinal marijuana takes some time to relieve your mental stress.
Whenever a marijuana consumer takes in it, two cannabinoid receptors of our body become active. These are the receptors effective in controlling feelings of pain, pleasure, rage, and other mood swings. THC binds with these receptors, and you feel euphoric or so-called high. This high sensation is usual in recreational marijuana.
Conversely, medicinal marijuana having low-THC and high CBD does not bind with these receptors immediately. It is believed that CBD works on other body elements linked with the physical and mental well-being of the body. That’s how medical marijuana causes a long-lasting curative yet slow response on your body.
What’s Legal: Medical Marijuana Vs. Marijuana?
The legal regulations for the usage of marijuana continue to change from time to time. Nowadays, many states allow the intake of medical marijuana for treatment. In the meantime, it’s illegal in some other states. We suggest you check your state rules and regulations before purchasing and using marijuana containing CBD and THC.
In the state of Florida, you must need a prescription for using medical marijuana from any certified medical marijuana expert. If you have all the medical conditions to get marijuana, you will get a medical marijuana card. That’s how you will be able to purchase medical marijuana from any MMTC or dispensary by presenting your medical card.
However, recreational marijuana is not legally allowed in Florida. The only state that is offering recreational marijuana legally to anyone over 21 years old in Colorado. You can get both medical marijuana and simple marijuana in Colorado by showing a valid photo ID at a dispensary. Legal permissions and recommendations are one of the key differences in medical marijuana vs. marijuana comparison.
Difference in Chemical Nature of Medical Marijuana and Regular Marijuana
Although there is no major difference between medical and recreational marijuana, their effect varies. The thing that makes a difference in the effect of the two is the percentage of marijuana strains. Medical marijuana is highly dominating in cannabidiol (CBD), while recreational marijuana is associated with high contents of THC strains.
Moreover, cannabidiol-associated marijuana strains are not psychoactive, causing slow responses in the brain. It depicts that medical marijuana doesn’t make you feel high like recreational marijuana rich in psychoactive strains. People often use the strains of THC to get immediate relief from chronic pains, but it’s not medically recommended.
Medical Benefits: Medical Marijuana vs. Marijuana
As both CBD and THC are helpful in medical purposes, doctors still avoid using recreational marijuana for curative effects. It’s because THC causes a euphoric effect that can be contagious to your health. To avoid the side effects of euphoric sensation, doctors and physicians recommend CBD-containing medical marijuana use.
One of the main prescriptions for medical marijuana containing CBD is Epidiolex. It is effective in controlling and treating different forms of epilepsy. The following are some conditions in which a regular dose of medical marijuana is very effective:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Migraine
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Inflammation
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Psychosis or mental disorders
However, you can also use recreational marijuana to get rid of pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, glaucoma, low appetite, and muscle spasticity. If you are suffering from chronic pain, you can go with recreational marijuana. Otherwise, try to prefer medical marijuana to have long-lasting health benefits.
Side Effects: Medical Marijuana Vs. Marijuana
Just like the medical advantages of both medical and regular marijuana, there are some hazards associated with the two. In terms of side effects, regular or recreational marijuana is more dangerous because of the high content of psychoactive THC. It’s not tolerable for a body to take a large dose of THC.
On the other hand, large dose tolerance of CBD containing medical marijuana doesn’t cause spontaneous numbness or unconsciousness. It doesn’t mean that medical marijuana causes no side effects on your health. The fact is that medical marijuana causes permanent side effects in the body while recreational marijuana causes temporary side effects.
Some of the temporary side effects of marijuana (regular) are red eyes, anxiety, memory loss, coordination problems, increased heart rate, dry mouth, and slower reaction times. Long Term side effects of medical marijuana are dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea, and appetite change.
All these side effects are somehow associated with the psychoactive effects.
Concluding Remarks!
Both medical and regular marijuana has some medical benefits and side effects. If you are taking marijuana for the betterment of your health, consult your marijuana doctor first. Never consume too much marijuana, particularly recreational marijuana containing high TLC, as it affects adolescence. Make sure to follow your marijuana doctor’s recommendation and state laws to get marijuana legally.
In case you are looking for the best marijuana doctors, look no further than medcardtoday.com. We are the team of the best and leading medical marijuana doctors in West Palm Beach, delivering our services to patients in need. Schedule an appointment today and feel free to call us at (561) 766-1776.