Buying ganja Bog Walk

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Buying ganja Bog Walk

Health For Life White Marsh is here to serve patients with compassionate, expert care. We believe in the transformative power of medical cannabis and offer a carefully selected range of products designed to meet individual health needs. Our team of Patient Consultants is dedicated to providing personalized support, ensuring that each patient receives the education and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Learn why Health for Life White Marsh is a preferred destination for medical cannabis patients. Our community praises our commitment to providing compassionate care, high-quality products, and a comfortable, supportive environment. See what our patients have to say about the benefits of choosing us for their wellness needs. Due to MCA restrictions , we are required to complete all sales by our posted closing times. As a result, we are unable to allow anyone to enter the facility after these times:. Health for Life will only accept defective products for return or store credit with the original packaging and the contents of the original product within 48 hours. White Marsh, Maryland, is a delightful area that charms both visitors and residents for many reasons. Here are some highlights:. Natural Beauty: Beautiful natural parks like Honeygo Run Regional Park, ideal for sports, picnicking, and exploring nature trails, as well as the scenic Gunpowder Falls State Park, perfect for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Outdoor Activities: Fantastic outdoor activities, including golfing at the nearby Mountain Branch Golf Course , and enjoying a vibrant community with unique shops, delicious restaurants, and entertainment options like the AMC White Marsh 16 for movie lovers. When visiting a dispensary for the first time, be sure to bring a valid government-issued ID to verify your age and identity. Having cash on hand is also helpful, as some dispensaries may not accept credit cards. Cannabis may only be lawfully consumed by a consumer 21 years old or older, or a registered medical cannabis patient. Consumption of cannabis may impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Please use extreme caution. There may be health risk associated with cannabis use, especially during pregnancy or breast-feeding. A person must be at least 21 years old to view this content. Explore Today's Highlights. Daily Specials. You're Shopping At:. Medical Cannabis Dispensary. White Marsh. Pick Up Hours. About Us. From Downtown Baltimore. From Towson. From White Marsh. From I From our White Marsh Customers. John McMahon 18 Oct All associates very cordial. Olivia quite knowledgeable. Showed me around,we chatted, answered my questions confidently and happily. You should be quite happy and proud to have Olivia on your Staff! Suggested using my points, saved me a bundle. Also picked out some stuff for me. James Brennan 16 Oct Julie Pappas 16 Oct Kai Nichols 14 Oct Great place to visit with great prices! Brandon B The Commish 13 Oct They have friendly and pleasant staff who are knowledgeable. Reverend Lucinda Tuzzolo 11 Oct My husband and I are both medical cannabis, I suffer from extreme anxiety, ptsd, and bipolar disorder so I rely on my husband for support. We have been coming to health for life since they opened and trust me there is always an issue when we go to this particular dispensary, their other 2 dispensaries NO issues. I didn't know health for life was allowed to ask you about your prescribing doctor when you check in, twice I have been asked about it even after I asked them is that allowed. Then today they separated me from my husband saying that new rules state he could not wait for me to finish checking out. Which put me in a state of panic, I literally left health for life feeling like I was just violented shaking could not drive i have never been put in a situation where I didn't know what to do it literally happened so fast with me asking why they made him leave, the dispensary wasn't packed with patients so to say new rules. Why bother letting us go back together is your sole intention is to separate love ones and then put a patient into a situation where they completely fall apart??? I spend alot of money on special thc products so I will take my business elsewhere. I pray no other patients go through what I just went through this experience literally upset me and my whole day. This isn't no laughing matter some people truly do need support and even after I explained my situation to the 'management ' i was still told new rules. So for 5 years I had support from my husband and now they separated us and lost our business. I go to health for life for help and I walked out struggling. Shame on health for life. Karina Gutierrez Nieves 11 Oct Pernell Lawson 10 Oct Aaron Afrah 09 Oct This place has a fantastic variety and they usually have amazing deals and very affordable products. Firstly, I walked in there to get a disposable cart because I needed something immediately for my chronic knee pain. They didn't give me that, they gave me a card that needs a battery and they resurrected the issue by giving me a free battery, however it did not come with a chart so I have to wait about 15 to 20 minutes for it to charge for me to get rid of my pain. The first