Medical VS Recreational Cannabis Use: 6 Key Differences

In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between using cannabis medicinally versus using it recreationally.

With Medicinal Cannabis, the Point is Not to Get High

There are a variety of reasons that someone may choose to use cannabis medicinally. It can be deployed to help manage symptoms related to several health conditions, including Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s, and dozens of others. 

People do not take medicinal cannabis for the sole reason of getting high as those who use it recreationally do. Research has shown that marijuana used for medicinal purposes can engage positively with the human Endocannabinoid system, the mechanism by which marijuana is able to produce these therapeutic effects.

Medicinal is Legal, Recreational is Not

At the time of writing, canabis UK remains a schedule 2 class B drug. This means that if you’re caught in possession of cannabis without a valid prescription, you could face time in prison and a financial penalty. 

Meanwhile, medicinal marijuana is legal for therapeutic use but has to be prescribed by a specialist doctor listed on the Specialist Register under the General Medical Council.

Medical Cannabis is Cleaner, Better-Quality

When prescribed medical cannabis, you can be sure that the quality is much better and safer than recreational marijuana derived from illicit sources. The fact is, when you buy marijuana from a street dealer, you never truly know where the dealer has got it from or what might be laced into it.

By contrast, cannabis prescribed for medical use is grown under stricter regulations in a more controlled environment. Typically, medical-grade marijuana is grown indoors, while recreational cannabis can be grown either outdoors or indoors. There are also tighter regulations on the conditions into which medical-grade cannabis is grown, and issues like pesticide use will be taken into consideration. Overall, it’s difficult to deny that medicinal cannabis is cultivated with a greater level of care and attention than cannabis grown for recreational use.

The Differences in THC and CBD Levels

Medical cannabis and recreational cannabis are likely to differ in their Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. CBD and THC are the principal compounds found in cannabis, but their effects diverge quite starkly.

Marijuana meant for recreational usage predominantly has a higher THC content and less CBD. THC is the psychoactive cannabis-constituent that intoxicates users, causing those characteristic effects we all associate with cannabis, like euphoria and hunger, to name a couple. Though THC has some therapeutic benefits, it doesn’t compare to its fellow cannabinoid, CBD.

CBD has proved itself to be reliable when it comes to managing a vast range of symptoms. Those seeking the medicinal benefits of marijuana would need a higher CBD content and a lower THC level to avoid becoming high. Medical-grade marijuana would likely have this CBD-favouring ratio.

You Have to Qualify for Medicinal Cannabis

Medicinal cannabis can be challenging to secure within the British health system, as no GP can prescribe it. You’ll need to be referred to a specialist to discuss the option of medical marijuana, and even then, it can’t just be any specialist. As mentioned earlier, the specialist has to be registered on the General Medical Council Specialist Register and will still expect you to have tried various other treatment solutions before agreeing to prescribe medicinal marijuana.

One is Supplied by a Trusted Figure

Medical cannabis is prescribed only by specialist doctors. As such, you can be sure it is coming from a safe, legitimate source rather than a supplier you don’t know. Purchasing marijuana illegally from a drug dealer carries a number of risks to your personal safety; dealers are often affiliated with gangs and involved in crime, so they could potentially harm you.

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