What is Marijuana?
- Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that can be used recreationally or medicinally. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active component of marijuana.
- It has stimulant and hallucinogenic qualities. (See stimulant and hallucinogen blocks).
- Note: Not all marijuana is acquired the same - purchasing from a dispensary or other official establishment is safer than other sources.
What Can Lead to a Marijuana Overdose?
- Overuse of marijuana
- Marijuana is a stimulant. Since stimulants and depressants can mask each other’s effects, one may end up taking in too much stimulant, resulting in a stimulant or depressant overdose.
- Marijuana can be consumed in edibles. Edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, thus it can be easy to accidentally consume too much and overdose. Additionally, the effect of edibles is stronger than smoking marijuana.
- Always keep in mind the THC concentration: too much can lead to overdose.
- An overdose of marijuana is not likely to result in death, though one can suffer severe impairment or experience changes in behavior that can cause death.
What Are Signs of a Marijuana Overdose?
- Dizziness and trouble walking
- Bloodshot eyes
- Acting silly for no reason
- Feelings of confusion, nervousness, and distress
- High blood pressure and heart rate
- Vomiting and nausea
- Difficulty with memory and hallucinations
How Can You Help?
- Call 911 and get medical attention immediately
- Keep watch over the person, tracking heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and body temperature
- Keep the person awake and conscious until help arrives
- Keep the person cool (such as with ice or cool compresses)
- Bring them to a safe place and keep them calm
- Make sure they don’t drive/bike