Ever since COVID-19 reached a point where the world had to undergo a forced hiatus, health and safety rose in priority. In such times it’s important to maintain extra caution with everything including cannabis. Most of the cannabis consumers have different medical reasons for consumption. And these same medical reasons make them more vulnerable to getting sick with COVID-19. So safety with cannabis is very crucial. But how do you ensure that?

Start from the most basic necessity- medical card. Prefer online clinics to get a medical cannabis card in NY. From the evaluation process to receiving a recommendation, everything is sorted online. This way you avoid any possibility of exposure to the virus. When the time comes to buy, handle and use cannabis, follow these tips to be safe.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, smoking is considered a risky way of consuming cannabis. In present times, our body needs to be in the best shape possible. And smoking or vaping contributes in the opposite way. These methods put the respiratory system under stress which renders it weak against COVID-19. The result?

According to the data collected through the 7 months of the pandemic, smoke causes the individual to develop complications of COVID-19 like pneumonia. In the worst cases, ventilators may also be needed for survival.

A word to the wise, move to smokeless options. Consider using cannabis edibles like chocolates, gummies, beverages etc. Or move to sublingual methods like tinctures and sublingual strips. Cannabis has dozens of smokeless options that do not hamper the health of the respiratory system.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic has a solution, get selfish with cannabis for good. 

I understand the need for socializing with cannabis. Joints are passed through the group with every puff and a stash of buds and edibles are also shared within the social circle. It’s an etiquette that’s followed without being reiterated. But considering the fact that COVID-19 is an infectious disease with a long incubation period and asymptomatic hosts, sharing of anything poses the risk of getting sick.

A joint that has been doing rounds can be a possible carrier of the virus and so can be the stash of buds and edibles. The worst part is that if one gets it, it’s highly likely that everyone else who shared the joint and stash gets it too. That’s the infamous chain of infection. 

So stay safe by getting your own stock and saying no to any shared cannabis product. 

Coming back to the point of exposure, the idea of social isolation and physical distancing is to reduce exposure. If you do not go out or interact with anyone, the risk of getting sick is automatically low. But what about when you have to get a restock of cannabis? You will have to visit the dispensary then, right? Wrong. 

The cannabis industry has been especially particular about following all the safety protocols with utter diligence. Keeping up with the idea of social isolation and distancing, most dispensaries across the US have started home deliveries. Their catalog is available online so that you can make an online order and get it delivered to your doorstep. If the dispensary near you does not offer this facility, try the online stores and see if they deliver to your area. 

This is the best way to make sure that minimal contact is maintained. 

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of good health during the pandemic. Any sort of weakness or sickness puts you in a vulnerable position. 

Holding on to the importance of health, make sure that your cannabis products are of good quality. Only a licensed store can give assurance of high quality and safety. Cannabis products from illegal sources run the risk of contamination and molds that can harm your body if consumed. 

So look for proper labels, lab tests and licensed sources only to ensure that your cannabis products are safe. 

As COVID-19 developed into a global pandemic, several facts about this new virus came to the fore. One of them was its survival period on surfaces. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, SARS-CoV-2 can live on surfaces like cardboard, plastic and aluminum anywhere from a few hours to 3 days. This makes cannabis packaging a potential carrier of the virus. 

Whether you buy cannabis from the store or get it delivered to your home, it’s crucial that you take time to disinfect the packaging. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains an extensive list of cleaning agents that can be used for disinfecting purposes. You can also use bleach or isopropyl alcohol to clean the packaging. However, steer clear from home remedies like vinegar as they do not protect against the virus. 

In the time of COVID-19, people decided to become self-sufficient and pass their extra hours by growing their own cannabis. This trend is still growing and is also a great idea in terms of safety. 

When you start having your own cannabis harvest, you wouldn’t have to leave the safety of your home. No more trips to the dispensaries, no more extra expenses and no more worry of restocks. All you have to do is take a walk to your backyard. 

It is not a difficult job to have your own cannabis plant. All you need is to maintain the proper growing conditions and keep a regular check on the plant’s growth. As long as you maintain it, you’ll have a long time supply of cannabis at home.

Before getting started, just remember to acquaint yourself with the cannabis laws of your state to avoid any legal issues.

In present times when a medical emergency can happen any time, it’s best that you are always in your senses. Avoid staying stoned throughout the day. Consume cannabis according to your dose so that you receive the effects without feeling too high or getting a hangover the next day. 

Overindulgence also puts your safety as well as that of others around you at risk. Your mind isn’t in the right place to follow every precaution correctly which only raises the risk of exposure. So stick to a proper dose for some time and keep your sense intact for the sake of safety.

Having gone through the many tips of staying safe with cannabis, it’s time that you employ them in your routine and follow them as diligently as possible to stay safe during the pandemic.

Source: https://www.nymedicalcard.com/blog/how-to-be-safe-with-cannabis-during-covid-19/