Before using medical marijuana to access and buy at a medical marijuana dispensary, what should you expect? For example, what’s the difference between recreational and medical weed? Does MMJ fit your condition? Let’s address these questions and more in the following sections.

What Is The Difference Between Medical And Recreational Marijuana?

There are many differences between medical marijuana to buy from pot dispensaries and recreational marijuana. For one, MMJ contains higher cannabidiol (CBD) content than its recreational counterpart has. It only means that MMJ won’t cause the stoner’s ‘high’ to get from using recreational weed.

On the other hand, recreational pot usually has higher Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), meaning more of the ‘high’ than its medical benefits.

More on their differences, you need to obtain an MMJ recommendation before you can buy medical marijuana. It also means that you have a qualifying medical condition to access it, but recreational pot can be bought by anyone of legal age in a state where it is legal, and you don’t need a recommendation for it.

The MMJ card, however, should be renewed annually.

Age restrictions – you need to be over 18 years old to buy MMJ.

If you’re under 18, you can also apply for a medical marijuana card under certain conditions. Research and check your state laws for specific details.

For recreational marijuana, you must be over 21 years old to buy marijuana. You just have to prove you are of legal age by showing your driver’s license at a dispensary where you’re buying it.

What Are The Specifics Of Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana refers to the chemicals contained within the unprocessed plant that are used to reduce the symptoms of certain diseases or conditions. There are two significant compounds in medical marijuana – the CBD and the THC, but there are more than 100 chemicals in the plant itself.

  • CBD is its component used in medical applications that do not produce psychoactive effects
  • THC is marijuana’s psychoactive compound that produces the ‘high.’

    • Does It Fit My Condition?

    Before considering a recommendation and buying MMJ from a medical marijuana dispensary, you should also determine if using marijuana fits your condition. You should be a legal resident of the state where you’re buying MMJ and you’re diagnosed with any of the following qualifying conditions,

  • HIV/AIDS
  • Persistent or severe muscle spasms – a symptom of multiple sclerosis
  • Glaucoma
  • Autism
  • Crohn’s disease or another inflammatory disease
  • Cancer*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Epilepsy with seizures
  • Terminal illness*
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    • *In order to qualify for a program, you must be a sufferer of a terminal illness that puts you with a probable life expectancy of less than a year, or a cancer patient. You should also be suffering from an illness that causes chronic pain, severe vomiting or nausea.

    Are There Any Negative Side Effects?

    The next question to address before using medical marijuana is its side effects. While the versatile plant offers plenty of health and medical benefits, it may also cause certain side effects, even if these are not as bad as those associated with mainstream medications are. When using medical marijuana, you can expect any or some of the following side effects,

  • Thirst or dry mouth
  • Drowsiness
  • Hunger
  • Giddiness
  • Respiratory issues
  • Red eyes
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Uneasiness
  • Short-term memory loss

    • But there are certain ways on how you can reduce the side effects associated with MMJ use. If you’re experiencing drowsiness, common among Indica strains, while taking MMJ, you should not operate machinery, drive or drink alcohol.

    You might also want to consume marijuana before bedtime to prevent this side effect. Alternatively, you might want to opt for a Sativa strain that causes alertness, not drowsiness.

    Why Does Marijuana Use Make The Eyes Red?

    Just as mentioned earlier, MMJ can make your eyes red, a classic sign that you’ve just smoked it.

    Red eyes are a common occurrence for many people, but it may disappear sooner for less sensitive individuals – depending on the quality and quantity of the MMJ consumed.

    There are certain factors why red eyes occur as well. For one, it’s because of cannabis’ unique healing properties on glaucoma. Its THC component lowers the blood pressure that causes the dilation of the capillaries and blood vessels.

    The dilation of the ocular capillaries causes blood flow to increase to the eyes, reducing intraocular pressure.

    This increased blood flow causes the redness. The same pressure drop is what helps treat glaucoma.

    Final Thoughts

    There you have the answers to the five questions to ask before using medical weed to buy at a medical marijuana dispensary. If you’re ready to buy and use MMJ, take note of these things so that you would know what to expect.

    Author's Bio: 

    Lilly Myers is a freelance content writer and marketer at Beverly Hills Speech Therapy. Although she shows professional interest towards content writing, she is also in love with medicine because of being raised in the family of doctors. Accordingly, Lilly gives preference to the writing of the medical articles.