A compact guide to the new world of marijuana for older adults

Baby Boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, are making a return to marijuana and are known as the “Boomeranger”. If you are, you are probably allowing yourself to enjoy old and new ways of using cannabis, both for leisure and for treating pain, anxiety, and insomnia. But today’s cannabis products are undoubtedly stronger than the weaker “weed” you may have experimented with in your younger years.

Aside from exercising caution to avoid potential anxiety, paranoia, or physical instability, plan your cannabis experiments when you are free from other commitments and comfortable in your comfortably prepared environment. Again, this may sound obvious, but it is always recommended for those who have taken a long hiatus to avoid overconsuming the first time in a crowded environment like a concert.

Photo by Darrin Harris Frisby / Drug Policy Alliance

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Entering a pharmacy in a legalized state can be like entering a candy store. Find a quality pharmacy with a knowledgeable budtender who speaks the new cannabis language and can guide you through the wide range of options and options available to consume the plant.

It helps to know what effects you want to experience and which ones you want to avoid. “Indica” strains are often found to be physically calming, ideal for relaxing or before bed. “Sativa” strains tend to produce invigorating, uplifting cerebral effects that combine well with physical activity, social gatherings, and creative endeavors. “Hybrids” are a mixture of both.

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• flower refers to the actual green bud of the marijuana plant that can be consumed in a pipe, bong, or joint. Most pharmacies conveniently sell pre-rolled joints.
• Evaporator Instead of burning the cannabis, rather use lower heat to generate steam from the flower before inhaling it. Portable vaporizers, which come in all shapes and sizes, have become popular for their ease of use, portability, and discretion.
• Concentrate pens or Vape pens have preloaded cannabis extract. They come in many flavors and offer different experience benefits.
• Edibles are an alternative to smoking or vaping, and the variety of goodies is endless. Pay attention to the dosage; You can always take more, but you cannot take less. There are food-based treats as well as sublingual edibles like juices, tinctures, and lozenges.
• Concentrates, which can be much stronger than flowers, are best in small doses. Methods of consuming concentrates include dabbing or applying topical, non-psychoactive lotions that provide beneficial cannabinoids.

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Metabolism slows down as you get older, so you may feel high for longer. It is also important to consider current medications; Xanax or Valium can interact with marijuana to cause intense lethargy, and mixing it with Prozac can cause irritability and restlessness.

Marijuana is contraindicated for those with heart disease, so consult your doctor before consuming cannabis products.