Responsibility Grows Here

Don’t Ruin Someone Else’s Chill

People around you have a right to fresh air, so never light up in a public space. Not only is it against the law, but you’re also exposing people to unwanted secondhand smoke — not cool. Instead, remember that it’s perfectly legal to smoke in your own home or on your own property. Just keep in mind that property owners, landlords, and rental companies can ban the use and possession of cannabis on their premises.

Take an Edible? Take it Easy

Did you know it can take up to four hours for an edible to take effect? While it can be tempting to go in for another one while you’re waiting for a high to hit, just chill out and have some patience. Using too much can lead to anxiety, hallucinations, and paranoia — not a fun time. The standard serving size is 10 mg of THC, so don’t take more than that to start. Edibles can have a different effect depending on how often you use cannabis.

Pro Tip: Keep Your Stash Safe and Sound, Invest in a Lockbox

Kids, pets, or even curious visitors can get into cannabis if it’s not locked up and out of sight. It’s always best to keep cannabis in the child-resistant packaging from the retailer and invest in a safe or lockbox to ensure the only person who can get to your cannabis is you. Because even as your kids get older, it’s important to keep your stash locked away safe and sound.

Alcohol and Bud Don’t Mix

Using cannabis and alcohol at the same time can impair you more than using either one alone. It’s never a good idea to use them together. Also, if you’re taking prescription drugs, be sure to ask your doctor if it’s safe to use cannabis.

Don’t Test Your Limits

Whether you’re trying cannabis for the first time or you’re an old pro, there is such a thing as too much cannabis. That’s why it’s important to understand how cannabis affects you and know your limits. Signs that you’ve had too much can include extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fast heart rate, delusions or hallucinations, increased blood pressure, and severe nausea or vomiting. Not a good time.

If you’re new to cannabis and are unsure how it will affect you, start with a low dose. Dabbing and hash oil products use highly concentrated THC with a potency of up to 80% and shouldn’t be used by anyone who hasn’t used cannabis in the past.

Pro Tip: Never Drive Under the Influence

Driving while you’re under the influence of cannabis is illegal and dangerous to yourself and others on Sonoma County roads. You can be charged with a DUI and are subject to the same penalties as driving drunk. Under California cannabis laws, you can’t drive if you have five nanograms or more of THC in your system. Make the right choice by planning to wait several hours if you’re going to drive. So, if you’re smoking, wait six hours before driving. If you’re having edibles, wait eight hours.

Keep it in California

Even though marijuana is legal in California, it’s illegal to take or mail it out of state. Don’t mess around, just keep it here. Carrying cannabis is also banned at all California airports, so if you’re visiting make sure you have properly thrown away any cannabis before you leave. When getting rid of cannabis, use a secured container and place it in a safe place that’s out of reach from children. Never leave cannabis in hotel rooms or rental cars because you could be charged additional fees, or it could fall into the hands of a minor.

Sharing is Not Caring

Not only is sharing cannabis with people under 21 against the law, but it can also hurt their health, get them in trouble, and put their future goals at risk. You could be charged with a felony if you share with anyone underage, even if they’re family members or friends.

We’re In This Together

Next time you light up, consider how your actions impact others, and always follow all California cannabis laws. Remember these tips and commit to using cannabis responsibly, so we can all build a culture where responsible use is the only use.