Well, we’re glad you asked. There are a few different answers to this question.

One difference between rec and med is the shopping experience as a whole. Generally speaking, most dispensaries have a “medical side” and a “recreational side,” meaning med patients have a designated area where only they can shop, and recreational shoppers must remain on the rec side. Medical patients, however, have the ability to shop on both sides in the event the med side is unavailable, does not have what they need, or, hey, maybe the rec side just looks better than the med side.

Another difference is the way that recreational cannabis is taxed compared to medical cannabis. In Michigan, recreational cannabis is subject to a 10% marijuana excise tax, and the statewide 6% sales tax. Medical marijuana however, is only subject to the statewide 6% sales tax. 10% excise tax does seem like a lot, but when you compare MI to other states with recreational marijuana, Michigan really isn’t that bad. Washington has a 37 percent tax, Colorado charges a 15 percent sales tax and 15 percent excise tax and California charges a 15 percent sales tax, but has recently debated raising it.

Despite the popular belief that medical patients have access to higher doses of THC in any given cannabis product, there is NOT an actual difference between medical and recreational marijuana. It can be as simple as two different plants of the same strain being grown on different sides of the grow house: one for recreational sale and one for medical use. It’s probably easier to find higher THC percentages (please keep in mind THC percentage is NOT the only thing that matters) in recreational flower for the simple fact that there are more recreational grows than medicinal grows in the Cannabis Industry.

In Michigan, the limit on what recreational customers can purchase is 2.5 ounces; the same goes for medical patients. The same holds true when it comes to a recreational user growing plants vs a medical patient growing their medicine. Caregiver laws, however, are a bit of a different story. For more information on the laws surrounding this topic, click here → http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(t2u1vtbg4dcx0okb3ooubsbi))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Initiated-Law-1-of-2008

MICHIGAN RECREATIONAL CANNABIS LIMITS

Adults who are 21 years of age or older are legally permitted to have cannabis in their possession in Michigan within the following guidelines and limits:

Up to 2.5 ounces outside of their home.

Up to 10 ounces at home (this limit also applies to any cannabis cultivated and produced at home).

Up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrate.

Up to 12 cannabis plants at home.

MICHIGAN MEDICAL CANNABIS LIMITS

Under the Michigan Marijuana Act, patients who suffer from state-approved medical conditions are also permitted to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and cannabis equivalents. The following are guidelines and limits for medical cannabis under Michigan laws:

Up to 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products in solid form.

Up to 7 grams of cannabis-infused products in gaseous form.

Up to 36 fluid ounces of cannabis-infused product.

Up to 10 ounce purchase limit per month from licensed dispensaries

Patients who qualify for medical cannabis may possess up to 12 cannabis plants (and any cannabis cultivated and produced from those plants) as long as they are kept in an enclosed and locked facility.

Furthermore, there are some states that allow minors access to marijuana products if they suffer from specific conditions or ailments that require marijuana to fill in the gaps where traditional medications may not do the trick. A “minor applicant” is defined as a patient less than 18 years of age. In the event a minor requires medical marijuana in the state of Michigan,the parent or legal guardian of a minor patient (under 18 years old) must submit, in one envelope, a complete MMMP Minor Application Packet, which can be found at www.michigan.gov/mmp. They must have two doctors sign off, pay the $40 fee, and wait for approval. For further details on medical access for minors in Michigan, click here → https://www.michigan.gov/…/0,9306,7-386-83746-449191…

To continue, there is still a divide when it comes to the acceptance of recreational marijuana vs. medical marijuana use. A greater percentage of Americans support medical cannabis than recreational adult use, although it is more commonly accepted now that one does not need to be suffering from a condition in order to consume. Some recreational users (or medical users) have found a product that helps them with other ailments while shopping for a primary remedy, which furthers the acceptance of cannabis culture.

Cannabis is still a relatively new legal product, however, the lines between medical and recreational use have been clearly drawn. In Michigan, the rules are set so there is as little confusion as possible when one enters a dispensary. Even though it may seem complicated at first, with a closer look and a quick study, one can easily decipher the dos and don’ts of the recreational and medical marijuana industry.

Next time you come into #lightnup , we’ll be waiting to answer all of your questions regarding medical vs recreational cannabis!