When trying cannabis, especially if new or sensitive, begin with very low doses and gradually increase to find your optimal effect, as you can always take more but cannot easily reverse an excessive dose.
Use low doses of THC or CBD products to help with anxiety, as too much THC can cause panic attacks and make anxiety worse.
If you have a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia (family history), avoid cannabis products as THC can decrease the age of onset for the first schizophrenic episode, though it doesn’t cause the condition itself.
Young people should delay cannabis use as long as possible, as there is data suggesting it can alter brain development (gray to white matter ratio) in developing brains.
Educate young people about the increased risks of high-THC vape carts, which are discreet, easy to overuse, and deliver unbalanced, potent doses compared to traditional flower.
Never give THC products to pets, as it is unsafe and can cause distress, impaired movement, nausea, and loss of bowel control; CBD is generally safer for animals.
If you are new to cannabis or have a low tolerance, do not drive after consumption, as it significantly impairs hand-eye coordination and motor control.
To experience the medicinal benefits of CBD for conditions like anxiety or seizures, aim for doses of 200 milligrams or more, as lower doses are not typically supported by research.
CBD is generally safe and does not cause a high, so you can safely experiment with higher doses (200mg+) without fear of overwhelming your brain.
To minimize detriments and maximize benefits, use CBD products alone or mix them with THC products to reduce the overall THC intake and help protect the brain from overstimulation.
If you are very sensitive to THC, opt for CBD-dominant hemp flower or CBD products, as CBD can protect your brain from overstimulation and balance out THC’s effects.
Do not use synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., HHC, THCP) found in some hemp products, especially if new to cannabis, as they are not under the same testing regulations as legal cannabis.
Recognize that cannabis is a highly individualized medicine; experiment carefully with different strains and doses to understand how it uniquely affects your body.
Take control of your cannabis use by selecting different products for different times of day or specific desired effects (e.g., social situations, relaxation, mood enhancement).
Be aware that different cannabis strains can have different effects; some may cause anxiety while others do not, so choose based on desired outcomes.
If you experience anxiety from sativa-type cannabis, avoid them as their uplifting profile can increase heart rate, and instead seek out more calming varieties.
Use ‘sativa’ to seek uplifting, energetic effects and ‘indica’ for mellow, relaxing effects, understanding that most modern products are hybrids.
For activities like exercise or creative work, choose uplifting sativa-type varieties, but be mindful of dosing to avoid counterproductive effects.
High doses of cannabis can lead to lightheadedness or reduced motivation, making you want to relax rather than engage in active pursuits.
For the healthiest inhalation method, use a dry herb vaporizer, which heats cannabis flower to vaporize compounds without combustion byproducts.
When vaping, prioritize cannabis flower over distillate vape oils, as distillate often lacks the full spectrum of beneficial plant compounds and may contain heavy metals from the cart.
Select your cannabis consumption method (edibles vs. smoking/vaping) based on whether you prefer a body high (edibles) or a more cerebral head high (smoking/vaping).
Edibles and tinctures are good alternatives to smoking, but be aware that up to 20% of people may not feel the effects of edibles due to genetic differences in liver enzymes.
Obtain cannabis products from legal dispensaries that provide tested products with clear cannabinoid profiles, or consider growing your own for a balanced, known-origin product.
Utilize the expertise of staff at legal dispensaries to help you navigate product choices, dosing, and find cannabis options tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
Cultivating your own cannabis can lead to a deeper appreciation for the plant, offering a more balanced product and a personal connection to its production.
Cannabis, particularly THC, can activate the endocannabinoid system to help reduce chronic pain by interrupting excessive pain signals sent to the brain.
CBD has been extensively studied and is a highly effective medicine for rare and severe forms of seizures.
Cannabis products containing THC or CBN can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, though it may affect sleep quality initially.
If you struggle with insomnia, using cannabis to achieve sleep, even if it reduces REM sleep, is generally more beneficial than getting no sleep at all.
Cannabis can help women experiencing menopause by bringing regulation to dysregulated systems, balancing hormones, mood, and sleep.
Cannabis can help achieve a ‘flow state’ by reducing distracting thoughts, potentially enhancing creativity and focus for tasks like art or exercise, especially at low doses.
Consider using low-dose cannabis as a pre-workout to help get into a ‘flow state’ and increase blood flow during exercise.
For conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS where appetite stimulation is needed, cannabis (specifically THC) is a science-backed medicinal benefit.
If cannabis use prevents you from socializing, leaving home, eating, or functioning, it may indicate unhealthy reliance; consider lowering your dose, seeking therapy, or examining if it’s escapism.
Differentiate between dependency and addiction by evaluating if cannabis use is causing harm to your life, relationships, or finances; if it’s beneficial, dependency is acceptable.
If you have a history of anxiety, be especially cautious with cannabis use, as you are more susceptible to experiencing anxiety or panic attacks from it.
Regular cannabis users (those with tolerance) are less likely to experience anxiety from cannabis compared to sporadic or new users.
Understand that smoking cannabis, like any inhaled substance, can produce tar and potentially impact lung health over time, leading to phlegm or breathing difficulties.
When discussing cannabis with children, encourage them to wait as long as possible, suggest cannabis as a safer alternative if they feel compelled to use substances, and foster open communication.
Be mindful of the term ‘marijuana’ due to its historical roots in racism and its use to target Mexican-Americans; prefer the term ‘cannabis’ instead.
Advocate for and support organizations like the Last Prisoner Project that work to free individuals incarcerated for cannabis-related charges, acknowledging the ongoing racial disparities in arrests.
If you consistently have negative experiences with cannabis, it’s perfectly acceptable to avoid it, as not everyone reacts well to the plant.