Medical vs Recreational Weed: what you need to know
What is the Difference Between Medical and Recreational Cannabis?
You’ve probably heard others ask or wondered to yourself “what is the difference between medical and recreational weed?”. The standards and distinguishing characteristics between programs in each state depend on state law. How established the markets are in a state will make an impact as well. Products containing THC on the medical and recreational market are both derived from the same plant genus, Cannabis (Cannabis Sativa). You will find a range of products from high-THC flower to lower-concentrated options in both medicinal and recreational cannabis stores.
Medical Cannabis
When interested in cannabis use one often wonders “Is medical marijuana different than recreational?” In Maine, the medical cannabis program was legalized and established in 1999 and has continued to advance in accessibility over time. In 2016 when Maine decriminalized cannabis, there was also an expansion of the medical program allowing possession of up to 2.5 ounces (not surpassing 5 grams of concentrate). At a medical cannabis store in Maine, you’re likely to find products with higher THC concentrations than in adult use stores. That is because Maine limits package of recreational cannabis products to 100mg THC. There is no functional limit to the concentration of THC in medical cannabis products.
You’ll come across many options that either don’t contain THC or include what are called minor cannabinoids. Using a combination of THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and other cannabinoids creates an “entourage effect”. The entourage effect refers to how cannabinoids work best together. The synergistic relationship between cannabinoids offers you the ability to fine-tune the effects you’re looking for. Are you looking for relief with less high? Including these other cannabinoids with THC would be a great place to start.
Acidic cannabinoids (ex. CBDa, THCa, CBGa, CBNa) and activated neutral cannabinoids (ex. THC, CBD, CBG) provide benefits alone but are usually most helpful in a combination. The acidic precursors, such as THCa, CBGa, and CBDa metabolize differently than THC and CBD. They are non-psychoactive and rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, and tote anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective qualities.
Many medical storefronts strive to provide products in various administrations with high efficacy for a patient’s specific needs. At Maine Cannabis Exchange’s medical storefront you’ll find topicals, capsules, and tinctures as well as concentrates, edibles, and flower.
In the industry, there is a trend to breed CBD and minor cannabinoids back into flower for higher therapeutic potential. People often ask “is medical marijuana stronger than recreational marijuana?”. In both programs, there is a plethora of flower ranging in potencies. Most stores aim to provide options so each person can find something appropriate for their specific needs and THC tolerance.
At Maine Cannabis Exchange’s medical storefront, you can purchase CBD and other minor cannabinoid products under the legal limit (0.3% THC) without a medical card. We offer an in-house CBD and CBG tincture that is full-spectrum and derived from local and ethically sourced hemp. Full spectrum refers to a product that retains more plant chemicals from cannabis than just one cannabinoid in isolation.
We’re starting to see more use of CBG. Our in-house CBG or CBD:CBG tincture is a great place to start experimenting with it yourself. CBG is considered “the mother of all cannabinoids” as CBGa is the precursor molecule that develops initially in the plant before maturation. It is considered non-impairing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. People see it as a great companion to CBD as they’re often looked to for similar benefits.
You may notice products featuring CBN, a cannabinoid byproduct of degraded CBD or THC. CBN can be sleep-promoting or sedative. It is often incorporated in a CBD product aimed at directional sleep effects. There’s also a range of topicals, edibles, and tinctures from other reliable brands to discover.
Recreational Cannabis
On the recreational market, you will still encounter products that contain CBD and other non-psychoactive beneficial cannabinoids. There is more of a tendency to focus on flower bred for high THC and mind-altering effects.
There is a limitation of 100mg of THC for recreational products in Maine. Meaning tinctures, topicals, and edibles in a recreational store will not surpass 100mgs due to law and compliance.
Those who are cannabis-curious and seek medicinal benefits but are hesitant about how their unique chemistry could react to a THC product may first want to try a low-dose product on the recreational market before pursuing their medical card. While there is a lot to differentiate between medical and recreational stores, both programs have the same maximum quantity when purchasing. One can purchase 2.5 ounces and no more than 5 grams of concentrate in one visit.
Some cannabis activists prefer the terminology “adult use” over recreational to culturally reframe that cannabis bought on this market can still retain medicinal value. Rewriting the narrative of cannabis use in efforts of destigmatization requires education and harm reduction, which ethical medical and recreational storefronts aim to provide. For example, if a recreational customer is using a low dose 1:1 edible for stress relief and sleep benefits, while bought recreationally it shouldn’t be discarded as non-therapeutic.
