A few years ago, when you thought of marijuana, it was easy to assume that there were inherent dangers lurking around every corner. In recent years, however, the negative stigma around cannabis usage has drastically diminished. More and more states in the U.S. are legalizing marijuana, or at least decriminalizing it. These changing legislatures are encouraging more people to dip their toe into marijuana consumption, now that it’s easier to obtain.
The truth is, using cannabis responsibly is perfectly safe and a lot of people do so on a regular basis nowadays. In fact, according to the latest Gallup poll, over 40% of Americans admit to having tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime. However, as with any drug or substance that has potential for abuse, there are some risks involved when using weed. Even if you aren’t an especially frequent user of cannabis, it’s important to be aware of the potential pitfalls before diving into its world headfirst. Here are 5 safety tips for staying safe when using marijuana.
1. Set and stick to your limits
One of the most important ways you can stay safe when using marijuana is by setting and sticking to your limits. If you have a medical condition that is treated with cannabis, or if you have a certain amount of marijuana that you’re “allowed” to consume in a given time frame, it’s important to stick to that plan. Even if you’re consuming marijuana recreationally with no medicinal purposes, you should still be mindful of the weed amounts you can consume and still have a safe, comfortable experience.
If you have any additional conditions that make you more prone to experiencing negative side effects, such as anxiety, depression, or paranoia, you’ll want to pay extra attention to your limits. It’s also important to keep in mind that even if you don’t have any health conditions that require cannabis use, you may still experience side effects from marijuana.
2. Stay in control
One of the biggest red flags to watch out for when using cannabis is if you start losing control over your usage. If you find yourself consuming more and more often, or in higher amounts, it’s a good idea to re-evaluate your cannabis use. If you feel yourself getting out of control, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Marijuana is not physically addictive, so there aren’t any withdrawal symptoms to be concerned about.
Nonetheless, as with any substance, if you find yourself needing more and more to be satisfied, it wouldn’t hurt to take a step back and take a break. If you have an issue with marijuana abuse, or any other type of substance abuse, there are many treatment options available to help you get back on track.
3. Don’t drive or operate machinery
It’s important to be aware of the fact that marijuana impairs your ability to drive or operate machinery. Depending on your level of use, you may be too impaired to safely operate a vehicle or heavy machinery. If you’re going to be consuming marijuana, avoid any situations where you will be responsible for driving or operating heavy machinery. If you’re going to a social function where you know you’ll be consuming cannabis, be sure to factor in ways to get home safely.
While marijuana normalization has many benefits among the population, there’s also the potential issue that many people don’t see it as “serious” as driving after drinking alcohol, because it may fall into more of a grey area. If you find yourself feeling unsure as to whether you should drive a car or not after smoking marijuana, it’s always your best bet to choose the safe route and wait until you feel you’re 100% good to drive.
4. Be prepared to call for help
If you are consuming an excessive amount of marijuana, or if you are using it in an unsafe way, it’s important to be prepared to call for help. If you’re consuming an unhealthy amount of marijuana (for your specific situation), you should attend to your needs as soon as possible. If it’s your first time consuming marijuana, you don’t know how much you can handle before it becomes too much.
While there has never been a case of someone lethally overdosing on marijuana, smoking too much can cause a variety of unpleasant side effects, including paranoia, anxiety, fear, etc. Try to have a trusted friend in the same vicinity as you experiment with cannabis. If you’re alone, have someone you trust on speed dial just in case.
There are many ways in which consuming too much cannabis can be dangerous. If you have a friend who you think may be consuming too much marijuana, it’s important to be aware of the ways you can help them. If the person is experiencing an adverse reaction, it’s important to be aware of the signs of distress and how to get the person help.
5. Know your source (s)
It’s important to know the source of your marijuana. If you’re buying it from an untrustworthy source, you could be putting yourself at risk of consuming other substances or contaminants. If you are smoking or vaping marijuana, it’s important to know that this method is less reliable in terms of purity. While there are tests you can perform to check the purity of edibles, there is no such testing method for cannabis smoke or vapour.
If you are consuming edibles, it’s important to know the source and the amount of time it takes for the effects to be felt. Always purchase your marijuana products from a trusted place, such as a legal dispensary. Our dispensary in Lemon Grove, The Boulevard, has a large variety of top-notch cannabis products. You can come in and comfortably browse our selection. Our experienced budtenders will be more than happy to assist you or answer any questions you have.
Using marijuana is a safe and enjoyable experience for many people. However, it’s important to take precautions to keep yourself safe and healthy when using. It’s best to avoid consuming large amounts of cannabis on a regular basis, especially if you are young and/or still growing. If you are using marijuana and want to remain safe, it’s important to set and stick to your limits, stay in control of your use, avoid driving and heavy machinery, be prepared to call for help if necessary, and know your source(s).
For a risk-free experience, buy your marijuana at a licensed dispensary. If you’re interested in trying weed products, stop by our San Diego dispensary (we’re open 7 days a week) or visit our website. With these tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy cannabis without any negative consequences.
