We are amidst a global pandemic and navigating life through it has fundamentally changed how we approach social situations. In fact, our normal routines have also changed and we are more concerned about our health than we have ever been in our lives. Among many concerns is one that questions the safety of marijuana users.
Since marijuana businesses were deemed essential, sales spiked and people binge bought cannabis. However, questions regarding marijuana use and safety started to crop up as early as the first week of April 2020. And since then more and more people want to learn whether it is safe to smoke cannabis during the pandemic or not. So, in this post, we will help you find the answer to your question. Read on to find out.
Is It Safe To Smoke Cannabis During The Pandemic?
To be honest, it is not safe to smoke cannabis during the pandemic. The reason being that the coronavirus is a respiratory illness. It affects the respiratory tracts and the lungs at large. And from the reports emerging lately, it is safe to say that most people who smoke are at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus. One such report or to be precise a study revealed that exposing lungs to harmful substances such as smoke can cause the lungs to weaken. This means that the more y smoke the fewer chances you have at recovering from the respiratory illness known as the COVID-19 virus.
The study went on to say that marijuana when lighted along with tobacco goes through the process of combustion. This process leads to the release of certain chemicals. And these chemicals are irritants that cause damage to both the lungs and the respiratory tract. In fact, if you smoke cannabis regularly, your lungs could suffer from severe inflammation. The same can lead to medical conditions like chronic bronchitis and increase the levels of mucus inside your body. Also, in the worst-case scenarios, regular smoking can put you at the risk of lung cancer. All in all, smoking is not the best option when we’re surrounded by a deadly virus.
Although you also have to keep in mind that cannabis smoking is very different from normal tobacco smoking. In another study, it was shown that the side effects of cannabis are short term. This is to say that if you smoke cannabis, it might lead to short-term irritation and inflammation. In contrast, the effects of normal smoking are more severe than cannabis smoking.
What Is Wrong With Cannabis Smoking?
Recently a concrete study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study analyzed the data of coronavirus patients in China. The study went on to say that patients with smoking history were more susceptible to suffer from the side effects of the coronavirus than the ones who did not smoke. In fact, smoking was identified as one of the major reasons why patients with coronavirus suffer from severe infections.
Furthermore, let us help you understand how the coronavirus interacts with the human body. First and foremost, you need to learn that the virus attaches itself to the natural receptors of the human body. Those natural receptors are scientifically termed as ACE-2. If you smoke cannabis regularly, the process will cause the expression of the enzymes to increase. Increased expressions mean that your body will not respond to the antibodies that help curb the spread of the virus inside the body. Perhaps the reason why mainstream doctors suggest that people should quit smoking, especially when we are threatened by a respiratory illness.
Alternative Consumption Methods
I am not asking you to quit cannabis completely, but this blog is here to help you select a safer method of consumption. For instance, patients who take cannabis for medicinal purposes can switch to alternative methods. You can bake cannabis edibles or consume drops of CBD oil. Not only this but you can also make tables, apply tinctures, and ointments to help provide relief from the symptoms of a specific medical condition. This way you will be able to hit two birds with one stone. First, you can treat your condition properly, and second, you will not fall under the category of individuals who can contract the virus easily.
In addition to this, you have to keep a few things in mind. For example, social distancing is the key to fight the coronavirus. So, make sure you do not share cannabis with anyone because we all know that sharing is a cannabis consumption culture. Also, it is a good idea to sanitize the package every time it arrives at your doorstep. After all, the virus can survive on surfaces like plastic for 3-4 days. It can live on cardboard for 24 hours and on copper for four hours. This is why it is essential to wash and sanitize everything before use. More vitally, you have to make sure that you are washing your hands regularly.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Besides general sanitization practices, you also have to make sure that you are not walking up to a dispensary on a regular basis. You can either choose to pick your package through curbside pickups or stock up on cannabis and use it wisely. In fact, you can also check with dispensaries providing delivery services. This way you don’t have to move out of the house and you stay miles away from the risk of contracting the virus. This is to say that prevention will help you stay healthy and you can safely consume cannabis within the confines of your house.
Interestingly, most people who choose to consume cannabis during these crucial times, choose to purchase from convenient places. However, convenience does not mean that you will receive the best quality cannabis. The reason why most cannabis experts suggest that you should choose to purchase products from trustworthy sources. This way you will get products that are of high quality and more vitally safe to use.
Final Thoughts
Smoking is not a wise option. So, use your medical cannabis card wisely and consult 420 doctors before using marijuana for medical conditions. For people who are looking forward to relaxing with the help of cannabis can choose the best flowers from licensed state dispensaries. Also, don’t forget to check-in with your state laws. If they allow the use of marijuana you can easily purchase any product you want for private consumption.