time I went in and purchased this cart, I had my prescription sunglasses on and was not asked to remove them. The second time I went in I was asked to remove them and when I mentioned that they are prescription I was not told that I could put them back on so I kept them off like a blind man. That's wrong on so many levels! It's almost as if asking an asthma patient not to use his inhaler inside. I won't mention the employee whom which did disclose his or her name, however you might want to have a talk with your staff about being a little bit more accommodating towards people's medical needs considering you're a medical dispensary! Chloe France 08 Oct Best in the business! Shiloh Duvall 07 Oct Great experience. They always have great flavors and nice staff. Paul was kind and easy to talk to about what I needed. John Lambert 07 Oct Rachael 07 Oct Adeline Paugh 06 Oct Shakea Smith 04 Oct Have no respect for their customers.. Can be very rude Dominic Pappas 03 Oct The only dispensary I go to now! Always have good deals and good products and a great rewards system even the new one! Jim Sudina 03 Oct Knowledgeable, friendly, and fast. Bee Walk34 02 Oct I was impressed with their online sales pricing, and I really like the location. The inside is clean and has a nice seated waiting room. Ricky Burke 02 Oct They got rid of their teacher and first responder discounts and added like 10 years onto the senior discounts. Thomas Williams 30 Sep Message Madison was so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I appreciate her very much. Marie Hakala 30 Sep Very nice staff. Make sure you have cash when shopping here. Prices are reasonable, too. I am saying 5 stars every time I have came here I have had a great experience. The Darra was polite and friendly. The products and brands they have are top notch. And there prices are average compared to other places. I have been shopping here since and will continue to shop here. Keren Ramos 30 Sep DeShawn B 28 Sep Always quality service and I can usually catch a good deal on some high grade flower. Caitlin Barwick 27 Sep Sean Recher 27 Sep Very pleasent woman, very quickly too was in and out waited longer in the waiting room. Michael Denbow 27 Sep Madison was awesome! Answered all my questions. Jason Briscoe 26 Sep Daniel was very knowledge and made sure I got what I was looking for. Jessica Heffner 25 Sep Thank you Mark C! Diane Kotowski 25 Sep Today was a wonderful experience for me as a first time customer. Ariel was stupendous in explaining the product differences and making recommendations for my particular health needs. I am so glad I came to Health for Life. Ariel also helped me navigate through the various procedures for placing and picking up my orders. Thanks Ariel for being so accommodating!! Diane Kotowski. Ryan Scalfari 25 Sep So far all my purchases there have been great. Especially working with Alex and Daniel on different occasions. Jessica Liberatore 25 Sep Every single employee at HFL is awesome, so knowledgeable, so kind! Erika matched me with the perfect items to give me the medicinal properties I needed while at reasonable prices. My favorite spot in the area! Karen Ferguson Schroeder 24 Sep Nitro Nash 22 Sep Doors close way before 6pm Sundays. J diggy 22 Sep Tray had me in and out faster than a drive thru with impeccable service! Thank you sir. Jonny Jon 22 Sep Great people, great service. My bud tender Kirsten was very helpful as usual and has a great personality. Brian Command 22 Sep Lenny 21 Sep Olivia was upbeat and very professional, she was attentive to my order and got me in and out in a timely fashion Great Job Olivia. Patricia Hightowera 19 Sep Ronald Vitek 19 Sep Rachel was my bud tender she was extremely sweet and so easy to talk to i was slightly apprehensive at first with some things as cannabis is new to me to deal with my pain for my disability.. Jessica Ambrose 19 Sep Sarah was very knowledgeable, friendly, and helped me find everything I was looking for! They have great deal for medical card members. Awesome prices and love the discounts. If definitely a place to check out for all your medical Marijuana needs. Greatc deals for people with medical Marijuana card. In and out today. I be back in a few weeks. Always have great deals. Check it out.. Robin Moore 13 Sep Some of us depend on our discounts! Why all the changes guys? A lot of the other dispensaries have great deals. I only choose to stop by here sometimes now because of the budtenders! Seems like the budtenders only care about usMgmt NEVER greets anyone, talks to anyone even when they are on the floor! I always looked forward to seeing the budtenders! The new rewards program… Ways to make me spend more money.. But I have to give 2 stars now to you now because of all the changes! Mgmt just needs to really see what a negative move this was! Charlotte Harter 08 Sep Kelly Hubbe 07 Sep You guys are awesome and very helpful. Thank you HFL. Susan Mellen 04 Sep This is my spot! I recommend u make it urs! They r on point! I love this spot. Its my favorite bc the deals r insane! Thanks guys. Thanks for being there for me. I cant wait to see what the new year brings. I am loving the new tiered spending system. Everyone is always so nice and patient. I take every opportunity i can to learn from them and they will surely teach me. I appreciate that