In times of high anxiety, uncertainty and home quarantine, stocking up on cannabis in legal states seems almost as popular as the worldwide runs on toilet paper. And it seems like a great idea- potentially relaxing nerves while letting you experience your home from a whole new point of reference- especially important if you’re feeling antsy and have counted the ceiling tiles for the upteenth time. Usually a substance shared in communal style however, here are some guidelines for staying both high and safe.

Addressing the surge in cannabis purchases across the country, the National organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has recommended that cannabis users do not share joints until the coronavirus pandemic is over. Although a common social practice, Erik Altieri, executive director of the organization, said that given how the virus is transmitted- by coming into contact with virus-containing droplets from carriers- it would be mindful to temporarily stop this behavior. Similar precautions should also be taken for “bowls, bongs, pipes, vape pens from places like the bong shop" and more.

He said, “Avoid direct sharing and continually keep your personal collection clean, using 90%+ Isopropyl Alcohol is an effective and affordable way to clear any germs or pathogens off your pieces.”

As COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, Alitieri also recommended that some may want to limit or even avoid exposure to combustion smoke as it may cause unnecessary stress to lungs, putting further strain on immune systems. To this end, if it is important to continue taking the substance, he recommended alternative delivery devices and practices such as vaporizer heating devices, as these significantly reduce one’s exposure to combustive smoke, and of course, edibles.

More than this, it is also important to track the origin of any cannabis, particularly as stock from unregulated markets may potentially contain molds, pesticides or other dangerous molecules that could weaken the immune system and perhaps lead to complications. To avoid this, as much as possible, Altieri recommends using lab-tested, regulated products, and to be wary of content labels of oils used for vaping- particularly as vitamin E and other additives are known to be dangerous to the lungs.

Sources: NORML, Independent