Recreational Cannabis: How Safe is it?

By Ruth Hill R.N.

In this article, I will explain the dangers of cannabis that we so often overlook. Cannabis used medically is like any other drug. There are side effects and drug interactions that must be respected and reported to an experienced practitioner.

Recreational cannabis (RC) use is NOT the same as medical use and is still considered dangerous. Users who combine cannabis with alcohol, heroin, meth, high dose opiates like fentanyl, or any other street drug can bring lethal consequences. The lack of standardized regulations for testing products is one of the most dangerous risk for adolescents and adults using any form of cannabis.

Cannabis ingested by anyone under the age of 21 is dangerous due to its effects on growing brain cells. Studies have shown that teens who started using RC are at high risk for developing schizophrenia in midlife. Just like you would not tell children or teenagers to ingest digoxin, oxycodone, dexamethasone, or any cold medications unless under the care of a medical doctor, the same is true of RC or MC.

So, the question is can children use MC? Yes, they can unequivocally. There are very beneficial uses for children who have seizures, cancer, and other debilitating diseases. But they must be under the care of a medical physician with experience in MC. Dustin Sulak, MD is one resource, https://healer.com/. I cannot repeat this enough, RC is NOT MC.

Cannabis can interact with some medications. Examples include seizure medications, anticoagulant medications, medications that enhance serotonin uptake, and cancers or diseases known to affect CYP450 enzymes. At sufficient dosages, CBD will temporarily deactivate cytochrome P450 enzymes, thereby altering how we metabolize a wide range of compounds. https://projectcbd.org/

MC is a self-regulated medication. It is a paradigm shift for both patient and physician. Any cannabis you buy in a dispensary does not have an exact dose; it is not reliable. When you buy a digoxin tablet from a pharmacy, you know you are getting the same dose in every tablet, every time, from any pharmacy. This is not true for cannabis. We are a long way from exact dosing. Each plant needs to be lab-tested, and each extracted oil needs to be lab-tested. Just being in a different light can change the composition of a growing plant leaf.

Smoking cannabis, Dr. Donald Tashkin, a pulmonologist, states, carries an increased risk of opportunistic infections but not an increased risk of emphysema. Cannabis has 50% more tar than cigarettes. The THC dose absorbed systemically in a joint is 25%-28% of the total available THC in the joint. Do you know the content of the THC in your joint?

Testing positive for marijuana does not mean one is under the influence of a drug at the time of the accident. In Colorado marijuana-related traffic deaths increased by 154 percent between 2006 and 2014; Colorado emergency room hospital visits that were “likely related” to marijuana increased by 77 percent from 2011 to 2014; and drug-related suspensions/expulsions increased 40 percent from school years 2008/2009 to 2013/2014.

I cannot emphasize enough that Medical Cannabis/Marijuana is NOT the same as Recreational Cannabis/Marijuana. MC is a tested product that gives a microdose of one or more molecules of the cannabis plant. In many cases, only a 1mg dose is needed for results. All medical cannabis products should have on the label exactly what is in the product, in what ratio, and in what quantity.

While cannabis is a self-prescribed medication, it can replace many current pharmaceuticals. Reducing prescribed medications should be done in consultation with the prescribing physician to avoid withdrawal. Many drugs can produce a rebound effect if suddenly stopped, i.e., steroids, antipsychotics, and even antihistamines can, in some cases, cause a rebound effect. A rebound effect is when a drug is stopped, the body suddenly rebounds and needs much more of the drug than previously prescribed. In conclusion, RC is dangerous, MC is safe when used appropriately.

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