everyone takes the time to answer my questions instead of trying to just get me done and onto the next. Heres to wishing us all happiness, good health and wealth for the new year. Best deals around, hands down! I challenge anyone to find better deals! This dispensary is still as awesome as it was in January!!! Maybe even more awesome than January!!!! Its always GDFR in there! U need to come participate in these deals! And the most laid back atmosphere! I tell u no lies. Thank u to the staff for always being accommodating. I appreciate everything that u guys do for me and the patience u all exhibit when dealing with me. Thank u for teaching me something new each visit. Im sure i can work on doing better to remain in compliance with ur requirements. I truly know that i am a headache customer but this place knows how to handle me. This place is great! Please come see for urself and im sure u will agree. But i still feel the same as all my reviews. This is the best spot for the best deals from the friendliest product specialist. At the risk of repeating myself, u gotta come see for urself! Best loyalty program around. Best product specialist in town! Tried to do a rhyming thing lol. Still hoping to c u there!!!!! My family and i r ready to plant our roots! We r turning our rent into a mortgage! That being said, we r all trying to cut our spending so we save more. Along with remembering to turn lights off, managing our Apps and movie buys I decided to try and manage my spending on my meds. Well i need to hit sales if I intend to get the most out of my buck without cutting back how much i get or cut as little as possible. So where do i go? U guessed it! This place is going to help me buy a house!!! Well, indirectly lol. I really recommend this dispensary. The products r great, they have great prices, the staff is always giving off chill vibes. I liked the old point system better, it let me use my points more often and the reward was something that really helped me. The new program is meant for people who make big purchases all the time, i think, but i am on a limited income and I usually pick up only what i can budget at the moment. But im sure the majority of people benefit and we gotta go with the majority. George Tompkins 01 Sep I've never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly and always makes sure I save as much money as possible! Glenn Blackburn 29 Aug Anthony Appel 25 Aug Great variety of things and good prices. Dylan Meyers 22 Aug Quick, efficient service. Easy parking, friendly staff. Love the deals!. Although there was a change on the website about times. Unfortunately it was closed before the times the client knew about unfortunately. David Tryhubenko 19 Jul They've always got great deals and every strain you could ever possibly want!! Great customer service every single time, they've got a percentage off of just about everything different sales everyday of the week!! If you want quality customer service, fresh products, and well versed employees all around, take yourself over on to Health for Life Dispensary of Baltimore!!! Absolutely a 10 out of 10!!! Keeping it a stack, one day at a time!! Chante Franco 29 Jun I recently visited Health for Life in White Marsh, and I couldn't be more pleased with my experience! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcome and at ease. The facility is clean, modern, and well-organized, creating a comfortable and professional atmosphere. The team is incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to understand my needs and preferences. They provided thorough information and answered all my questions, ensuring I felt confident and informed about my choices. The selection of products is impressive, offering a variety of high-quality options that cater to different needs. I appreciated the staff's recommendations, which were spot-on and helped me find exactly what I was looking for. Overall, Health for Life in White Marsh is a top-notch establishment that prioritizes customer satisfaction and wellness. I highly recommend this location to anyone seeking quality products and exceptional service. I will definitely be returning! Joshua Dalgo 06 May Helped me to make the daily deals and all the available sales work for me to get everything I wanted for the best price. But this always means the wait times. Try your best to come during non-peak hours. Gelato Cake, it is always a favorite. Top Sellers. Store Notice. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Staff Picks. Popular Flower. Why We Love White Marsh. Popular Pre-Rolls. Popular Vaporizers. Popular Edibles. Popular Concentrates. Month Day Year. Our Menu. Baltimore Med. Baltimore Rec. Bethesda Med. Bethesda Rec. Whitemarsh Med. Whitemarsh Rec. Rewards Login. Consumption Methods. Endocannabinoid System. Contact Us. Career Opportunities. Wholesale Inquiries. Choose Your Location. Shop Now. White Marsh Rec. White marsh Med. This will clear your cart This will clear your cart and selections. Are you sure you want to proceed? No Yes. Select your store Select a retailer store from either recreational or medicine. How are you placing your order? Some retailers will only support one order type. Shopping Cart. Update Cart. Successfully removed from cart. Cart updated! Error Could not add product to the cart. Please retry. Proceed to checkout.

