What Responsible Recreational Cannabis Use Really Looks Like
Simple steps for staying in control of your cannabis habits.
Weed is getting more legal, and a lot of us are pretty happy about it — but it is all too easy to take this shift for granted. At a point in time where the legalization of cannabis is still largely up for debate around the world, we all share in the responsibility of showing that weed is a good thing, not a public health crisis. Let’s explore responsible recreational cannabis use and what it really looks like in practice.
Reasonable Limitations
In order to be responsible when using mind-altering substances, limitations should always be a core area of focus. Does this mean that you shouldn’t get high and enjoy the best bowl of cereal of your life on a Saturday morning? Of course not! It means that your cannabis use should be responsible and within reason.
Setting reasonable limitations with weed requires you to take a look at your body’s feedback and your personal habits. It might mean not smoking when you’re still coughing from yesterday’s joint and opting for an edible instead, or it might mean making sure that you’re not getting stoned every single day. Cannabis should benefit your life, not take away from it. Weed might not be addictive in the traditional sense, but we’ve all known a few people who just smoke way too much. Don’t be that person.
Tolerance Breaks
Tolerance breaks are not just a core component of responsible cannabis use — they are also proper etiquette for cannabis lovers. When you consistently smoke or take edibles, you will inevitably build up a tolerance to them. Ultimately, you will find yourself needing more cannabis to achieve the same effects — and that need comes with a huge price tag. Allowing your body to regularly reset with tolerance breaks is really just good form, and it can help you get more out of your cannabis in the long run.
Appropriate Budgeting
Let’s be straight about it — weed is expensive. In Colorado alone, the cannabis tax rate is 15%, and many other states are following suit. It’s easy to spend well over a hundred dollars during a dispensary trip (and that’s before you tip your lovely budtenders).
A big part of being responsible here is making sure that you’re spending a reasonable amount on weed each month.
What constitutes as responsible will change on a case-by-case basis. Some people can afford THC bath bombs every week, while others have to shop on a lower budget. No matter what your financial situation looks like, if you are recreationally using marijuana, you should not be overspending in any way or spending so much on weed that your actual life is impacted by it. Be smart, make a budget, and shop the deals.
Using Trusted Brands
The cannabis market is getting flooded with new products. Sure, some people make cannabis products because they love good weed — but other people just make them because they want to make good money. It’s those secondary folks that you should be worried about.
Be sure to do your research when shopping different cannabis brands, and always listen to your body’s feedback. A cheap bag of edibles isn’t a good thing if it leaves you feeling groggy and weird the next day.
Knowing What is in Your Products
A great way to find brands that you can trust and be an informed cannabis user is to know what is in your cannabis products — especially your topicals, vape pens, and edibles.
The truth is that you probably won’t be able to see every ingredient inside of them, but choosing brands that are more transparent can help you to make responsible and informed decisions while shopping. More brands, like Dialed In, are disclosing what is in their products online.
Using Cannabis for Fun or As a Tool — Not Out of Habit
If you’re reading this, chances are that you love cannabis and all the good things that come with it — but remember, you can have too much of a good thing.
Yes, you can get stoned and watch funny movies on a Friday night. You can hit your vape pen to make those Sunday afternoon chores breeze by. You can microdose to keep your mind focused and alert while you work during the week.
What you shouldn’t do is allow yourself to start using cannabis out of a self-formed habit rather than as a helpful and fun addition to your life. Do not use cannabis products for the sake of using them. Use them with intent, or you will never truly appreciate the benefits that come with controlled use.
Cannabis Should Add to Your Life — Not Take Away From it
Marijuana is a powerful and amazing gift from nature. It has the ability to help us relax, be more creative, and have fun too — but just like anything else, it can be a problem if you let it.
Your cannabis use shouldn’t harm your relationships, your lifestyle, or your bank account. Instead, it should be something that brings good things to your life. Be smart, be responsible, and have a little fun too!