Marijuana harm reduction

Harm reduction tips

Try to reduce how often and how much you use.
Using marijuana with alcohol or other drugs can increase risks.
Avoid unregulated products that may be laced with other substances.
Never drive while under the influence.

Seeking help

Share your concerns with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor.
Many organizations, like SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP), offer free, confidential support.
Join a peer support group or find new activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Help a friend

Approach them with care and without judgment.
Share information about resources and offer to support them in seeking help.
Be patient and understanding – change takes time.

- Barrington-Trimis, J. L., Cho, J., Ewusi-Boisvert, E., Hasin, D., Unger, J. B., Miech, R. A., & Leventhal, A. M. (2020). Risk of persistence and progression of use of 5 cannabis products after experimentation among adolescents. JAMA Network Open, 3(1), e1919792. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.19792
- CDC. (2021, September 10). What we know about marijuana. Www.cdc.gov; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/what-we-know.html
- Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Marijuana/Cannabis. DEA. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Marijuana-Cannabis-2020_0.pdf
- Hasin, D. S., Saha, T. D., Kerridge, B. T., Goldstein, R. B., Chou, S. P., Zhang, H., Jung, J., Pickering, R. P., Ruan, W. J., Smith, S. M., Huang, B., & Grant, B. F. (2015). Prevalence of marijuana use disorders in the United States between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(12), 1235. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1858
- National Institutes of Health. (2022, August 22). Marijuana and hallucinogen use among young adults reached all-time high in 2021. National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/marijuana-hallucinogen-use-among-young-adults-reached-all-time-high-2021
- Nierengarten, M. B. (2016). Dabbling in “dabbing”: A potent new delivery system for cannabis poses heightened risks for adolescents who use marijuana. Contemporary Pediatrics, 33(2), 34–36. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A446292442/AONE?u=oregon_oweb&sid=googleScholar&xid=b2592d0a
- Patel, J., & Marwaha, R. (2019). Cannabis use disorder. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/
- Roehler, D. R. (2023). Cannabis-involved emergency department visits among persons aged <25 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic — United States, 2019–2022. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(28). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7228a1
- SAMHSA. (2023, February 27). Know the risks of marijuana. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana
- Serkalem, M. (n.d.). Medical marijuana poisoning in kids. www.poison.org. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.poison.org/articles/medical-marijuana
- Wang, G. S., Roosevelt, G., & Heard, K. (2013). Pediatric marijuana exposures in a medical marijuana state. JAMA Pediatrics, 167(7), 630. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.140