Responsible and controlled use: Older cannabis users and harm reduction

Buying ganja Bog Walk

Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corresponding author. Cannabis use is becoming more accepted in mainstream society. We present selected findings from our qualitative study of Baby Boomer born — cannabis users in the San Francisco Bay Area. Data collection consisted of a recorded, in-depth life history interview followed by a questionnaire and health survey. Interviewees made harm reduction choices based on preferred cannabis derivatives and routes of administration, as well as why, when, where, and with whom to use. Most interviewees minimized cannabis-related harms so they could maintain social functioning in their everyday lives. Responsible and controlled use was described as moderation of quantity and frequency of cannabis used, using in appropriate settings, and respect for non-users. Users contributed to the normalization of cannabis use through normification. Users contributed to cannabis normalization through their harm reduction methods. These cultural practices may prove to be more effective than formal legal prohibitions in reducing cannabis-related harms. Findings also suggest that users with access to a regulated market medical cannabis dispensaries were better equipped to practice harm reduction. More research is needed on both cannabis culture and alternative routes of administration as harm reduction methods. Keywords: Cannabis, marijuana, older drug users, risk, harm reduction, normalization. As suggested by opinion polls and public forums, an increase in cultural acceptance and support for legislative reform are other indicators that cannabis use is moving from the margins to the mainstream Parker, Current rates of illicit drug use among U. Others find that cannabis has become part of mainstream culture for youth and otherwise conforming adults who do not abandon its use when more mature roles and responsibilities are assumed Hathaway, ; Hathaway, ; Hathaway et al. As cannabis use is normalized in society, it becomes more important to understand how to reduce both short- and long-term harms associated with its use. Harm reduction is a set of strategies that aim to minimize problems associated with drug use, while recognizing that for some users abstinence may be neither a realistic, nor a desirable goal. We extend the definition to include the different derivatives of cannabis flowers, edibles, concentrates , as well as routes of administration smoking, eating, vaporizing. Some harm reduction techniques related to smoke inhalation include: using cannabis strains with a high THC 1 content, refraining from using cannabis with tobacco or other dried herbs, using cannabis that is free of contaminants and adulterants, omission of the Valsalva maneuver 2 and prolonged breath holding, and the use of alternative delivery systems such as pipes, vaporizers, and oral preparations Grotenhermen, However, Gieringer found that the use of water pipes produced a higher ratio of tars per cannabinoids than joints because water also filters out THC. Water pipes may be counterproductive in reducing tars from cannabis smoking because the reduced THC content could motivate users to smoke more cannabis than they would with other routes of administration. While there has been limited research on vaporizing cannabis, studies indicate vaporization is a safe and effective mode of THC delivery Abrams et al. Use of alternative delivery systems constitute practical harm reduction techniques that give users control over the drug. Setting refers to the physical and social context in which cannabis use takes place, and how these change over time. The physical setting comprises places, people, and things present during use. The social context of cannabis use includes broader macro social and political contexts in which individuals use cannabis. Zinberg argues that the development of sanctions values and rules of conduct and rituals patterns of behaviour bring the use of drugs under control. Social sanctions define whether and how a particular drug should be used, and can be informal or formal laws and policies. Rituals, developed to support sanctions for cannabis use, include methods of procuring and administering the drug, selection of the physical and social setting for use, activities undertaken after use, and ways of preventing problematic effects Zinberg, A sense of normalcy is preserved by avoiding attributions and behaviours seen as risky Hathaway, ; Hathaway et al. Even those who use cannabis medicinally are not left unscathed. Other studies found that while cannabis use was not considered a high priority offense, a fear of potential arrest remained Hathaway et al. However, fear of formal punishment was considered a less direct threat to users than the prospect of disclosure, status loss, or social stigma Johnson et al. This suggests that it is important to distinguish legal risks from stigmatization when considering cannabis-related harms. In this paper, we examine the interplay of drug, set, and setting in the harm reduction methods of older adult cannabis users. While most studies focus on one dimension of cannabis-related harm, our study design allows us to explore a range of health, legal, and social risks. Past research on cannabis use has been limited primarily to adolescents and young adults, although older adults are occasionally included. We focus strictly on adults born in the Baby Boom generation — , a population that is unique because many have experienced the shift in cannabis use from being associated with a deviant subculture to becoming