Skip to main content

In a legal state, the term “marijuana” refers to cannabis that may be cultivated, purchased, and consumed by individuals 21 years old and up. “Adult-use” usually implies that the product is acquired for recreational rather than medical purposes.

‘Adult-use’ vs. ‘recreational’

The words “recreational” and “adult-use” are used interchangeably in this context: Cannabis that is legal for adults aged 21 or older to purchase. The only distinction is that some state legislatures prefer one term over another in their legislation.

There is no distinction between cannabis goods labeled with either of these phrases.

The difference between adult-use and medical marijuana

Different rules apply to adult-use and medical cannabis, depending on your location. Medical marijuana requires a prescription, whereas adult-use cannabis can be purchased by anyone over the age of 21 in a legal state with a valid ID. Many states that have legalized recreational marijuana have imposed quantity limits on how much cannabis you can buy at once.

Depending on where you reside, some medical marijuana legislation allows for a person under the age of 21 to be given cannabis if they have a qualifying medical illness. Patients who are authorized by their doctors to use marijuana may be permitted to have more of it, obtain higher potency goods that aren’t available to recreational consumers, and grow cannabis at home. They also have the option of naming a caregiver as their agent.

It’s critical to familiarize yourself with your local legislation to learn how adult-use and medical cannabis are handled differently since this varies from location to place.