By Max Sargent


There’s much talk of “medical marijuana” and “recreational cannabis” in the cannabis space. In the US and Canada, different dispensaries exist to service these different needs, and sometimes even offer different types of cannabis, at different prices.

But, really, what are the differences? Is medical cannabis distinct from recreational marijuana or not? Do some types of weed bear medical significance while others only get you high? Given how little we know about the nuances between strains, and the ways in which cannabis may or may not treat certain illnesses, it seems unlikely that we can clearly define which strains should be classed as “medical” versus “recreational”.

Currently, the distinction between these types of cannabis boils mainly down to two things.

First, legality. In many places around the world, medical cannabis is legal, while recreational is not. So there is an obvious distinction in accessibility. Second, it refers to market distinctions, which are largely based on the US market, and to a lesser extent, Canada’s.

What Does Medical Marijuana Mean?

While people readily use the term “medical marijuana”, there is no true consensus on what makes a certain type of cannabis medically effective. In other words, medical marijuana is ultimately that which is used to relieve symptoms associated with a medical condition. The type of product is secondary to the purpose.

Furthermore, general understandings of cannabis’ medical potential have shifted. In the recent past, cannabis was considered to have greater medical efficacy if it had a higher THC content. Essentially, the thinking was, “the stronger, the better”. However, as more research is conducted into cannabis and its potential medical uses, it is becoming clearer that a healthy balance of cannabinoids seems to offer the most benefits to those who consider themselves medical users.

So, in general terms, medical marijuana is likely to refer to cannabis strains that have a close THC to CBD ratio. More and more, other cannabinoids, such as CBG and CBN, are also being actively considered when growing and breeding strains.

The “entourage effect” is the name given to the beneficial interaction between different cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids when consumed together. You often hear about high-THC weed or high-CBD cannabis, but they alone are only a small part of the story. There is mounting evidence that strains harnessing the entourage effect offer the most holistic effects, though we still are a ways off from fully understanding the intricacies of this phenomenon.

What Does Medical Marijuana Mean?

What Does Recreational Cannabis Mean?

Recreational cannabis is that which is used to get high, rather than to try and influence an ailment.

On a superficial level, recreational cannabis tends to have high levels of THC and significantly lower levels of CBD. That being said, this is an incredibly generalised take on the distinction between the two types.

Recreational cannabis is more likely to produce powerful effects, and effects that can more easily tip into unpleasant if too much is consumed.

  • But Is There Really a Difference?

We are in the early days of understanding how cannabis might affect various illnesses. While there are some distinctions around medical cannabis and recreational weed in places where both are legal, these are tenuous and ever-changing.

If somebody finds that THC-rich cannabis helps them, it seems odd to define them as a recreational user if they explicitly use it for medical purposes. What’s more, while users in certain countries or states may have access to sanctioned and prescribed medical marijuana, in many nations, patients still have to get their cannabis illegally, as it continues to be prohibited. So intermittently defining them as “medical” or “recreational” users depending on the concentration of cannabinoids in their weed is probably not the right way to go about things.

Likewise, many recreational smokers are now moving toward more balanced strains that offer softer effects. Just because they don’t want to get as high as possible doesn’t mean they are “medical users”.

Finally, many users autumn into both categories, making identifying a concrete distinction between the two even more difficult.

Medical Marijuana vs Recreational Cannabis

All that being said, below we will outline the general differences between medical and recreational cannabis based on how they’re sold in the US. Where there is a market for both, there are practical distinctions.

  • Potency

These days, medical cannabis tends to be less potent than recreational cannabis. Potency here refers to THC content specifically, rather than overall cannabinoid content. In fact, recreational cannabis is likely to have lower concentrations of other cannabinoids than medical cannabis.

Medical cannabis, on the other hand, often has higher levels of CBD compared to THC. There is much research looking into the potential medical effects of CBD and other cannabinoids. While exact answers may still be just out of reach, the findings so far look very promising.

  • Effects

High-THC strains of cannabis have much stronger effects compared to balanced ones, and this can make them less appropriate for those who need or desire regular treatment. If somebody uses cannabis all day, every day to treat a condition, consuming incredibly powerful weed may inhibit their ability to live a normal life. Subtler, more balanced cannabis, on the other hand, can fit into everyday functioning.

It must be noted here that this is where user preference can conflict with generally understood distinctions.

While, in general, it seems that balanced, moderate effects are most likely to be medically effective, this is not set in stone. While one user may find that a slight high and relaxation helps alleviate their problems, another may find the potent effects of a THC-rich sativa, for example, to offer the best treatment.