a more normalized part of society, representing a significant change in set and setting. Since the concept of normalization was initially applied to understand drug use by young Britons, there has been a gap in the literature that examines implications of normalization among older adult drug users in the U. Increased understanding of the experiences of older cannabis users may illuminate the future use patterns and use consequences for young adults who continue to use cannabis into older adulthood. Data collection consisted of an audio-recorded, in-depth life history interview, followed by a questionnaire and health survey. We identified and recruited 97 participants in the San Francisco Bay Area with the help of eight key informants who had participated in previous studies and referred potential participants to project staff. We also posted recruitment advertisements on Craigslist 3. We employed chain-referral sampling by asking participants who completed the interview to refer up to three of their friends who were cannabis users. We limited referrals to three in order to ensure our penetration into various social worlds. Participants were pre-screened to help determine eligibility for enrolment into the study sample. To be included, participants self-identified as current users, born between and , and had used cannabis a minimum of 24 times in the prior six-month period. Medical cannabis patients were included in the sample, but since this was not a study of medicinal cannabis per se, they also must have used for other purposes relaxation, partying and met the minimum number of times used in that manner. We excluded potential participants who self-reported problems with or treatment for alcohol or other drugs in the year prior to the interview to ensure participants were primary cannabis users. The ages ranged from 48 to 68 median One aspect of how users controlled their experience and limited cannabis-related harms is how they used the drug. Study participants learned which cannabis derivative and route of administration were likely to produce the intended effects while posing the least dangerous health risks. He noted that misinformation affected his set and what long-term health-risks he should expect:. Many interviewees agreed that the potency of cannabis had risen since they first started smoking. They felt having access to more potent cannabis made it easier to limit consumption since they did not need to use as much to get the desired effect. While some interviewees considered lung damage a long-term risk of using cannabis, they did not report any cases of severe respiratory problems. However, coughing and increased phlegm were the most frequently cited health harms. Some interviewees voiced concerns about inhaling the chemicals from rolling papers and minimized risks by using thinner papers, avoiding flavoured papers, or avoiding joints altogether. Alternative routes of administration included pipes, water pipes, vaporizers, and edibles. Interviewees who vaporized reported reduced respiratory problems and odour. My husband is also a chronic user…. And he has a lot of breathing problems too. The cost of vaporizers was also cited as a deterrent for some participants. Some interviewees reported using cannabis concentrates to smoke less cannabis, or to replace flowers altogether. These products can be smoked, combined with cannabis in joints and other smoking devices, or vaporized. So in oil I always want to test it, any of those clubs that test it, I go by word of mouth and then texture…. The hot process puts a lot of butane in it. Some interviewees reported smoking too much cannabis and feeling dysphoric. In these situations, users suggested sleeping off the high, eating food, or drinking something like coffee or orange juice. It was more common for participants to report edible overdose, including sleepiness, nausea, heart palpitations, anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. A harm reduction method was to learn the dosage necessary to get the expected effect, either through experimentation or procuring labelled edibles. Homemade edibles have varying levels of potency if the ratio of ingredients is not properly measured. Since edibles in medical cannabis dispensaries are labelled with the ingredients, the dosage, and brand names, users get a consistent product. So I have the dosage down…. I ate a half a brownie. Participants recommended a waiting period from 30 minutes to two hours for edibles to take effect. Another aspect of the drug are the different strains of cannabis. Sativa strains produce a mind-effect, comparable to stimulation. Hybrid strains produced by cross-breeding have both indica and sativa properties. Other interviewees were able to name favourite strains e. By understanding what outcomes to expect, some interviewees were able to control the drug by choosing the appropriate strain. Sharon, a 50 year-old caregiver, preferred sativas but her physician suggested she use indicas because it was better for her high blood pressure. Alexandra, a year-old executive assistant, had an experience with indica which led her to favour sativas:. I think it was the indica I was using as well. And you know, decide. Medical cannabis patients had more knowledge about alternative delivery systems. They enjoyed unrestricted access to a wider selection of concentrates and strains, and more information about cannabis than non-patients. You learn! Some dispensaries send their cannabis samples to labs that test for potency, and for contaminants. These types of regulations can give users the necessary information and confidence to control