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You are: The Alchemist

Illustration of an alchemist looking at a clipboard with lab equipment, mortar and pestle and flask in the background

When it comes to cannabis, you’re a quick study and naturally curious. “What if we add a little of this or a dash of that?” But your friends aren’t always as adventurous. Sometimes your desire for something new goes too far for some of your friends. Your love of trying new things sometimes overshadows the voice reminding you to slow down or cut back.

  • You’re collecting quite the chemistry set of oils, liquids, and devices. 
  • There’s a double-boiler under the cabinet and your friends hear you use words like “decarboxylated”. 
  • Your Google search history probably includes the term “microdosing”.

You haven’t been using cannabis very long, but things seem to be escalating quickly—which totally tracks with your tendency to dive into the deep end. Unfortunately, this has led to some questionable scenarios obtaining or mixing risky substances, or crossing the line outside your comfort zone. 

Tips for safer experiences

Consider these tips to keep yourself and others safe.

  • Don’t trust everything you read on the Internet.
  • Remember cannabis’ effects fall on a spectrum, and your experience will be different from someone else’s.
  • If it’s totally new to you, try a smaller amount first. And don’t be afraid to tell someone “That’s all for now, thanks.”
  • Remember that cannabis smoke contains toxins, and avoid smoking tobacco at the same time.
  • Long inhalations aren’t necessary—in fact, they can be a little dangerous. Shallow and slow FTW.
  • Edibles can taste yummy, but their effects are slow to notice. So moderate yourself and don’t eat the entire tin of brownies all at once, okay?
  • Be someplace safe. Don’t smoke in a car or someplace you can’t sleep it off.
  • Remember to slow down, breathe in…breathe out…
  • Be careful when inhaling or ingesting mixed powders, oils, hashes, and unfamiliar substances.
  • Listen to your friends and respect their desire to slow down sometimes.
  • Practice ways to hang out with others that don’t involve weed all the time. You’ll be a more interesting person for it.
  • Do the right thing if a friend seems in serious medical trouble. Call 911 immediately, tell the operator what happened, and monitor them closely until help arrives.

Alcohol and Other Drugs resources

  • Division of Student Affairs

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