The distinction between medical vs recreational weed is often a legal one more than it is a physical one. Despite the differences in programs, there is overlap in most instances.
How do I get my Medical Card in Maine?
In the state of Maine, medical cannabis can be obtained at a licensed medical cannabis storefront by individuals with a Maine medical cannabis certification or with an out-of-state medical cannabis certificate.
An out-of-state medical card must be on the Office of Maine Cannabis Policy’s list of approved reciprocal states. Maine’s reciprocity is actively updated and currently includes:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Washington, DC.
As each state’s medical cannabis program is unique it is important to convene with a provider or caregiver and lastly dispensary staff to find a comparable product. Concentration, potency, and cannabinoid minimum and maximums differ in each state.
Maine residencies no longer require qualifying conditions or referral from a primary care doctor to obtain a medical cannabis certification. It is up to a P.O., N.P., M.D., or D.O. licensed to write medical marijuana certifications. They would determine if an individual would benefit medically from cannabis. A medical cannabis certification in Maine is valid for a year until recertification is required. We partner with Joe Sorbello, a Physician Assistant who visits our Medical storefront multiple Monday’s a month to write certifications for new or returning Medical patients.
It is best to discuss the option of cannabis with your primary or trusted care provider. In certain instances, a patient can receive a medical cannabis certification free of charge through their primary. It’s recommended a medical provider be involved in finding the best cannabis protocol for you. They can guide you if there are contraindications to THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids based on medical history or interactions with pharmaceuticals. When interested in inhaling cannabis, it’s important to receive approval from a provider who can assess risks and benefits.
The medical field is becoming more acquainted with the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. A cannabis-aware doctor may recommend cannabis to a patient that’s likely to benefit medically.
Some may look to cannabis as an option to replace or supplement pharmaceuticals. It’s incredibly important to consult your doctor on how to best approach that goal and follow their recommended protocol. In some instances, THC and pharmaceuticals can potentiate the effects of each other. Both CBD and THC can also potentially interfere with the metabolism of medications. THC is a partial agonist to receptors that are found in human cardiovascular tissue and some cases can be shown to increase blood pressure and heart rate after use. A doctor is essential to assess these potential risks. This is particularly true for a patient with a complex medical history.
Price Difference Between Medical and Recreational
Currently in Maine, a difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana is the price point. Medical cannabis tends to be a more accessible price. As the recreational industry develops we may see a fluctuation or decrease in price.
Generally, the price point per milligram in edibles, tinctures, and topicals is significantly lower in the medical market. The ability to dose higher edibles than 100mg allows companies to lower their manufacturing costs. As the concentration increases, the price point per mg generally decreases. A patient can still dose with precision by understanding the concentration of milligrams per serving.
Recreational cannabis is generally more costly due to many factors. The recreational licensing fee for business owners tends to be substantially higher. Additionally, there is costly mandatory testing for cannabinoids, mold, pesticides, and residual solvents, among other requirements. There is also more rigorous compliant packaging. This accumulation of factors creates inflation for the cultivator, manufacturer, and retailer which increases the customer’s price.
Medical marijuana vs recreational marijuana is also taxed differently. Medical cannabis is taxed at 5.5% and 8% for edibles and no excise tax. Recreational cannabis is taxed at 10% with an excise tax on weight and quantity.
Some vendors or companies in Maine have a medical caregiver’s license as well as a recreational license. A cultivator or manufacturer could choose to participate in both markets. It requires them to grow or manufacture products separately while obliging to a different set of compliance for each. As a customer of both types of stores, you’ll encounter some brands that cross over both medical and recreational storefronts. If you find your favorite product you’ve bought medically at a recreational store there will be some alterations. These changes would include decreasing concentration to 100mg and including unique tested batch results.
The therapeutic products available on the medical market and their superior value are an incentive for Mainers to recertify as medical marijuana patients each year. With a decrease in price for medical card certifications over the past few years and current higher recreational prices, you will likely find the difference paid between a medical and recreational shop will pay for your certification.
We’re incredibly lucky to have a longstanding medical program and a burgeoning recreational program in the state of Maine. The accessibility has provided harm reduction and safer options for our communities. Together the industry, lawmakers, and cannabis users alike continue the education of ourselves and others to diminish stigma.
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