their cannabis use. Managing the drug also involves managing the setting most appropriate for specific types of cannabis, like only smoking indicas at night, and sativas during the day. The indica makes me tired. I just wanna eat, and sleep…. Some participants experienced increased feelings of depression, anxiety, and paranoia when smoking. They noted that they would avoid smoking while depressed, because they feared cannabis would exacerbate depression. If smoking in public, some participants avoided heavily populated areas so they could be discreet. When asked if he ever became paranoid after smoking cannabis, Samuel, a year-old restaurant owner, explained:. Well, maybe when I first started out. You know, that whole people looking at you? Most interviewees avoided anxiety and paranoia by smoking at home in private, and never in the company of strangers. Five participants reported feeling like they had lost control of their cannabis use at some point in their lives. Some users made sure to take a break from cannabis use to lower tolerance and avoid withdrawal symptoms. The majority of participants claimed that withdrawal symptoms were manageable, and they could resist using cannabis. In order to reduce risks of addiction or dependence, participants described managing set and setting by regulating their motivations, and when and where to use. Rick, a year-old IT manager, shared that he made the mistake of wanting to be high for every experience when he was young:. They party with it. Some of my friends get really stupid with it…. Most interviewees had at least a cursory idea of cannabis-related laws, and the majority suggested that policies have relaxed since they were younger. Many were not confident of their understanding of specific restrictions and consequences due to the variations in state, county, and city laws. Participants' perceptions of the punitive consequences for possession of under an ounce ranged from an infraction to a federal offense. A medical cannabis recommendation reduced the anxiety and paranoia that arose from use in public settings. Some reported they felt justified in their overall use of cannabis since their medicinal motivations were legitimized by a doctor. Non-recommended users acknowledged that a recommendation would provide legal protections. Regulatory controls in medical cannabis dispensaries, such as proper labelling of strains and potency, helped users make informed decisions about the type of cannabis to use for desired effects, while minimizing harms. Buying cannabis on the street or from unregulated sources posed health risks such as getting product contaminated with extraneous chemicals, mould, mites, or other drugs. They also risked being robbed. One interviewee experienced a traumatic assault during an underground market transaction, which prompted him to obtain a medical cannabis recommendation. Without other options, users were forced to risk arrest when buying from unregulated sources. Some interviewees expressed desires for medical cannabis because it was considered to be a safer, natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. While the majority of interviewees acknowledged that shifting laws and public attitudes indicated a greater acceptance of cannabis use, many felt it was still stigmatized. When asked what precautions they took to avoid discovery of their cannabis use, the top mentions were to smoke privately at home, cover up evidence by washing hands, using eye drops, brushing teeth and chewing gum, and to not talk about cannabis use in front of certain people. Interviewees provided other examples of how they used the drug based on their evaluation of the legal and social harms inherent to specific settings. Some reported eating edibles as an odourless alternative in settings where smoking was inappropriate e. Interviewees engaged in other practices to reduce exposure, including blowing smoke out the window and burning incense to mask the smell. The majority primarily smoked alone or with their spouse or partner. Social use with peers was less common, and many were cautious about smoking with strangers. Weed, man! Many participants agreed that cannabis use had become more accepted. Susan, a year-old call centre manager, explained that the medical cannabis system seemed to contribute to the normalization of use in general:. While participants acknowledged an ongoing normalization process, they described having to navigate settings of both normalized and stigmatized cannabis use. Interviewees described distinct settings where cannabis was either normalized or stigmatized. Participants perceived communities such as political and religious groups to be more disapproving of cannabis. Victor, a year-old who sells cannabis to dispensaries, explained how he avoided stigmatization by filtering his associates. He also legitimized his use by comparing the effects of cannabis to alcohol:. They were people who got high or people who were non-judgmental. In response to stigma, some interviewees attempted to justify their use by obtaining a medical cannabis recommendation, emphasizing self-control, or comparing cannabis to other drugs. For some, cannabis use negatively affected intimate relationships. One method of reducing the risk of rejection was being straight-forward with potential partners, but hiding use from partners also occurred. A medical cannabis card gave Fred the legitimization he needed to advocate for his cannabis use. Secrecy has as much to do with respect for non-users as it does with avoiding law-enforcement and social disapproval Hathaway, ; Erickson, ; Johnson et al. You just smoke it up…. Even