Marijuana has increased in popularity over the last few years as a way to ease pain, support healthy sleep, and to relax. Its popularity has caused a number of marijuana related products, like CBD oil and gummies, to be available for purchase, in addition to the ability to smoke, ingest, and vape it.

Contrary to what was once a popular opinion, marijuana is not a gateway drug. You are not more likely to use other drugs because you use marijuana, and because it can have so many health benefits, more and more people are giving it a try.

However, it is important to remember that marijuana is still a drug, which means you must use it responsibly.

Don’t Use and Drive

Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous, and most people know it, even if some continue to get behind the wheel anyway. It’s not just alcohol that can impair your focus and reaction time, though. Using any kind of drug can impair your ability to drive, including marijuana. Yet, many don’t consider it dangerous.

According to one study, 79 percent of adults reported that alcohol-related DUIs are dangerous, but only 29 percent of the respondents said the same about marijuana.

It’s important not to use marijuana if you plan on driving or operating any kind of machinery. If you do use, wait until the effects have worn off to keep yourself and everyone else safe on the road.

Use Only Where It Is Legal

Many people have experienced the positive benefits of using marijuana responsibly, but it doesn’t matter if you’re using it to reduce pain or manage a medical condition. If it isn’t legal to grow where you live, you could get in trouble for using.

Only use marijuana where it is legal. States include:

Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Illinois
Maine
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
Washington, D.C.

If you live somewhere where marijuana is not legal, consider using a different kind of product. For example, CBD oils, gummies, and other products are legal in all 50 states and can provide you with many of the same benefits as traditional marijuana.

Don’t Use if You’re Taking Other Drugs

Even if it’s legal where you live, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to take. If you take other drugs, you will want to think twice about using marijuana.

As is the case with any other drug, marijuana can interact negatively with prescription drugs. It can be especially dangerous for those on antidepressant medications and anti-anxiety medications, as the psychoactive compounds in both can interact and have unintended consequences. Taking marijuana with sleeping pills is also dangerous.

It’s not just prescription meds you have to watch out for. Marijuana can also interact with allergy and cold medications.

If you’re taking any kind of medication, speak with your doctor before using marijuana. If you want to take an over the counter medication, check with the pharmacist behind the counter.

Don’t Use Before Work or School

Just because you can use doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Even cold medicines can change your ability to focus and be present in the moment, so it should come as no surprise that marijuana can do the same thing.

Using marijuana before work can be downright dangerous. Not to mention, most workplaces don’t allow drug use, even if it’s legal, so you could be fired. Taking it before class could cause you to get a low grade or flunk out. It’s best to wait to use until after the day is over, giving yourself plenty of time for it to wear off before the next morning, or don’t use it at all.

Consider Others Before You Use

It’s important to consider others before you use as well. You may think the way marijuana affects your mood is a good thing, but others may not. If you know it’s going to make your mom, sister, or partner upset, skip the marijuana use until later.

You should also consider those around you, even if you don’t know them well. If you live in an apartment complex, the smell of marijuana can travel fast. Consider using outside, but if you live in a house, you may want to use it inside your home so the smell doesn’t travel to your neighbors.

There’s nothing wrong with using marijuana and marijuana-based products if they help you with pain or your mood. You just have to remember that it is a drug, which means you need to use it responsibly.

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Marijuana Responsibly