Virginia Marijuana Card answers your questions about what happens if you use too much medical marijuana and get too high
Despite the excitement over adult use cannabis being legal to possess in 2021, getting a Virginia marijuana card is still the only way to legally purchase cannabis products until 2024. With the focus on moving into a more recreational market, however, people who are still on the fence about getting a medical card are starting to feel left behind.
The variety found at Virginia cannabis dispensaries is expanding and may be overwhelming for some. And the higher concentrations of THC found in medical marijuana products always raises a few questions among both newbies and old-school cannabis users.
No one wants to get so high they have to go to the hospital, and using medical marijuana is supposed to be a relaxing experience that helps you feel your best. Not a tour de force that leaves you breathless and afraid to try again.
In this post, we are going to help calm your nerves over trying the newer products on the medical marijuana market in Virginia, and take a look at what you can do if you get too high.
Medical Marijuana Overdose Deaths Are Nonexistent
The opioid crisis in the United States has more of us worried about the potential for overdose when using painkillers and sleep aids, but cannabis works on a different part of the brain than most other prescription medications in these categories.
Opioids, for example, cross the brainstem, which is in charge of involuntary bodily functions like breathing. They suppress lung functioning, leading to overdose death.
Cannabis, however, does not cross the brainstem, and it has not killed anyone yet. Some sources say that you would have to smoke 1,500 pounds of marijuana in 15 minutes in order to have a fatal overdose. (I guess it’s good to have goals.)
Too Much Cannabis Can Still be Damaging
Any time cannabis legalization of any kind is new to a state, you’ll start to see “news” stories pop up about trips to the hospital over too much THC. You CAN experience damaging effects of getting too high if you have a heart condition or a mental illness that makes you prone to psychotic episodes.
Getting too high may lead to elevated blood pressure and anxiety attacks (not good for people who have heart disease), and it can cause hallucinations and psychotic thinking in cases where mental illness is present.
Unregulated Products Can Be Tainted
We recognize that just because you can legally get medical-grade marijuana in Virginia when you have a marijuana card, many are simply going to continue using their source on the unregulated market.
This can be risky for your health and your wallet. You might face a fine if you are caught with too much or a product you purchased illegally, but the bigger cost is what could happen if you get a tainted product.
When you purchase marijuana on the illicit market, you don’t know where your cannabis has been grown, what was used to control pests or to fertilize the plants, or if it was processed around other drugs. Fentanyl can be fatal at a dose the size of three grains of sugar.
This is one of the biggest reasons why it’s better to purchase medical marijuana instead of what you can find on the street.
What Happens if You Get Too High?
Most likely, nothing worth noting will happen if you get too high—other than the story you’ll tell your friends about that time you got too high. Generally speaking, getting too high just means you’ll be very uncomfortable and feel out of control until the THC in your system starts to wear off. You might also be obnoxious to the people around you or fall asleep at the party. Or both.
And then you’ll be just fine.
Getting Too High is Avoidable
The variety of medical marijuana products available at Virginia dispensaries gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to finding what you need in order to fit your lifestyle, tolerance, and preferences. This means that you can usually find something that works for you even if you have a low tolerance for THC.
Start Low, Go Slow
We tell everyone to start low and go slow. You are not obligated to take what some might consider a “full dose.” Your body is completely different from anyone else’s body, and it may take some experimentation to find the right products and dosing for you.
Start with the lowest dose possible, or even cut your dose in half if you are using edibles or tinctures.
Find Lower THC Products to Start
While high THC products are definitely popular, Virginia dispensaries carry a variety of products that are gentle on your system and lower in THC. Tinctures and edibles made by Dharma are generally a favorite among beginners, and the pharmacist at your local dispensary can suggest products and dosing that will keep you feeling good without going over the edge.
Things to Do if You Accidentally Get Too High
Okay, so let’s say that despite our best advice and your attentiveness to details, you accidentally get too high or too impaired. The first thing to do is remember that things are going to be okay (unless of course you managed to smoke 1,500 pounds of marijuana in 15 minutes). The high will end in a couple of hours, and you will feel normal again.
Here is a list of things that will make the ride more pleasant:
Take Deep Breaths
Try this square breathing technique
Read a book
Drink some water
Drink water with lemon (the terpenes in lemon can help you calm down)
Chew or sniff peppercorns (terpenes to help you relax)
Get your heart pumping in a good way, get your blood flowing, and get some fresh air!
Take a nap
Go for a walk
Phone a friend
Watch a movie
Play video games
Eat something
Do art
Look at art
Try journaling about how you feel
Take a bath or shower
Get a Virginia Marijuana Card, and Get the Relief You Deserve!
Giving medical marijuana a try may be one of your best decisions in 2021. When you take an intentional approach to cannabis, you can take control of your treatment plan, safely using natural medicine for natural relief.
Give us a call at (888) 633-5808 to get all your questions answered, or simply schedule a marijuana evaluation appointment today! Our doctors are here to help you work through your concerns and build the kind of treatment plan that works best for you!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Virginia!