Covid 19, also known as the coronavirus, has reached epic proportions becoming a global pandemic. Countries around the world are shutting down. In the United States, we are seeing what we have never seen in our lifetime. Schools are closed until further notice; factories are shutting down, the way of life we were so used to changed overnight. Many people will be experiencing excessive amounts of anxiety, depression, and overall instability during these trials and tribulations of the coronavirus epidemic that has crippled the world around us as well as our nation itself. Shelter-in-place orders are starting to happen across the country. New York, Illinois, Michigan, California, and more have shelter-in-place orders in effect. Social distancing, self-quarantine, shelter-in-place are new words in the vocabulary for many people in society today. These change all sorts of things about the way we used to live life. When it comes to medical cannabis consumers, there are many changes you may need to consider.
Consuming cannabis is a choice many Americans make because it works for them. It makes them feel better. The last thing you want to do when trying to feel better is to make yourself feel worse. Here are five things you can do during the COVID-19 virus pandemic to help keep your cannabis consumption stay safe.
Smoking is a popular method of consumption for many cannabis consumers. With respiratory illness being one of the main areas targeted by this virus, smoking is not recommended. With that in mind, many people aren’t going to listen to that. Joints, bowls, blunts, and bongs are typically shared with other consumers. Sharing is caring, but in this case, it could also be very daring.
During these times, we should consider the process of BYOB or bring your own bowl or bong. If you’re going to share one, it is highly advisable to sanitize the mouthpiece with alcohol after each person. Remembering not to touch your face or mouth is extremely important. It does no good to clean the mouthpiece and then touch the bowl where someone else touched it and then touch your face. If you are smoking joints, keep them to yourself. If you feel the need to share, let somebody roll one-up themselves. Instead of burning blunts by yourself or whole joints, cut them in half and make it last twice as long or give the other to a friend or loved one to consume, at a safe social distance of course!
Edibles are a great way to safely enjoy some cannabis during these dangerous times. When you make a batch of edibles or purchase edibles from your local dispensary, you are not taking a bite and then sharing it with someone else. You can give them a piece of candy, and you can have a piece of candy, or you can split chocolate bars in half. Unlike smoking, no exchange of saliva takes place. Stock up on edibles or activated cannabis oil, and you will be good to go with a safe supply of cannabis during these crazy times.
It’s not just about consuming cannabis; it’s about obtaining it too. Taking a trip to your local dispensary puts you at risk. COVID 19 can live on surfaces and in the air even when people are not present. This means you could walk into an empty building and run the risk of coming into contact with the virus. This is why many dispensaries are choosing social distancing and operating on a curbside or delivery basis.
Chances are if you contact your local dispensary, you can work out arrangements to pick up cannabis without having to go inside or having direct contact with people. You can place an order over the phone and have the exact amount of money ready in an unsealed envelope. You can place the envelope on your back seat or in your trunk where it can be exchanged for your medical cannabis supplies. This avoids contact and helps keep you safe while trying to obtain your medical cannabis supplies. Face masks and gloves are also a great option but are becoming scarce and not so easily obtainable.
Grow your own medical cannabis. This is quite possibly the best way to obtain the medical cannabis supplies you need safely. Growing your own cannabis is rewarding, as well as therapeutic. By supplying yourself with a sufficient stock of cannabis seeds, you can be ready to maintain your medical cannabis supplies for months or years to come. The great thing about growing your own medical cannabis is not only the benefits from the buds of the plant, but you also have therapeutic benefits from the fresh green leaves as well as roots and stems that can be utilized for medicinal purposes.
If you absolutely are one of those people that require company while medicating with cannabis, consider doing virtual hangouts. If a sesh is best with friends, then invite those friends to a watch party or chat with a group of buddies FaceTime to get your sesh on. As long as you are having your safety meeting with friends online, you should sufficiently qualify as a participant in social distancing while remaining social!
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