the LEISURE issue
Cannabis, Consumption &COVID-19 A changing world confronts a growing industry
34
We all have our preferred method of Cannabis consumption. Whether it be vaping, dabbing, smoking, eating edibles or anything in between, it’s a ritualistic part of how many of us conduct our daily lives. If I could choose, I would spend most of my days smoking that sweet, sticky ganja - choosing the perfect strain, picking out the best looking nugs, rolling it up in my favorite papers, and inhaling that smoky, aromatic goodness that cleanses the soul. Well, that was until coronavirus hit the globe and turned the entire world upside down, forcing us to take a good look in the mirror and reflect on how current actions impact future health.
aklEAF.COM
T
he Cannabis industry is fortunate enough to be deemed an essential business in legal states. Though sales have been generally steady across Cannabis companies - with some businesses seeing record numbers - the industry isn’t immune to having to adapt. Farms are limiting the number of trimmers and laborers. Distributors are also limiting staff, wiping equipment, engaging in remote sales and keeping contact to a minimum. Dispensaries are limiting the number of customers allowed in stores, sanitizing as much as possible and offering curbside delivery. These act as a strong first line of defense against the virus, but what else can the Cannabis community do to mitigate risk? From what we know about COVID-19 thus far, it mainly affects the respiratory system leaving those who smoke or have difficulty breathing feeling uneasy regarding the potential for greater risk.
JUNE 2020
Tinctures are highly effective because they’re Though there haven’t been many studies on already activated and fast acting compared how coronavirus and Cannabis are specifically to other methods. Just a few drops under the related, we can look at the emerging data that tongue and the Cannabis is absorbed directanalyzes traditional tobacco and e-cigarette use ly into the bloodstream without having to go in conjunction with COVID-19. through the lungs, stomach or liver. Tinctures There have been multiple studies linking any generally come in a liquid form with a dropper traditional cigarette and e-cigarette use to an to measure dosage, though tincture capsules increased likelihood of developing respiratory isare gaining popularity due to the lack of taste. sues if infected. According to a recent study lead Edibles are typically preferred over tinctures beby Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for cause they taste better due to being paired with Tobacco Control Research and Education at the sweet or savory foods. Though edibles normally University of California San Francisco, current taste great, they’re not as effective as tinctures. smokers more than double their odds of disease Edibles are absorbed via the stomach lining progression if affected with COVID-19. and liver, so they are not directly entering the This means that many Cannabis users are bloodstream and could take anywhere from 30 putting themselves at risk every time they spark minutes to two hours to take effect. The best adup that joint or take that fat dab. vice for figuring out edibles is to start slow, even Globally, humans are realizing that coronaif you think it isn’t hitting yet. You can always eat virus has changed some aspects of daily life more, but you can’t eat less. maybe permanently. Cannabis is no Some people prefer dispensary different. Knowing the consequences IT WAS ALL FUN products because they are tested, smoking and vaping have on the respiratory system, there needs to be AND GAMES BEFORE, professionally made and ready to be consumed straight from the package, a fundamental shift in the way we BUT THE LAST FEW thus making them generally safer and view Cannabis and its relationship to more accurate. our body. MONTHS HAVE Making products at home requires The Cannabis industry has long research, product knowledge and focused on flower and combustion CHANGED HOW availability. There are many ways to inhalation as the favored method of create your own products and hunconsumption. How many videos do WE NEED TO VIEW dreds, if not thousands, of articles onwe see on social media that glorify line that can help consumers navigate hot dab coughs or choking out from CANNABIS GOING the new world of homemade consuma fat blunt? It was all fun and games ables. Nothing is more satisfying than FORWARD. before, but the last few months have creating and eating your own infused changed how we need to view Canhomemade pie. Turns out, you can have your nabis going forward. Cannabis and eat it, too. To safely consume Cannabis in a way that’s As a community and as an essential business, still effective, we need to bypass the lungs it’s our responsibility to evaluate the risks and entirely or at least minimize smoking, as a way rewards of Cannabis in this new world. And the to mitigate risk. The most common ways to conway we view Cannabis and its relationship to the sume Cannabis minus the smoke is by ingesting body must adapt, for better and for worse. tinctures and edibles.
