Cannabis and its active constituents, such as THC and CBD, among other cannabinoids, are available in a range of forms and potencies, and their effects on individuals differ.
Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about using cannabis, have used it before, or have acquaintances who do.
- Intention is key
Marijuana, like any other drug, produces both good and unpleasant effects. It’s important to understand that it can affect people in various ways, and those effects may change over time.
Consider both the sensations you want to have and the ones you want to avoid if you decide to use marijuana. If you know what you want out of marijuana, you may be able to prevent unpleasant experiences and boost your chances of getting the desired effect. It’s also important to realize that marijuana, like any other narcotic, can have unexpected or unforeseen side effects on users.
These are some examples of desired or unpleasant marijuana-related experiences, which people may or may not want.
It is critical to note that the effects of marijuana differ from person to person and might change over time. Cannabis use may also have an impact on the brain development of those under the age of 25.
Possible desired effects:
- Feel at ease and contented.
- Reduce depressive, nervous, or worried feelings.
- Make friends more easily.
- Reduce the physical indications of other conditions, such as pain.
- Changes in the senses (music, food, movies, art, etc.)
- Have fun and laugh.
Possible unintended outcomes
- Have problems with your memory.
- Increase mental health difficulties (such as psychosis, depression, anxiety, etc.).
- Negatively impact my relationships, employment, or education.
- Experiencing daytime fatigue due to lower sleep quality.
- Legal ramifications
- Losing self-control and acting in ways I wouldn’t normally do
- Dependence, addiction, or chronic health repercussions (such as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome).
- “Greening out” (i.e., feeling ill, throwing up, falling asleep, having difficulty communicating with others, etc.)
- The potency of goods varies
The serving sizes for various marijuana products can vary.
It’s more important than ever to understand how different products may affect you, especially because marijuana strength has surged four or five fold in recent decades.
Different marijuana strains can have variable strength. If you decide to use them, make sure the products are within your budget. If you are unsure about a product’s potency, start with less of it until you have a better idea of how it affects you. Depending on the outcomes, you might gradually raise your dosage.
Concentrates and Flowers
Flowers (marijuana in plant form) are less potent than concentrates (hash oil, wax, shatter, dabs, resins, etc.). The potency ranges listed below are based on the proportion of THC in these products.
- Flower (bud): 10-30%.
- Concentrates (oils, hash, dabs, wax): 40–90%.
Foods
There is no standard potency for edibles, thus each will have a variable amount of THC. Remember that the effects of serving sizes may differ depending on your individual tolerance. If you’re new to edibles, start with fewer of them. According to Colorado labels, each serving size contains 10 mg of THC; nevertheless, if you have a lower tolerance, this amount may cause unpleasant symptoms.
Always check the serving size on the product packaging before using it. It’s also important to remember that edibles may take two hours to begin acting and up to four hours to fully take effect.
Advice for understanding the packaging of marijuana:
Cannabis product labels specify the type of marijuana (indica, sativa, etc.) as well as the percentage of THC potency in the flower and concentrates. The percentage increases with the potency of the product and the strength of the effect. Because potency might vary by around 15% in either direction, it’s important to remember that most products include a disclaimer. Consider this information while selecting products and determining dosages.
The amount of THC (milligrams, or mg) in edibles is usually specified on the label. Take note that you may need to divide the dosages yourself for some goods. For example, before eating, you may need to chop the food into halves or quarters.
- Move slowly and start low
Start with a modest dose and work your way up until you understand how marijuana will affect you, especially if you have never used it before, are trying a new product, or are unsure of your tolerance. This is especially important when experimenting with concentrates and edibles. Seek out things with lower THC content and avoid taking more until you’ve felt the benefits.
- Avoid engaging in activities that may be more risky
It is recommended to avoid higher-risk activities such as driving, skiing, or swimming for at least three to six hours after vaping or smoking, and six to eight hours after using edibles. Remember that these times can vary depending on your usage and tolerance. In some cases, you may be required to wait longer than recommended.
- Reduce the frequency
Regular marijuana usage may increase your tolerance, requiring you to take more to achieve the same effect as with other drugs. Dependency, which occurs when your body responds to a specific medication or chemical and craves higher or more frequent doses, is a common effect of this.
Reducing the frequency of marijuana usage has also been shown to reduce the risk of long-term health consequences, poor mental health symptoms, and dependence. Uncertain whether you should reduce your frequency?
To help you think about your current usage, examine the following questions:
Does my consumption have a detrimental impact on my performance at work, school, or on the job?
- Do my relationships suffer as a result of my consuming habits?
- Is my consumption affecting my memory?
- Do I feel more exhausted than I’d like to?
- Am I breaching my own marijuana-use rules or restrictions?
- What financial impact does my use have on me?
- Safely store cannabis goods
Keep marijuana products in their original packaging to ensure that they are easily identified. Make sure they are kept in a safe place out of reach of small children or pets. If a child or pet consumes marijuana products, get medical attention right away.
- Use with people you trust
You’re more likely to have a positive experience when you use marijuana among people you know, trust, and feel comfortable with. Consider how to say “no” if you feel pressured to use more than you are comfortable with. “No thanks, I have to drive home later” or “I’m going to start with this and see how it goes” are two instances.
- Avoid sharing
Avoid “puff and pass” rotations, and don’t share pipes, vaporizers, joints, bongs, or other personal items. Sharing increases your chances of catching a variety of illnesses and infections, including the flu, meningitis, the common cold, and mono, all of which are transmitted by saliva. Additionally, sharing with pals may result in higher THC concentrations than you are used to.
- Do not combine
It might be impossible to predict what will happen or how you will be affected when two or more substances are combined. Furthermore, harmful side effects may result from combining two or more substances. To ensure safety, always use one chemical at a time.
The policy for marijuana
- Colorado only allows people 21 and up to possess and consume marijuana (18+ for medical marijuana). Underage use may result in CU penalties, fines, and a MIP ticket.
- Even with a prescription, it is illegal for anyone, regardless of age, to possess or consume marijuana on campus in any capacity.
- Under the influence of marijuana is against CU’s drug policy and can result in processes and repercussions for student behavior.
- Driving under the influence may result in a DUI. Wait before you start driving.
- Taking marijuana products out of state is forbidden. Possession of marijuana products on airport grounds is likewise forbidden at Denver International Airport.
- Marijuana usage in public places is strictly illegal, including smoking, eating, and vaping. The university’s smoke-free campus policy prohibits both smoking and vaping.