Effects
  • Quality

There are some instances in which cannabis cultivated for medical purposes is found to be of better quality. Whether this means it is subject to less pesticide use, grown under more stringent conditions, subject to more quality control, or just more carefully grown, cannabis grown for medical purposes is likely to be of high quality as it's highly regulated.

But so is good recreational cannabis. Of course, there are breeders and dispensaries who profit off poor-quality weed, as they are able to get away with it due to laxer regulations—though not that lax. Yet you find poor-quality alcohol and good-quality alcohol, and buying it is not a guessing game. So if you’re after high-quality recreational cannabis, it’s perfectly accessible, just perhaps a little more expensive.

In fact, the profitability of quality cannabis means that the good stuff is often of exceptionally fine quality. A medical user who knows what they want will not find themselves disappointed when purchasing cannabis from a good recreational dispensary—and they will likely have more choice.

  • Variety

Due to the limited market definitions of what constitutes medical marijuana, users are likely to find less variety in medical dispensaries compared to recreational ones. For example, you’re far less likely to come across “33% THC powerhouse with elevating effects that will take you to space!” in a medical environment compared to a recreational one.

However, in recreational dispensaries, you are likely to come across more chill strains with balanced ratios and holistic effects. With the rise of CBD supplements, these types of cannabis strains are becoming more sought-after outside of exclusively medical environments, and it’s likely their accessibility will continue to increase.

  • Consumption

Method of consumption is one area where there tends to be a clear distinction between medical and recreational cannabis use. Even though any user may consume cannabis in whichever way they feel is most suitable, those who consider themselves medical users are more likely to harness less traditional methods. Whereas smoking flower and hashish in joints, spliffs, and bowls is still the most popular method for recreational users, medical users err more toward concentrates, tinctures, and edibles.

A reason for this is that many medical users may not have a history of smoking, and therefore feel no attachment to the ceremony of these more traditional methods. Likewise, we all know that smoking is bad for our bodies, so depending on what your medical ailment is, inhaling combusted materials might be counterproductive!

Consumption
  • Cultivation

There aren’t really any concrete differences between growing medical marijuana and recreational cannabis. Or rather, there aren’t any differences between growing medical marijuana and good-quality recreational cannabis.

In either situation you’re going to want:

One major difference is that medical marijuana is almost always going to be grown indoors, as this offers far greater control over the final product. With careful control over light and temperature, different expressions of cannabinoids and terpenes can be achieved. If you know what you’re after, this can be very helpful.

But really, if you’re a recreational user, the same can be said. However, if you’re in a suitable environment, planting seeds outside during summer and getting a huge harvest of potent (but less predictable) bud is more likely to appeal to the recreational user over the medical one.

Ultimately, the main distinction to consider in terms of cultivation is a legal one. In some places, those who are officially classed as medical cannabis users may legally cultivate their own cannabis, while for others it is still prohibited. In this case, though cultivation methods may not differ, the differing realities of medical versus recreational cultivators may be stark.

  • Accessibility

Generally, medical marijuana is more accessible than recreational marijuana. For instance, in the US, more states have legalized medical marijuana than recreational, and you only need to be 18, rather than 21, to qualify. That being said, access to medical marijuana involves being signed off by a doctor, whereas anyone of age can buy recreational cannabis (where it is legal).

By and large, medical marijuana tends to be less expensive as it is tax exempt. So for those on lower incomes, this can make access to cannabis a much more affordable option. For those who find medical weed to really help, this legal distinction should not be overlooked.

In some countries, medical marijuana is legal, whereas recreational cannabis is not. In this instance, medical cannabis is obviously going to be more (legally) accessible. However, the reality might be slightly different. If it is highly regulated, the truth is that illegally buying cannabis might be easier than getting it prescribed by a doctor.

Accessibility

Does Your Body Know the Difference Between Medical and Recreational Marijuana?

As there is no concrete difference between medical and recreational cannabis, your body does not know the difference. However, your body does feel the different effects of different types of cannabis and consumption methods, and individual users may find some of these to be medically viable, and others not.

Which Is Better: Recreational or Medical Cannabis?

This depends on the user. If your goal is to get really high, then high-THC “recreational” cannabis is likely to suit your needs. If, however, you want to attempt to quell some ailment while retaining cognisance, then a low-THC, high-CBD “medical” strain may suit your needs more.

When assessing whether cannabis use is medical or recreational, it’s more important to look at the user’s intention than the strain or product itself. Don’t get too hung up on preconceived ideas and distinctions. They are, on the whole, poorly understood market terms.

External Resources:
  1. The "Entourage Effect": Terpenes Coupled with Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128007563001150
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: