FAQ

Marijuana goes by many different names: Cannabis, flower, weed, pot, dope, bud, ganja, and mary jane are just a few. Essentially, all these words refer to the dried flowers and leaves of the hemp, or cannabis, plant. Recreational marijuana contains the psychoactive (or mind-altering) compound like tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. The hemp plant and resulting marijuana flower also contains other active compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) that do not produce feelings of being “high.”

Here are some more of our customers’ most common questions about using marijuana products:

• How is marijuana used?
  Marijuana has many different uses, and each can produce different effects. Some users smoke it rolled like a cigarette (joint or blunt), and others smoke from a pipe or bowl. Cannabis can also be added to candy or food (edibles) or brewed as a tea. Oils, concentrates, and extracts are also popular means of consumption, known as “dabbing.”
• How will marijuana affect me?
  The effects of smoking marijuana or using other cannabis-infused products can vary from person to person. Like any drugs, the effects of marijuana depend on factors like a person’s age, weight, genetics, gender, mode of consumption, strength or potency, as well as previous experience using marijuana and other drugs.
• Is marijuana medicine?
  Research on the medicinal benefits of marijuana is ongoing, but it’s important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine. Users should also note that smoking any substance—including cannabis—can result in damage to your lungs, heart, and cardiovascular system.
• That said, a growing number of scientists have linked cannabis, particularly cannabidiol or CBD, to relief from seizures and other conditions. When in doubt, be sure to check with your medical professional to decide if using marijuana to treat medical conditions is right for you.
• Is marijuana addictive?
  While the majority of regular cannabis users are not physically dependent on marijuana, studies suggest about 1 in 10 adult users will become addicted. If you are wondering whether you may be addicted to marijuana, resources are available via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• Is it possible to overdose on marijuana?
  Marijuana has not been linked to fatal overdose; however, some users have reported a bad experience, with side effects ranging from extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, and panic to elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and nausea or vomiting. Such reactions can lead to unintentional injury, so it is critical to practice extreme safety when using marijuana and cannabis-infused products.
• Is it safe to mix marijuana with alcohol, tobacco, or prescription drugs?
  Using marijuana in combination with alcohol, tobacco, or prescription drugs can result in greater impairment than when using one of these substances alone. Be aware that marijuana can change the normal effects of alcohol and prescription drugs. If you are thinking about using marijuana, be sure to talk with your doctor about potential interactions with your lifestyle habits and any medications you are taking.
• Is it safe to use marijuana if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
  The effects of marijuana on unborn or breastfeeding children are unclear. However, it is possible to pass chemicals to your baby through breast milk—even hours after using marijuana. To limit potential risk, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should avoid using marijuana.

It is also important to note that secondhand marijuana smoke can be extremely harmful to infants, children, and animals. Avoid smoking marijuana around others, and put all cannabis and cannabis-infused products out of reach from children and pets at all times.

For more information related to safe, legal consumption of marijuana—as well as cannabis laws in the state of Colorado—check out our Cannabis 101 and Visitor Info pages. If you have any other questions, please contact a cannabis professional at The Happy Camper.