The Good Cannabis Life Blog – Things to know
When it comes to cannabis use, there are things everyone should be aware of to ensure the experience is all it can be for you. Take these below points into consideration before you begin.
Serving size
Double check the serving size, especially if your experience is going to be with edibles. For first time edible users, start with a smaller size, like 2.5-5 mg. Also, remember it may take up to 2 hours for edibles to take effect and up to 4 hours to feel the full effect the edible can provide, so plan accordingly.
Start small, go slow
Until you know how cannabis use will affect you, start with a small amount. This is especially important if you’re starting to experiment with edibles or concentrates. Look for products with lower THC levels and see how they affect you before indulging further. For reference:
- Flower-based (bud): 10%-30% THC
- Edible-based (eat/drink): 5 to 10 mg per serving
- Concentrate-based (oils, dabs, hash): 60%-90% THC
Use responsibly and safely
It’s recommended to wait 3-6 hours after smoking or 6-8 hours after consuming edibles or concentrates before engaging in higher-risk activities like driving, skiing or swimming. Wait times vary depending on personal tolerance and length of use. There are cases you should wait even longer than these times, so plan accordingly and be on the safe side. Also, use with people you trust and feel at-ease with. If you feel pressured to use more than you’re comfortable with or over a longer period of time, come up with ways to say ‘no’ and maintain control.
Monitor frequency of use
Frequent cannabis use can increase your tolerance level, which, over time, can lead to requiring a higher serving to achieve the same effect. A lower frequency of use can reduce the risk of dependency and other long-term negative symptoms.
Store cannabis products safely
Keep your cannabis products in their original packaging for easy identifiability and store them in a safe area that cannot be accessed by pets or children. If a child or pet consumes your cannabis product, seek medical attention for them ASAP.
Avoid sharing
Stay away from the ‘puff n’ pass’ and don’t share your cannabis products. This can put you at higher risk of exposure to infections and diseases that can be transferred through saliva. Sharing also reduces your ability to control your personal ‘serving size’ recommendations and can result in irresponsible behaviors.
Avoid mixing
Putting together two or more substances can make knowing how you’ll react or be affected quite unpredictable, and even cause adverse side effects that could be dangerous. This is also recommended if you are taking specific prescription medications. Cannabis use can alter the potency or interact with medications in unpredictable ways. Play it safe and only use one substance at a time.
Following these guidelines can help make sure your experience with cannabis is enjoyable, safe and all it can be.
