Top 10 Cannabis Harm Reduction Tips For Safer Use And Better Experiences
Harm reduction is an approach aimed at minimizing the negative health, social and legal consequences associated with both drug use and prohibitionist policies. Rather than insisting on abstinence, it acknowledges that some people will continue to use substances and therefore focuses on reducing potential harms and improving the quality of life.
The following tips are a compilation of information from prestigious organizations such as the Harm Reduction Association of Argentina (ARDA), the UK Release and Drugs and Me. When it comes to cannabis—one of the most widely consumed substances worldwide—applying harm reduction principles can significantly enhance user safety and well-being.
Here are ten essential tips for reducing risks associated with cannabis use:
1. Choose Safer Methods Of Consumption
Smoking cannabis is common but introduces harmful toxins from combustion into the lungs. Alternatives like vaping or using water pipes can lower exposure to these toxins. Vaping heats the cannabis without burning it, reducing the intake of tar and carcinogens. According to ARDA, “avoiding combustion and lowering the temperature of the smoke is key to reducing harm.” Using clean, well-maintained equipment made from safe materials like glass or metal also helps avoid inhaling contaminants.
2. Start Low, Go Slow
Cannabis potency varies widely between strains and products. When trying a new strain or form -especially edibles – start with a small dose and wait to ascertain its effects before consuming more. The organization Drugs and Me advises, “When trying a new strain or form of cannabis for the first time, start with small doses at long intervals to avoid overdosing and the unpleasant side-effects that come with it.”