7 Vital Tips for Parents Using Cannabis
You don't have to quit consuming to be a responsible parent.
Modern cannabis consumers aren't what the stereotypes once had us believing. The majority are educated, employed, making a decent income, and maintaining a desirable reputation. A survey done by Eaze gathered demographics from more than 10,000 Californians, and found this information to remain true, along with the knowledge that one-fifth of cannabis consumers are parents.
Whether you're a parent using the plant for medicinal or recreational uses, it's imperative to keep it away from children to ensure their safety. While it's known that it's not a fatal "drug", it can still cause traumatizing effects that might impair a child's mental or physical well-being. Unless your child is using cannabis for their own health, take into consideration these following pointers:
1. Keep your cannabis in child-proof, smell-proof containers out of sight (in a closet, high cabinet, garage, a safe, etc.). The less your kids see it and smell it, the less they'll be likely to snoop around trying to look at it or ask questions about it. Depending on how lenient your home is surrounding knowledge on the plant, you may want to keep paraphernalia out of sight as well. Plus, you don't want your kids to break a bong or pipe - or smell like resin from touching it.
2. Consume it out of sight. It may be true that cannabis is indeed a medicine and not a horrible life-threatening drug, but we don't want our kids to consume anything that messes with their brain chemistry as their brains are growing. By keeping your cannabis out of sight, as well as yourself while taking a hit, a vape, or an edible, your kids' curiosity won't devour their innocence. Plus, if they know when you are high, they might take advantage of you and ask to eat up all the snacks in the cabinet with you.
3. Find your tolerance level and don't go over it. We've all been there - accidentally having too much THC in our brain while either deep thoughts or paranoia distract us from reality. It doesn't look good from the eyes of our kids. We look crazy. Take just enough to catch the relief you're seeking and know when to stop.
4. Never smoke/vape 3-4 hours (or eat cannabis 4-5 hours) before driving or operating machines (lawnmower, snow-blower, electric tools, etc.) not only for your safety, but your kids' safety, and anyone that happens to be around you. Cannabis does influence our reaction time when in distress so always remain vigilant.
5. THC is in our sweat, so avoid touching/holding your kids too much when consuming cannabis unless it's a CBD strain/concentrate. THC can be absorbed through the skin, so until we know how much of a contact high can be transferred via sweat, it's best just to keep your your distance.
6. Educate your kids about cannabis. You don't want them growing up believing the typical stereotypes if you're a consumer. Teach them what you believe about the plant and inform them as to why they shouldn't try it yet.
7. Be prepared in case they get a hold of it. Keep the number to poison control (1-800-222-1222) in your phone or on the fridge especially if your method of ingestion is through edibles. While cannabis isn't lethal, it's possible for adverse effects to take hold of your child and cause a traumatizing experience.