The increased legalization of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use must be sweet music to weed enthusiasts across the world. There is no doubt that cannabis offers an array of benefits including relief to chronic pain, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep. It also enhances creativity and exercise for recreational users. But if you are a novice in the game, navigating cannabis smoking responsibly can get quite confusing. As much as you can’t wait to enjoy the benefits, you also want to avoid negative consequences and potential legal issues that irresponsible cannabis smoking can pose. Besides posing potential risks to your health, you can easily find yourself on the wrong side of the law. This article seeks to clarify any confusion you may have regarding various aspects of responsible cannabis smoking.
Responsible consumption practices
To smoke cannabis responsibly, strive to be guided by responsible consumption practices explored below:
Be of the right age
The initial step in responsibly using cannabis is ensuring you meet the legal age requirements for its consumption in your state. Many states have stringent rules for recreational use but are more lenient for medical purposes. For instance, in California, you must be 21 or older to use cannabis for non-medical reasons, and 18 or older for medical use with a doctor’s recommendation and a medical ID card.
Purchase legally
An important step in using cannabis responsibly is to transition from illegal markets to authorized shops. State cannabis regulatory agencies thoroughly check and license cannabis businesses. Opt for products from licensed vendors to enjoy various advantages. One benefit is that items from authorized shops are inspected by approved labs, ensuring they are safe for consumption. Also, licensed suppliers follow labeling and packaging guidelines, helping you determine the correct dosages and THC or CBD levels. In addition, authorized stores are required to provide extensive training for their employees in regards to different products and safe ways of handling them. Purchasing from licensed stores gives the opportunity to leverage this knowledge in responsible cannabis use. Furthermore, secure packaging helps prevent accidental ingestion by children in your household.
Understand the dosage
As said earlier, consuming cannabis can have different medical and non-medical benefits to you. However, you must know that you only get to reap the benefits with moderate use. Excessive use of cannabis can result in negative effects such as impaired memory and thinking. Moreover, using it for a prolonged time can lead to dependency on the product, impeding normal body functioning.
As a beginner, your best route is to start small and increase the dosage as you go. It would be great to not only use small amounts but also take several days breaks in between the uses. Also, make sure to leverage the knowledge of your budtender on the amount of cannabis to consume. If using it for medical use, understand and follow the recommended dosage from your doctor to the letter.
Use safer consumption methods
Smoking cannabis can pose health risks to your lungs. But you can use safer ways of consumption to reduce the effects of cannabis on your body. A good example is using a water bong to smoke cannabis. Their filtration process is especially effective in filtering out toxins and carcinogenic agents, among other pollutants. In addition, the water cools the smoke as it travels through. This results in a smoke that is not only cooler for your lips and lungs but also one that is safe for your body.
Bongs can also be fun and a great way to showcase your personality, especially when socially smoking with your friends. Make sure to pick the bong that represents who you are. Consider also checking the eco-friendly bong collection to get a piece that enhances your efforts of living sustainably.
In addition, keep in mind that responsible use of bong entails maintaining maximum cleanliness of your bong. Make sure to clean it regularly to get rid of resin buildup that can have a negative effect on the taste of your hits as well as your health.
Adhere to public consumption laws
Responsible cannabis smoking entails refraining from smoking marijuana in public places like parks, bus stops, restaurants, and public buildings.
In the majority of states, including Chicago, consumption of cannabis is only allowed on private property. Moreover, the owner must be aware and must have allowed the use of the products. Also, consumption is at the owner’s discretion. In addition, consumption can be done in establishments that have attained on-premises cannabis consumption licenses. These can be hospitals and community care facilities that have designated rooms for cannabis consumption.
You also need to follow regulations laid down regarding the responsible transportation of cannabis. For starters, you should never drive under the influence of weed. Cannabis consumption can impede your coordination, focus, and decision-making. If you must drive, wait a few hours after consumption. In addition, make sure that the cannabis products that you are transporting aren’t accessible by other occupants in the vehicle. You might also be required to use a child-resistant container while at it.
Responsible storage
Smoking responsibly extends to storing your cannabis products responsibly, too. You have a duty to protect children and pets from accidental ingestion that can potentially harm their health. Make sure that the products are stored out of their reach. You need to be very careful not to leave the products open and unattended when living with children and pets. Store them after use in locked child and pet-proof containers in a locked cabinet. You must also ensure that the containers are clearly and properly labeled to avoid confusion with other products.
Conclusion
Residing in a state where the consumption of cannabis is legalized can be exciting if you want to experience cannabis smoking for fun or as a prescription. But before you dive into the cannabis smoking arena, make sure to follow the above guide on age verification, purchasing legally and taking the right dosage. You also need to adhere to public consumption laws and responsible storage. In addition, use safer methods of consumption and make sure to get guidance from a responsible adult or licensed supplier.