myself…. Part of the process of maturation was to become a more responsible, conscientious, and considerate cannabis user. A commonly reported negative consequence of cannabis use is that it can make you tired. So I generally moderate my usage to a certain level. So I smoke maybe two or three times…. That was fun when I was a kid…. Participants determined which setting was most appropriate so as to not interfere with normal daily functioning. Many were careful only to smoke at night, or when they were free of responsibilities. Some relied on controlled use to make sure they fulfilled their obligations. Based on indicators of normalization Aldridge et al. In the Bay Area, cultural acceptability of cannabis use is rooted in its history as a center for the Beat Generation of the s and the social and cultural movements during the s and s. The first public medical cannabis dispensary in the U. Given this background, the location of our study provided an opportunity to study older adult cannabis users in a normalized context. Most participants had a steady supply of cannabis, and the medical cannabis system increased access, availability, and a broader selection of cannabis products. Interviewees also described increasingly tolerant attitudes of cannabis by non-users. Most participants intended to continue using cannabis in the future. There is also evidence of cultural accommodation of cannabis in recent film, TV, and popular music. In the U. Normalization theory was initially focused on youth, but it is useful for comparison with older adult drug users. Among other implications of a changing workforce and associated changes in the school to work transition, youth today have more time for leisure and shape their identities through leisure-time consumption, but with limited resources. In , U. With the prospect of a longer retirement period and no guarantees for retirement benefits or social security, they are left with limited funds and more leisure-time. Choices regarding cannabis use - how, when, and why they use - are shaped by situational and structural life circumstances. Similarly, the constraining influences of work, parenthood, and marriage decrease as Baby Boomers age. As they approach retirement, their children become independent, some get divorced, work and other life circumstances change. As leisure-time increases, cannabis-related social risks decrease due to fewer responsibilities. Even with more freedom to use cannabis, many participants maintained stable, controlled use patterns that consisted of relatively low quantities of consumption. Interviewees emphasized self-control, characterized by moderated use. Both interpretations of moderation were subjective how much is too much? Control is demonstrated to themselves and others by following cultural norms that define appropriate set and settings for cannabis use. Most participants displayed control and minimized risks in order to maintain social functioning in their roles as parents, partners, employees, and members of other groups e. Controlled use also involved being conscientious about motives for use, and many participants explained how they had changed their approach from when they were younger. Drug use is conceptualized as a temporary phase, but our interviewees revealed that individuals can experience maturation even if they continue use in adulthood. Interviewees described maturation in that: they passed through a phase of heavier illicit drug use and a period in which their lifestyles were more immersed in peer-related drug use, and that patterns of cannabis use changed as life circumstances changed. Deviants present themselves in normification by performing the expected normative behaviours that keep social interactions flowing conforming presentation of self as ordinary. Harm reduction techniques related to identity and role management can be described as normification because users present themselves as normally functioning in their everyday lives Goffman, When a cannabis-user decides not to use at work in order to maintain normal functioning, it can be considered a process of normification by the user. Normalization can only transpire when others accept the stigmatized individual and treat such a person as if they had no stigma Goffman, Participants contributed to the normalization of cannabis use through normificatio n. Their narratives exemplify a life-long process of normalization attempts to be accepted as non-stigmatized through self-regulation and other harm reduction practices that made cannabis use more palatable by reducing risks and increasing positive use outcomes. For example, some were wary of public attitudes outside of California. Even in San Francisco where cannabis use is generally accepted, there was a perception that certain people might not accept it. Participants offered contrasting stories of reactions to disclosure during interactions with health care professionals. Participants had to navigate settings of normalized and stigmatized cannabis use. Scapegoating occurred when users attempted to draw a line between their own safe drug use, and the risky or deviant drug use of others. They accepted the reality of cannabis-related risks, but expressed confidence in their self-regulation. Finally, they compared the risks of using cannabis with what they perceived to be more harmful substances such as alcohol and pharmaceutical medications. These rationalizations enabled users to argue that conventional morality regarding drugs did not apply to cannabis, and to reorganize their moral notions to permit continued use. Participants in our study managed health and social