Skip to Main Content

Be Careful If Consuming

Marijuana can be a powerful substance, especially if you don’t use it appropriately. There are risks to using marijuana, here are some guidelines. 

Store it Safely

Store all marijuana products in a locked area, out of sight and out of reach of children. Keep marijuana in the child-resistant packaging from the retailer. Remember, how you store marijuana should change as your children get older. What works to protect a toddler from accidental ingestion may not work to protect a curious teenager who might actually be looking for it.

Don't Let Accidents Happen

Always keep marijuana safely out of reach of children. If a child eats or drinks marijuana by accident, they may need immediate medical help. Signs of accidental ingestion include: problems walking or sitting up, difficulty breathing, and becoming sleepy. If you worry a child may have ingested marijuana accidentally, call the poison control hotline (1-800-222-1222). If the reaction seems bad, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.

If you’re a pet owner, you should also store your marijuana safely. Call a veterinarian if your pet is showing the following symptoms of ingesting marijuana: depression and listlessness, loss of motor coordination, loss of balance, vomiting or low body temperature.

Be Careful With Edibles

WARNING: edibles can be more potent than other kinds of marijuana. The effects of marijuana can take up to four hours to peak after eating or drinking it. 

Some Things Don't Mix

Mixing marijuana with alcohol or prescription drugs can be dangerous. Alcohol and marijuana at the same time is likely to result in greater impairment than when using either one alone. It’s not a good idea to combine them. Also, be aware of the effect marijuana can have on prescription drugs. Ask your doctor if marijuana could interfere with your prescribed medication.

Secondhand Smoke is No Joke

Secondhand smoke from marijuana has many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as secondhand smoke from tobacco. That means you shouldn’t smoke around children, pregnant women, or anyone who doesn’t want to be exposed to secondhand smoke.

Oops. You Had Too Much

Marijuana affects everybody differently, and varying doses, strains and forms can lead to different lengths and strengths of impairment. The symptoms of using too much marijuana are similar to the typical effects of using marijuana, but more severe. These symptoms may include: extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fast heart rate, delusions or hallucinations, increased blood pressure and severe nausea/vomiting. If someone is having trouble breathing, has pale skin, or is unresponsive, call 911.