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(866) 948-6145
Is marijuana safe to use? Discover the ways THC and CBD interact with the human body, learn about the differences in smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, and topicals, and find out what helps reduce risks associated with cannabis usage.
The perception of cannabis is usually quite black-and-white: either the drug is safe since it is derived from a natural source or it is dangerous by definition. However, the truth is much more complex.
Depending on the content of THC, other types of cannabinoids present, the way of cannabis intake, the frequency of cannabis use, and many other individual factors, cannabis products can have a different effect on users.
For those who take cannabis for adult or medical uses, the more relevant question might not be whether cannabis is entirely safe but rather: What risks are associated with cannabis use, and what steps help to mitigate them?
This guide will cover the differences between THC and CBD, various ways of cannabis consumption, and explain why there is no one-size-fits-all option.
Cannabis is an umbrella term encompassing various products that may have varying levels of cannabinoids, which are active substances in cannabis. THC and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two most famous types of cannabinoids.
THC is the main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, which can lead to perception changes, impaired coordination, impact short-term memory, and reduce reaction time. CBD, on the other hand, does not cause the same effects, but that does not mean that every CBD product is safe.
The effects of cannabis may vary greatly depending on the following factors:
Thus, a low-dosage oral cannabis product and high-concentration THC cannot be considered the same due to cannabis origin only.
THC is the cannabinoid that makes someone feel high when using cannabis. Depending on how much is used, a person can experience a number of reactions, including relaxation, happiness, changes in perception, and drowsiness.
There are other reactions that can result from the use of THC:
The more THC a person uses, the more likely they are to get high from the substance. Concentrated cannabis used for vaping or dabbing usually contains a high amount of THC.
Using cannabis frequently or heavily can result in cannabis use disorder in some people.
CBD does not produce the intoxicating effects that are caused by THC. Nonetheless, consumer CBD products cannot be considered entirely harmless and scientifically validated by default.
There are risks related to CBD usage that have been highlighted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as liver damage, interaction with other drugs, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal problems. Additionally, there were claims about the inefficacy, inappropriate dosages, and lack of long-term safety assessment of many nonprescription CBD products.
The quality of the product is another key factor to consider when using it. Some CBD and hemp-based products may actually contain a varying amount of cannabinoids or even THC.
CBD consumption by those who use prescriptions should be discussed with healthcare providers.
There is no general answer to this question.
All methods of using cannabis have both advantages and disadvantages. If you avoid smoking to protect yourself from inhaling the chemicals produced by burning cannabis, other methods of use can create problems such as the delayed onset of effects, overconsumption, or exposure to THC concentrate.
Instead of assuming that any method of use is totally safe, cannabis consumers need to learn the dangers of each particular method of intake.
One of the quickest ways to get the effects of THC is by smoking. The reason behind this is that cannabinoids enter the bloodstream via the lungs and thus can start working as quickly as in just a few minutes.
The fast onset of action could help some people know when to stop since they can feel that they have had enough. But smoking involves burning the plant material.
This means that smoke is created. And it has been said that smoke can be detrimental to the respiratory system and may cause respiratory problems because of the toxins present in it.
Therefore, smoking cannot be said to be a safe way to take cannabis, even though it is bought legally.
The method of vaping is seen as a less harmful option than smoking since it does not involve the combustion of cannabis.
On the other hand, there are many different products for vaping that can pose different dangers. There will be different risks related to dry herb vaporizers, cannabis oil cartridges, potent extracts, or unregulated products.
Some cannabis vapes have even led to some lung injuries during the EVALI epidemic in 2019. Investigations have established the fact that these health problems were linked to vaping of THC-containing products with vitamin E acetate.
Also, high-concentration vape products can facilitate the use of high doses of THC quickly.
This means that one cannot treat vaping as an absolutely safe practice simply because of no presence of smoke.
Edibles allow people to use cannabis without the need for smoking it. It includes products such as gummies, pastries, chocolates, drinks, and any other food products that have either THC or CBD in their composition.
The main problem associated with the consumption of edibles is the delay in effect.
Contrary to the use of cannabis that is inhaled, edibles might not affect a person between 30 minutes and 2 hours after consumption.
The duration of the effects also might be longer than usual.
It is due to such delay that some people might decide to take another dose of cannabis before the initial one has affected them. It will result in much stronger effects than expected.
Edibles, therefore, are good for those individuals who do not want to inhale the smoke. At the same time, they require patience as well as caution when it comes to the dosages.
They should also be stored properly since THC-containing gummies and other edible products might accidentally be consumed by children.
The first and foremost consideration is the concentration of THC.
Modern-day cannabis products have significantly higher concentrations of THC compared to those consumed in past decades. Concentrates, extracts, and particular vaporized or dabbed products may provide for very potent doses.
Higher potency could amplify the level of intoxication and the possibility of undesirable or even dangerous outcomes.
For inexperienced cannabis users, a consumption of products with high potency may pose additional risks for experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and over-intoxication.
Lower THC concentration does not make cannabis products risk-free, but potency is an essential factor to consider.
THC can interfere with abilities necessary for safe driving such as reaction time, coordination, concentration, and judgment.
Even when someone is relaxed or feels like they are functioning normally, they might not be.
Cannabis must never be used together with driving or any activity requiring rapid response and judgment. When cannabis is mixed with alcohol or another drug, the danger will increase even more.
For some individuals, the potential risks associated with cannabis might be a matter of greater concern.
Those at special risk would include:
The input of a health professional familiar with their medical history will assist in evaluating whether the individual needs to exercise special caution.
There is no strategy that will guarantee zero risks; however, a conscious decision could help minimize any unnecessary risks.
The following should be considered:
Understand what levels of THC concentration your product has by reading the label.
It is especially important when talking about edible cannabis because it might take some time to work.
Oil, extract, and dabbing products often have very high concentrations of THC.
Drive only when the effects have worn out completely.
Keep all THC-containing products where children and pets cannot get to them, especially if it looks like candy or regular food.
CBD and other compounds of cannabis can interact with some medications. Consult with your physician or pharmacist if you take any prescription medications.
Testing and quality of the products may differ. Products from unknown or unregulated sources can imply additional risks related to labeling or contamination.
Marijuana Safe does carry risks, yet these do not affect all users or products equally.
The effects of cannabis products greatly depend on such aspects as THC content, dosage, frequency of use, consumption route, quality of the product, and health state of the user.
When inhaling cannabis smoke, the lungs are exposed to combustion byproducts. Vaporizing the substance can eliminate such an effect but can include usage of high-potency concentrates and harmful additives. Consuming edibles does not expose the body to smoking hazards but can lead to unintentional overconsumption due to delay of effects. Consumption of oils and tinctures can offer better dosage control but will still bring side effects and drug interactions.
Instead of looking for the “safest” way of consuming cannabis, people should concentrate on learning about potential risks related to the particular type of the product.
Choosing the safer products involves opting for low doses and being careful with THC potency, using only regulated and quality cannabis products, avoiding combination with other substances that impair performance, and consulting a doctor in case of certain medical conditions or use of prescribed drugs.
