From afar, the worlds of medical and recreational cannabis may look identical, but the differences are unique and expanding more than ever before. With more dispensaries popping up as legalization spreads across the states, it can be hard to identify the best one to suit your cannabis needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions and concerns people have when it comes to medical and recreational products.
Do Medical Patients and Rec Users Have Access to the Same Bud and Concentrates?
Both recreational and medical herb can offer serious quality, strength, and relief. Experienced budtenders from both sides of the cannabis road can help you find the right strain and product type for your needs. The main difference between the two depends on your preferred concentration and amount you’re able to purchase.
For example, medical edibles can be sold in higher doses, unlike recreational which is capped at 100mg and has to be labeled in 10mg increments.
Do Medical Patients and Rec Users Have Access to the Same Amount of Cannabis to Purchase?
With mmj, you can buy 2 oz's (with a card for 6 plants) instead of 1 for recreational. Medical edibles and concentrates don't have equivalencies like the recreational side does so medical patients can buy more edibles and concentrates. Recreational max is 800mg for edibles or 8g for concentrates. A medical patient with a 6-plant count can buy 56000mg of edibles or 56g of concentrate if they wanted to.
Medical vs. Recreational Pricing Information
Medical product is exempt from the excise tax that recreational product has (around 15% once product leaves a grow) and then again, it’s taxed at the point of sale with a 15% Colorado RMJ tax. MMJ is exempt from both tax points. So that extra 30% of taxes that medical product is exempt from is why medical product prices can be lower than their recreational product counterpart.
The Medical vs. Recreational Cannabis Shopping Experience
Whether you visit a medical or recreational marijuana dispensary, you must present a valid ID to determine you are above the legal age to purchase cannabis in the state. However, if you choose to go the medical route, the dispensary will also require a valid medical marijuana license. Some medical dispensaries also provide a more traditional waiting room experience with practices intended to protect the privacy of its guests.
What is Medical Marijuana and Why is it Different Than Recreational Cannabis Consumption?
For decades, scientists have declared that it is virtually impossible to overdose on cannabis. As legalization gains traction, more studies are being conducted to research the beneficial effects of cannabis on a variety of people. While we’ve all probably heard about the effects of recreational marijuana, the use of medical marijuana has been reported to greatly improve the lives of individuals experiencing chronic pain, mental health complications and more. Though you can find high-quality bud in both product types, the concentration of medical cannabis is often more optimized for individual patients and their needs.
The Best of Both Worlds is Here at Options Medical Center!
Explore a wide selection of medical and recreational cannabis products all under one roof at Options Medical Center. Contact us today to plan your visit and see our inventory of flower, edibles, concentrates and more. Speak with a member of our expert staff to learn more about our products including our own original in-house flower.
