Key Differences Between Recreational and Medical Marijuana

The cannabis sativa plant has been used for various purposes for thousands of years. Starting from material for clothes and as food, the plant has always had a wide range of uses.

Smoking recreational cannabis has become popular quite recently, yet it was named dangerous and banned in most countries. 

However, the situation quickly changed when scientists discovered that medical marijuana could be beneficial in treating symptoms of several conditions, like pain, tension, mental health diseases, and many others. But with the increased need for this type of weed, it becomes harder for patients to find the right strain for them. So what is the difference between recreational and medical cannabis? Let’s explore this below.

What Is Recreational Cannabis?

Recreational cannabis, also known as weed, dope, pot, and grass, is the most widely used cannabis sativa plant. Recreational cannabis means weed smoked for enjoyment rather than for treating symptoms of health conditions. People like to smoke recreational weed thanks to its psychoactive effects caused by the cannabinoid THC, which produces feelings of happiness and relaxation and leads to better sleep, depending on the strain type.

What Is Medicinal Cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis is a broad term describing any sort of cannabis-bred medicinal strain that is grown to relieve symptoms of physical and mental health issues. There are only a few reasons why medical cannabis can be prescribed by the medical cannabis clinics, and they include:

• Children and adults struggling with rare, severe forms of epilepsy;
• Adults struggling with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy;
• Patients struggling from muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS);
• Patients with chronic pain;
• Patients with severe anxiety and depression.

Even though the research on this topic is growing, more scientific evidence is needed to make any medical claims. In addition, medical cannabis is prescribed only in cases when other treatments aren’t suitable or haven’t been effective. 

The Difference Between Recreational And Medicinal Cannabis

The key difference between medical and recreational weed is that cannabis cultivated for medical purposes is GMP certified. This certificate means the highest quality with a detailed composition of cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

In addition, the UK’s licensing and regulation of marijuana-based medicinal products are performed by a trusted face known as out by the Home Office Department of Health and Social Care and the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency.

Buying medical cannabis from untrusted providers or on the street means you get recreational one. Therefore, you won’t be able to check the composition and won’t know what benefits it may have for your health disease, while also you will put yourself in danger. In fact, unregulated cannabis usually has chemicals like heavy metals, pesticides, and mold since manufacturers use cheap growing and extraction methods.

Final Thoughts

With the legalization of medicinal marijuana UK, untrusted providers started to sell weed that may cause issues instead of providing any health benefits. That is why it is critical to know how medical and recreational marijuana differs from choosing the right weed for your health.

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