The war on
cannabis is over. It ended earlier this year when the Epilepsy Foundation declared
“an end to seizures should not be determined by one’s zip code.” Eventually Obama,
or the next one in, will be forced by public opinion to 86 Schedule 1 and
reveal our nation's biggest lie.
Scientists and researchers will then rush in to
discover what cannabis patients and others have learned on their own—sometimes
the hard way. Cannabis won’t kill you, but it’s not harmless.
Overdoses
are on the rise, some have had tragic consequences. The dark side of the
cannabis revolution is that the right to choose is returning to a population unaccustomed
to using any sort of complex and powerful medicinal herb. Much less one that
looks like a chocolate bar and tastes divine…
THC overdoses hit
hard and go long; fear, confusion, panic, paranoia, anxiety, short-term memory
loss, slow reaction time, racing thoughts, dizziness, sweating, hallucinations,
nausea, vomiting, severe headache, parched mouth/throat, chills, shortness of
breath, low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, heart palpitations, and in some
cases ,the sensation of being crushed.
First-timers
with edibles and extracts should go slow, and it’s best to start early on a
free day. If possible, know what you’re getting. Sativa and indica strains can
deliver significantly different strengths and experiences, and activation times
can vary tremendously among the many ways cannabis can be consumed.
A
conservative trial dose of THC is less than 25 milligrams (mg); keep in mind
that a dispensary sweet can easily contain five times that amount. For those
with even less tolerance for risk and/or effect, one-tenth of a 100 mg chocolate
bar can make for a good trial. If you’re getting edibles at the fair, take heed;
potency’s a bragging right in cannabis country.
Green dragon
tincture, a fiery reduction extract made with 190 proof spirits, is a Dionysian
remedy that can put you down and lay you out. If it’s thick and dark emerald
green, test with no more than 8-10 drops (pictured made in Rhode Island from the dank Dutch strain BLZ).
Tincture evaporates to sticky oil
that can produce significant effects from grain-sized doses. On the weaker side
is light green menstrum (first press) which may require 25 drops or more to
yield a desired effect.
Give it an
hour and see how you feel. One of the most common paths to overdose is going
double-down—re-dosing before the first dose has kicked in. Wait at least 90
minutes (or longer) between trials. And know what to do if things get rough.
Taking care
of yourself in the heavy grip of a THC OD can be a nightmarish experience,
especially due to the fear and paranoia that often dominate the early hours. Don’t
move about. Get comfortable. Stay away from the stove and don’t light any
candles. Drink water and juice. You’ll likely be parched and find it’s hard to
swallow so no snacking. Not one chip.
Caring for others
who’ve ingested too much weed takes patience and a soft touch. Gently coax the stricken
to a quiet, dark sit spot; warm, safe, familiar if possible, with pillows and
blankets all around. No bystanders.
A damp cloth
on the forehead/over the eyes may settle the nerves and help with the headache
and nausea. Stay close but don’t engage in the drama. Be the nurse; relax, close your eyes, breathe, you’re safe
here, sleep is on the way…
After a few
hours of peak suffering, a physical malaise will settle things down fast. Cannabis
is not toxic so there’s no hangover after the deep sleep, and no long term
effects, other than maybe wisdom and humility.
WARNING:
People with pre-existing conditions such as angina can be at greater risk.
Watch for symptoms that warrant professional care including trouble breathing,
pale skin color and unresponsiveness. If the individual gets aggressive or
crazed, some other drug’s almost certainly in the mix. Make the call.
Bottom line:
Cannabis is powerful medicine. Don’t be a dope. Use with respect.
Carl Hedberg
is a cannabis care mentor living in Lafayette, Colorado. pvtmeds@hushmail.com
