Tips For Using Cannabis Safely

From safety tabling to alternative events, the Health Promotion Office is your one-stop shop for tools to ensure a healthy relationship with substances this spring, and help you be successful at UB.

According to our survey data, most UB students don’t use cannabis products. According to our most recent National College Health Assessment, at least 62% of students have never even tried cannabis. Of the students who have tried cannabis, most use it less than once a month.

Remember: even though cannabis is legal in NYS if you’re over 21, it is not permitted on campus due to the Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.

If you’d like to learn more about cannabis safety (or are just interested in winning some fabulous prizes) stop by one of our events this week!

T-Break: Cannabis Safety Tabling

April 17^th from 11 am – 2 pm in the Student Union Lobby.

Join Health Promotion's Alcohol & Other Drug Harm Reduction Program for free snacks, hot tea, and a chance to win a JBL Speaker.

Spring Fing-o!

April 18^th from 7-9 pm in Student Union 145.

Join Health Promotion’s Alcohol & Other Drug Harm Reduction Program for BINGO! This event will feature free food, prizes, and games. We hope luck is on your side!

If you do choose to use cannabis, here are some tips to be a little bit safer: 

• Edibles can be extremely potent. Even people who have tried cannabis in other forms (i.e., vapes, joints, etc.) can find edibles to be overwhelming. If you decide to have an edible, limit yourself to 2.5 to 5 mg of THC at first, and wait at least 2 hours before having more.
• Avoid mystery cannabis products with unknown THC content (e.g., homemade pot brownies, a friend’s vape pen, etc.).
• Avoid mixing alcohol and cannabis. This increases your risk of alcohol poisoning.
• Anything you breathe into your lungs that isn’t clean air increases your risk for asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Keep this in mind – especially if you have a pre-existing respiratory condition.
• Keep an eye on your friends, and don’t pressure anyone to use or use more than they’d like.  If a friend is unconscious or throwing up repeatedly, seek medical help.
• Do not drive after consuming cannabis, have a plan to get home.

If you do choose to use cannabis, get to know your habits and patterns. Consider taking an online assessment if you need help taking a closer look at your usage. Frequent cannabis use is associated with poor mental health, lower GPA, and general dissatisfaction with life. If you’re looking to cut back, check out this tolerance break guide.

Alternatively, Alcohol and Other Drug  specialists are available to meet with students one on one to discuss concerns about oneself or others, as well as any topic related to alcohol and other drugs, and can be reached by contacting the AOD Harm Reduction Program Coordinator.