What You Need to Know If You’re Traveling to Smoke Legal Marijuana

Study says out-of-state visitors may be more vulnerable to pot’s side effects than locals

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Don’t let your vacation plans go up in smoke: Out-of-towners may be more likely to experience adverse effects of marijuana in states where the drug is legal, finds a new report in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

In the study, researchers saw a spike in Colorado emergency room visits for out-of-state residents after pot was legalized and became more readily available in the state. There was no such increase for Colorado citizens during the same time. 

 

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Chalk it up to what researchers call the “vacation mentality”: When you’re away from the responsibilities of everyday life, your attitude toward marijuana may be more lax—and as a result, you may be more likely to over-consume it, says study author Michael Van Dyke, Ph.D. 

The higher the dose of THC—the chemical that gives marijuana its kick—the higher your risk of experiencing side effects, says study author Andrew A. Monte, M.D. 

A single serving of an edible marijuana product likely impairs your ability to drive, bike, or perform other activities that require concentration, says Van Dyke. Colorado lists 10 milligrams (mg) of THC as a standard dose; edibles should contain dose information on their packages.

You may also feel anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic after consuming marijuana.

Traveling stoners could end up in the hospital because the amount they consume is enough to cause an acute issue—like a car accident or vomiting—or worsen a pre-existing health condition, like chronic bronchitis. 

In people with underlying heart problems, smoking marijuana may even trigger a heart attack, says Dr. Monte. 

Related: The Truth About Medical Marijuana

What You Need to Know Before You Consume Legal Pot

Plan to score some legal weed on vacation? Just take it slow: Ingest less than one serving of edibles (10 mg) and wait at least 90 minutes before consuming more, says Van Dyke. 

Marijuana joints contain approximately 100 mg of THC, but you’re less likely to over-consume while smoking pot than while you’re eating or drinking it. (And yep, you can drink marijuana. One such beverage, Keef Cola, is available for sale in Colorado.) 

Most people don’t smoke a whole joint themselves, says Dr. Monte. And because a joint’s effects take place almost immediately, you’re better able to gauge your dose, he says. 

Related: Snoop Dogg Forced Me to Smoke Weed!

It goes without saying, but pay attention to how marijuana affects your body. It isn’t normal to feel anxiety, paranoia, or heart palpitations, Dr. Monte says.

If you experience any serious side effects, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222, says Dr. Monte. Nurses on the hotline can guide you through your symptoms and determine if you need to visit the ER.

Follow these same guidelines if you’re heading to Alaska, Oregon, or Washington. 

The study results likely apply to any state where a wide variety of recreational marijuana products—including edibles—are legally available, the study authors say.