risks with relative ease, but the continued criminalization of cannabis use remained a source of serious potential harm. They considered arrest to be the biggest risk of using cannabis. Medical cannabis users were more likely to recognize cannabis as normalized, versus non-medical users who still risked criminal designations and the stigma of criminal status and involvement in illicit markets. Medical users perceived use as legitimized by doctors, even when they used recreationally, and enjoyed access to more harm reduction tools and education than cannabis users without a recommendation. They were hesitant to seek medical cannabis, or their primary doctors refused to recommend cannabis as therapy. Some doctors refuse to write recommendations because they fear punitive action or simply do not believe in the therapeutic value of cannabis Gieringer, Medical cannabis users existed in a regulated dispensary system where they could choose the correct delivery system, potency, strain, and effects that suited their needs. Users without legal-medical access had significantly less control over their cannabis supply, and may have been unaware of or could not access alternative delivery systems. Cannabis use can no longer be described as marginal or deviant in the sense of denoting membership in a distinctive subculture Mostaghim and Hathaway He states that even though some cannabis users acknowledged normalization, others regarded use as a symbolic marker of difference rather than something normal Sandberg, There was general agreement among our participants on the shifting attitudes towards normalization, but cannabis use was also described as being oppositional to aspects of the dominant culture. Participants described cannabis use in contrast to the loss of control and negative outcomes that were commonly attributed to alcohol use. This perception is important for users and non-users because legalization campaigns, especially in Colorado, emphasize the importance of allowing responsible adults to choose cannabis as a safer alternative to alcohol. Related findings from this study suggest interviewees regarded cannabis as a safer alternative to alcohol, illicit drugs, and pharmaceuticals, and deserve further exploration. If cannabis use continues its process of normalization, it will become more important to understand the symbolic meaning of cannabis use, and how those factors influence perceptions of the drug, use patterns, and practices. Harm reduction efforts are usually focused on high-risk groups, and non-problem users are neglected Hammersley, Interviewees maintained social functioning in conventional roles and activities. Their choice to use cannabis, and subsequent practices used to minimize risks, depended on other life factors. These informal rules are similar to the regulations, etiquette, and practices that have been identified in other studies of controlled cannabis users. Treatment and prevention initiatives should consider how cannabis users perceive and manage risks. Despite media portrayals and government warnings about the deleterious effects cannabis can have on normal functioning, participants found the benefits far outweighed the risks. In fact, the majority reported that they could exercise self-control while experiencing minimal negative outcomes. Interviewees indicated that information about the benefits of cannabis, health risks, vaporizing, the effects of different types and strains, and applicable laws and regulations would be beneficial to them. Findings suggest that the use of water pipes, vaporizers, and edible cannabis as harm reduction methods requires further research. These regulations reduce chances of using the wrong type of cannabis or overdosing, and could benefit non-medical cannabis users as well. Dalgarno and Shewan proposed that if users were thoughtful, well-prepared, and aware of the means and best settings for using cannabis, then the risks can be minimized and the benefits maximized. Potential age, class, race, and gender differences, as well as the role of parenting in use patterns and harm reduction practices also deserve further investigation with a larger representative population-based sample. We want to thank all of the study participants for their time and candor without whom this research project would not be possible. We want to acknowledge the support of Dr. Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. A technique used to enhance THC absorption in the lungs, performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against a closed airway. We use pseudonyms for study participants to protect confidentiality and anonymity. Donald Abrams, M. Abrams received a number of grants from the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and completed a placebo-controlled trial of cannabis in patients with HIV-related painful peripheral neuropathy as well as an investigation of vaporization as a smokeless delivery system. Abrams was a consultant for this project. As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. Int J Drug Policy. Published in final edited form as: Int J Drug Policy. Find articles by Nicholas Lau. Find articles by Paloma Sales. Find articles by Sheigla Averill. Find articles by Fiona Murphy. Find articles by Sye-Ok Sato. Find articles by Sheigla Murphy. Issue date Aug. The publisher's version of this article is available at Int J Drug Policy. Similar articles. Add to Collections. Create a new collection. Add to an existing collection. Choose a collection Unable to load your collection due to an error Please try again. Add Cancel.

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