While most people view marijuana use in recovery as a relapse, this isn’t the case for everyone. There is a whole community of people who partake in marijuana use while abstaining from other forms of drugs and alcohol. This lifestyle choice is known as being “California Sober.”
At Patrick’s Purpose, we allow residents of our sober living program to use medical marijuana. Cannabis can treat a wide variety of conditions, including chronic pain and some mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That said, you must have a prescription for cannabis rather than using it recreationally.
The main difference between medical marijuana and recreational weed is the reason it is being used. Recreational marijuana use is described as simply using cannabis to experience a high. On the other hand, medical cannabis is prescribed by a doctor and may be used to treat a range of conditions.
It is completely valid to use medicinal marijuana while you are in recovery from addiction as long as you are using it to manage a physical or mental health condition. There are even support groups for individuals recovering from addiction who partake in medical cannabis use.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the difference between medical and recreational cannabis use?
- What medical conditions can marijuana treat?
- Why does Patrick’s Purpose allow medical marijuana use in sober living?
Understanding the Difference Between Medical and Recreational Marijuana
Marijuana is a natural plant that can be used to experience mind-altering effects. In some states, recreational marijuana use is allowed. While it can get you high, many states have permitted the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
There is a major difference between medical vs recreational marijuana use. When you are using cannabis recreationally, you are doing so to experience psychoactive effects. Medical marijuana use occurs when someone is using the substance to treat a condition like multiple sclerosis or chronic pain from cancer treatment.
The main differences between medical and recreational marijuana include:
Purpose
Medical marijuana is used to treat a variety of accepted medical conditions, including:[1]
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Severe chronic pain
- Severe nausea
- Extreme weight loss and weakness (wasting syndrome)
- Severe muscle spasms
- Multiple sclerosis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Recreational marijuana is used for personal enjoyment in the same manner that alcohol is used. Recreational users are simply smoking or consuming weed to experience a euphoric high.
Access
Medical marijuana requires a recommendation and prescription from a healthcare professional. It is only available in states that have legalized medical cannabis use, like Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, and others.
Recreational marijuana is available to adults who are 21 and older in certain states that have legalized weed for recreational use. Many states that allow recreational use also permit people to own a certain number of personal cannabis plants.
Cannabis is legal for medicinal use in 39 out of 50 states, while recreational marijuana is only permitted in 24 states.
THC/CBD Content
Cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is considered to be the psychoactive substance that gets you high, while CBD has therapeutic properties without causing intoxication.
Both medical and recreational cannabis contain varying THC and CBD levels. Medical weed tends to have a higher CBD content. Recreational weed has lower CBD and higher THC content, as it is intended to cause mind-altering effects.
Why Does Patrick’s Purpose Allow Medical Marijuana Use in Sober Living?
Medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are used for different reasons. Doctors prescribe medical cannabis to manage health conditions. On the other hand, recreational weed is intended to get you high.
At Patrick’s Purpose, we allow our sober living residents to use medical marijuana if they have a prescription from a doctor. To obtain the substance, they’ll have to go to a medical dispensary and provide proof of a qualifying condition and a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Because medical marijuana can provide legitimate health benefits, we believe it is important to allow individuals in recovery to receive addiction support regardless of whether they use medical cannabis or not.
If you use medical weed and attend our sober living program, we will help you balance your marijuana use with your addiction recovery. We also offer support groups for our Cali sober residents, like Go Green Meetings. Having peer support from others who use medical marijuana during addiction recovery can prevent you from misusing your cannabis and ensure you stay on the right path.
Get Connected to a Medical Cannabis-Friendly Sober Living Program
While many programs prohibit the use of cannabis in any manner, Patrick’s Purpose allows its residents to take advantage of medical marijuana. If you have a qualifying health condition that you manage with weed, our sober living program does not discriminate.
At Patrick’s Purpose, we believe in the power of community and connection, and we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment that honors the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our residents. We acknowledge that medicinal cannabis use may be a part of some individuals’ recovery journeys. We have created a program integrating harm reduction practices to support safe and responsible cannabis use.
Contact us today to learn more about our medical marijuana-friendly sober living program.
References:
- Medline Plus: Medical Marijuana
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): State Medical Cannabis Laws