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Thankfully, both medical and recreational cannabis are now fully legal in the state of New York. Therefore, if you are looking to buy cannabis for therapeutic support or recreational purposes, you have that option. However, while obtaining a NY medical card has a few advantages, for most individuals, simply shopping for recreational cannabis makes more sense. Take a look at the differences between medical and recreational in NY.
Medical vs Recreational Cannabis in NY – The Key Differences
1. Costs of Obtaining a Medical Card
Getting a medical cannabis card in New York comes with expenses. While there is no fee involved with applying for the program, you’ll need to pay a doctor’s consultation fee, typically $100 to $200, to get a certification. This certification has to be redone annually by your chosen doctor. The medical cannabis card process can take time and effort, requiring a qualifying condition like chronic pain or anxiety. Recreational cannabis, by contrast, does not involve these expenses—no card, no fees, just walk in and shop for cannabis.
2. Dispensary Access
Medical patients can access any licensed medical dispensary, and they do have the option to shop at a recreational dispensary as long as they are 21 years old or older. Recreational customers are limited to adult-use retailers, but there are more recreational shops. Unfortunately, there are not as many medical cannabis dispensaries available in NY in comparison to recreational establishments. Therefore, as a medical cannabis patient, you may have to travel several miles to find a dispensary licensed for medical sales.
3. Age Regulations
Medical cannabis is available to patients under 21 with a qualifying condition, while recreational use is strictly 21 and over. Therefore, an individual who is 18 with a qualifying condition is best served with a medical card, and any minor under 18 with an assigned guardian is the same. For adults 21 and up, however, recreational shopping avoids the hassle of medical certification.
4. Product Accessibility
For the most part, you will find many of the same products on medical menus as you will on recreational menus. However, some medical dispensaries reserve certain quantities of products only for the medical menu, so patients have access to what they need. Nevertheless, the best recreational dispensaries offer a diverse collection of flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, vapes, CBD products, topicals, tinctures, and more.
Shop Recreational Cannabis at Silver Therapeutics in Saratoga Springs
At Silver Therapeutics, a licensed recreational dispensary, we provide a wide range of high-quality cannabis products without the need for a medical card. We’re proud to serve Saratoga Springs with flower, edibles, and other cannabis products—many of which are formulated for wellness support. If you’re looking for a dispensary where you can shop recreational, access an exceptional collection, and even get recommendations for certain therapeutic products, stop in for a visit or browse our menu.
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