Responsible Cannabis Use: What You Need to Know

While states across the country are legalizing marijuana, it’s becoming easier to come by every day. But before you run down to your local San Diego dispensary and grab an ounce or two, you may want to understand the substance a little more. Just as with other perfectly legal compounds such as alcohol and nicotine, there are certain dangers that go along with cannabis use. Here are a few tips on how to handle your new hobby responsibly.

Tackling THC

The human brain uses cannabinoid receptors to control and influence many aspects of its function, including thinking, memory, pleasure, and coordination. When taken, cannabis releases its own similar compounds into the brain’s physiology, altering how those functions work in interesting ways. Two of the most potent cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant are THC and CBD.

It’s the differences between CBD and THC that make one compound regulated while the other remains tightly controlled. While both have proven medical benefits, the former is not an intoxicant. THC, on the other hand, can have an inebriating effect as it interacts with the brain’s ability to perceive its surroundings. Consult with a representative at a San Diego dispensary for more information about strains and how different levels of THC and CBD can affect your body.

Don’t Push It With Kush

The legal purchasing age in California is 21, or 18 if a patient has the required medical approval. That’s a good place to start age-wise since cannabis is an intoxicant and a certain amount of social responsibility can come with age. The later in life you start imbibing, the less of an effect it will have on your overall health.

When you start, try microdosing and use a lower dose and slowly increase. While smoking or vaping, begin with slow, short inhales. Smoking cannabis can cause long-term problems with your lungs just like with cigarettes, so consider alternate ways to imbibe. Edibles are a good option because they can be discreet, but it takes longer to feel their effects and lasts a great deal longer than inhalation methods.

For a Good Time, Don’t…

Sometimes choosing to light up just isn’t a good idea. Because THC can affect your perception of events, cannabis use can affect your reaction time and coordination. It can also cause you to shift your attention or lose focus during critical situations. It’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel when using cannabis products, even if you feel better than you ever have before. It’s always a good idea to keep your cannabis sealed until you get home from the San Diego dispensary.

For those considering having a baby, cannabis use is also not a good idea. While current studies do not indicate there are any cognitive repercussions from cannabis use during pregnancy, there are still other issues to consider. Smoking, in general, has been linked to lower birth weights, and more data needs to be collected on THC’s interaction with babies in-utero. THC is stored in fat cells in the body, meaning it hangs around a while and can even be consumed by your infant through breast milk!

Safety First

Being responsible about cannabis use doesn’t end when you put the pot down. How you store your stash is just as important as how you smoke it. Some cannabis products can be mistaken for traditional kitchen ingredients, and keeping your marijuana gummies in the pantry may end up in someone having a good time at your expense! If products don’t come from the San Diego dispensary with any labels, make sure you add some indication they are cannabis yourself.

Keep products including THC safely locked away where children, pets, and nosey in-laws won’t find them. Avoid using them around kids, too, as the products will have a much greater effect on younger bodies. You might think that a THC cookie would be great to help calm down your hyper chihuahua, too, but cannabinoids should never be given to pets (or young people) without first consulting with a doctor.

Responsible Retail

The days of calling up your older brother’s weed contact are gone. While that may mean losing touch with your favorite wheelers and dealers, it does mean you know where your cannabis is coming from. Choosing a San Diego dispensary offers you protection from shortages, seeds, and sub-par weed. You also know exactly what you’re buying since product labels are required by law.

The same goes for growing your own. Follow responsible cultivation procedures with approved fertilizers to ensure you aren’t adding anything you don’t want to smoke. Cannabis is a great way to kick back and relax. Even so, just as with any controlled substance, you need to be mindful of how you use it to keep cannabis use a safe experience for you and everyone else around!