Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use
When cannabis (marijuana) is enjoyed responsibly, subjecting users to harsh criminal and civil penalties provides no public benefit and causes terrible injustices. For reasons of public safety, public health, economics and justice, the prohibition laws should be repealed to the extent that they criminalize responsible cannabis use.
I. Adults Only
Cannabis consumption is for adults only. It is irresponsible to provide cannabis to children.
Many things and activities are suitable for young people, but others absolutely are not. Children do not drive cars, do not consume alcohol, and they should not consume cannabis. Part of being a responsible cannabis consumer is taking steps to ensure our youth do not get access to cannabis. Our expectation and hope for young people is that they grow up to be responsible adults. Part of that expectation is our obligation to them to demonstrate what that means. (This provision does not apply to the physician supervised and recommended use of medical cannabis by patients of any age.)
II. No Driving
The responsible cannabis consumer does not operate a motor vehicle or other dangerous machinery while impaired by cannabis, nor (like other responsible citizens) while impaired by any other substance or condition, including some medicines and fatigue.
Responsible cannabis consumers never operate motor vehicles in an impaired condition, although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription drugs with motorists it still causes driver impairment. Public safety demands that impaired drivers be taken off the road. For the cannabis consumer who wants to travel consider using public transit such as RTD in Denver/Boulder area or transportation services like Uber and Lyft that offer excellent opportunities for traveling safely.
III. SettingThe responsible cannabis user will carefully consider his/her setting.
The responsible cannabis consumer considers the physical and social circumstances before beginning consumption. The responsible cannabis consumer should be aware of their surroundings — time, place, mood, etc. — and does not hesitate to say "no" when those conditions are not conducive to a safe, pleasant and/or productive experience. As with alcohol there are times and places where consumption is inappropriate and unsafe.
IV. Resist Abuse
Overuse of cannabis, to the extent that it impairs health, personal development or achievement, is abuse, and needs to be resisted by responsible cannabis users.
The responsible cannabis consumer understands that cannabis is harmful when it is abused.
Wars have been waged in the name of eradicating "drug abuse". While these wars have been misguided issues of drug abuse are real. If you choose to consume cannabis, be aware of how cannabis consumption is affecting your life. If cannabis abuse is to be targeted, it is essential that clear standards be developed to identify it.
V. Respect Rights of Others
The responsible cannabis user does not violate the rights of others, observes accepted standards of courtesy and public propriety, and respects the preferences of those who wish to avoid cannabis entirely.
No one may violate the rights of others, and no substance use excuses any such violation. Regardless of the legal status of cannabis, responsible users should adhere to emerging tobacco smoking protocols in public and private places.
VI. Responsible Edible Consumption
The responsible cannabis consumer does not overindulge and waits an appropriate amount of time before continuing consumption.
A single serving marijuana edible contains 5-10mgs of THC. Because of a variety of physiological and psychological factors cannabis edibles affects people at different times and different intensities. A responsible cannabis consumer should wait at least 2 hours for the full effects to be felt before ingesting more. Additionally a responsible cannabis consumer keeps track of his/her edibles as these can be mistaken for food and keeps them in a secure place to prevent accidental consumption by children, pets, or adults who do not want to consume cannabis.
VII. Don't mix Cannabis and Alcohol
The responsible cannabis consumer does not consume cannabis and alcohol together.
A responsible cannabis consumer understands that mixing cannabis and alcohol can intensify the effects of both. Mixing these intoxicants, much like mixing prescription drugs, can have dangerous and unintended consequences.
I. Adults Only
Cannabis consumption is for adults only. It is irresponsible to provide cannabis to children.
Many things and activities are suitable for young people, but others absolutely are not. Children do not drive cars, do not consume alcohol, and they should not consume cannabis. Part of being a responsible cannabis consumer is taking steps to ensure our youth do not get access to cannabis. Our expectation and hope for young people is that they grow up to be responsible adults. Part of that expectation is our obligation to them to demonstrate what that means. (This provision does not apply to the physician supervised and recommended use of medical cannabis by patients of any age.)
II. No Driving
The responsible cannabis consumer does not operate a motor vehicle or other dangerous machinery while impaired by cannabis, nor (like other responsible citizens) while impaired by any other substance or condition, including some medicines and fatigue.
Responsible cannabis consumers never operate motor vehicles in an impaired condition, although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription drugs with motorists it still causes driver impairment. Public safety demands that impaired drivers be taken off the road. For the cannabis consumer who wants to travel consider using public transit such as RTD in Denver/Boulder area or transportation services like Uber and Lyft that offer excellent opportunities for traveling safely.
III. SettingThe responsible cannabis user will carefully consider his/her setting.
The responsible cannabis consumer considers the physical and social circumstances before beginning consumption. The responsible cannabis consumer should be aware of their surroundings — time, place, mood, etc. — and does not hesitate to say "no" when those conditions are not conducive to a safe, pleasant and/or productive experience. As with alcohol there are times and places where consumption is inappropriate and unsafe.
IV. Resist Abuse
Overuse of cannabis, to the extent that it impairs health, personal development or achievement, is abuse, and needs to be resisted by responsible cannabis users.
The responsible cannabis consumer understands that cannabis is harmful when it is abused.
Wars have been waged in the name of eradicating "drug abuse". While these wars have been misguided issues of drug abuse are real. If you choose to consume cannabis, be aware of how cannabis consumption is affecting your life. If cannabis abuse is to be targeted, it is essential that clear standards be developed to identify it.
V. Respect Rights of Others
The responsible cannabis user does not violate the rights of others, observes accepted standards of courtesy and public propriety, and respects the preferences of those who wish to avoid cannabis entirely.
No one may violate the rights of others, and no substance use excuses any such violation. Regardless of the legal status of cannabis, responsible users should adhere to emerging tobacco smoking protocols in public and private places.
VI. Responsible Edible Consumption
The responsible cannabis consumer does not overindulge and waits an appropriate amount of time before continuing consumption.
A single serving marijuana edible contains 5-10mgs of THC. Because of a variety of physiological and psychological factors cannabis edibles affects people at different times and different intensities. A responsible cannabis consumer should wait at least 2 hours for the full effects to be felt before ingesting more. Additionally a responsible cannabis consumer keeps track of his/her edibles as these can be mistaken for food and keeps them in a secure place to prevent accidental consumption by children, pets, or adults who do not want to consume cannabis.
VII. Don't mix Cannabis and Alcohol
The responsible cannabis consumer does not consume cannabis and alcohol together.
A responsible cannabis consumer understands that mixing cannabis and alcohol can intensify the effects of both. Mixing these intoxicants, much like mixing prescription drugs, can have dangerous and unintended consequences.