Adults 21 and Older

Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, both physical and mental. Eating foods or drinking beverages that contain marijuana can have different risks than smoking marijuana, including poisoning. Consumers should be aware of the effects that marijuana could have on their health before deciding to use it. The most common effects reported are:

• Effects on Breathing
  Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illnesses, and a higher risk of lung infections.
• Effects on Mental Health
  Marijuana use is linked to schizophrenia, and using it long-term may worsen bipolar symptoms and cause social anxiety.
• Effects on The Heart
  Marijuana raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.
• Effects on The Brain
  Marijuana over activates parts of the brain, which causes the “high” that people feel.  Marijuana can also alter body senses (sight, taste, touch, smell), sense of time, mood, body movement, memory, thinking, and problem-solving abilities, and can cause hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis with high doses and/or regular use.
• Effects on Social Life
  Compared to those who don’t use marijuana, those who use large amounts report lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, and more relationship problems. Continuous marijuana usage can negatively impact a person’s work life since marijuana directly affects the parts of the brain that are responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.
• Cancer
  Although more research is needed on marijuana’s ability to increase the risk for different cancers, studies show that marijuana has the same cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco products.
• Marijuana Poisoning
  Eating edibles and other food and drinks that are infused with marijuana can cause poisoning. This usually occurs when a person consumes too much too fast as it can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects. In addition, using medications, alcohol, and other illicit drugs can increase the risk of poisoning, so it is suggested to take less than the full dose and wait at least 30 minutes before taking more.
• Addiction
  For every ten people that use marijuana, one becomes addicted, and this ratio increased for those who begin using during their youthhood. Signs of addiction include abandoning activities with family and friends for marijuana, the inability to quit using, and using even though it affects everyday life, home, school, or work obligations. If you or someone you know would like help quitting marijuana see marijuana resources.

• How Does Marijuana Make You High?
  When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. Edible marijuana can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel effects.

• Method of Use
  • Joint: Hand-rolled marijuana cigarettes. These can also be purchased ready-made from dispensaries as pre-rolls.  The rolling paper can be made from different materials.
  • Spliff: Is a joint that contains a mixture of marijuana and tobacco.
  • Blunt: Cigars are emptied then partly or completely refilled with marijuana. Blunt wraps, which are the outer layer of a cigar, do not require emptying the contents before rolling.
  • Pipes (dry), Bongs (water pipes), Bubblers (dry/wet): Usually made of glass and come in different sizes and designs.
  • Vaporizers: One of the newest ways to consume marijuana products. The devices pull the active ingredients (including THC) from the marijuana and collect their vapor in a storage unit. A person then inhales the vapor but not the smoke.
  • Edibles: People can mix marijuana in foods (edibles), such as brownies, cookies, or candy. Although edibles eliminate the inhaling of toxic chemicals, eating edible marijuana products carries its own harmful risks.

Nevada requires that all cultivation facilities, facilities that produce edible marijuana or marijuana-infused products, and those that dispense medical and recreational marijuana label marijuana containing products. This helps to guarantee the safety of the product and provide you with necessary important information about the product. Here are two examples of labeling for both non-edible and edible marijuana products.

Using marijuana can be risky, depending on how you use it and what activities you do afterward. If you are thinking about using any marijuana product, be safe. Marijuana is stronger than it used to be because of higher levels of THC, so for safer consumption, make sure you read product labels. Some things you should know to help you avoid harming yourself and others:

• Driving under the influence of any marijuana product is illegal and increases your risk of getting into a car crash.
• If you smoke or vape marijuana, you may feel the effects right away, but it can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to feel the effects of edibles. If you eat too much or too fast, you are at a higher risk for poisoning.
• Marijuana affects children more strongly than adults. Children are at higher risk for poisoning, especially with edibles, because most come in dessert form.
• Protect your children and pets. Store all marijuana products in a locked area  out of sight and reach of children and pets.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become soon, you should not use any marijuana products.
• You can also use marijuana if you are 18 or older and have a current qualifying physician’s recommendation or a valid county-issued medical marijuana identification card.

National Institute on Drug Abuse CDC Cannabis Labeling Requirements by State Cannabis Compliance Board Health Effects