On Tuesday, April 15, Alice! Health Promotion hosted its first-ever informative session on cannabis and encouraged its safe usage.

Alice! Health Promotion seeks to “promote healthy behaviors and goals through Columbia University in various sectors,” including but not limited to sexual and reproductive health, mental health, substance use and recovery, and counseling. 

The talk on Tuesday dived into current guidelines, different forms, psychological and physical effects, and important preventative behaviors regarding cannabis. This is in observance of April 20, or “4/20,” an unofficial holiday people around the world celebrate by consuming cannabis, sometimes as a form of advocacy for its decriminalization or legalization.

Before beginning, Alice! Health Promotion stated that they are backed by a harm reduction approach, wanting not to “promote abstinence, but to develop skills to avoid potential substance misuse.”

It’s against the University’s campus policy to consume cannabis in all of its forms for both medical and personal use. In terms of medical use, it must be done through a regulated program and registered through the NYS Health Department. If you’re over 21 in the state of New York, you can possess and use up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of its concentrated forms outside of your home. Cannabis is federally illegal, and its permitted usage varies across different states, so it’s important to thoroughly research a state’s laws before visiting.

Cannabis is the dried leaves, stems, or seeds from the plant known as Cannabis sativa. It contains a variety of chemicals, but the main psychoactive compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It could come in many different forms, including but not limited to oils, edibles, tinctures, and concentrates.

Someone may decide to use cannabis for a variety of reasons: medication, entertainment, relaxation, or creativity. Someone may also decide not to use cannabis for a variety of reasons—whether it’s beliefs, adverse experiences, mental health, or legality. It’s noted that different reasoning may or may not be equally reasonable, but one must not be invalidated for it.

Cannabis is a complex substance, and its effect can vary widely from person to person. There are numerous factors to determine how cannabis may affect you, and some include your biology, tolerance, medical history, form of cannabis, how you consume it, and your physical environment. Understanding these factors and approaching cannabis with awareness can help make the most of your experience, whether it’s for recreational or medicinal purposes. It’s noted that starting low and going slow is important when finding the right and healthy balance for your body.

Cannabis consumption affects the body and mind in several different ways. While cannabis can produce beneficial effects for some, it can also present noticeable changes in behavior, appearance, and mood. It can produce inhibitions such as changes in energy levels, decreased self-control, and increased appetite. It can affect someone’s judgment by altering their senses, memory, or impulses. It can produce bloodshot eyes, dehydration, muscle twitches, or heightened sensitivity. “Greening out” is when someone experiences overwhelming and uncomfortable effects from consuming too much cannabis.

There are also more extreme signs of cannabis use. These include someone experiencing mental confusion, paranoia/anxiety, delusions/hallucinations, irregular heartbeat/heart palpitation. It’s also important to consider if someone has combined alcohol and cannabis (i.e. cross-faded), as this increases the chances for medical attention. Symptoms may be mental confusion, semi-consciousness, cold/clammy/pale/bluish skin, slowed/irregular breathing, or vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out. With any of these, calling for medical help immediately is strongly advised.

Being an active bystander makes a significant difference, especially during situations involving substances such as cannabis. It’s important to be present, stay aware, and be willing to act with empathy. 

Some protective strategies to take while using cannabis are making sure to purchase products from licensed dispensaries, avoiding cannabis before class or concentrated forms of THC, tracking your cannabis usage, taking regular tolerance breaks, and finding safe ways home in case of emergencies. These all prevent the potential to develop an unhealthy pattern of cannabis use, a medical condition known as Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). 

Cannabis should always be used responsibly, with awareness of how it affects your mind and body. Columbia provides several resources, such as the Cannabis Use Self-Assessment, Go Ask Alice!, CUEMS, and Counseling and Psychological Services. Considering and taking these preventative measures alongside these resources ensures a safer, more comfortable experience.

Cannabis via Bwarchives