What is cannabis?
| Is also referred to as marijuana or weed |
| Consists of the dried leaves, flowers, and seeds of the cannabis plant |
| Contains THC, a chemical that alters perception and makes a person feel “high” |
| Can be smoked, consumed as an edible, or brewed as tea |
Know the law
Laws on cannabis vary from community to community and from state to state.
- Missouri: As of December 2022, recreational possession of up to 3 ounces of cannabis by those over 21 is legal in the state of Missouri.
- WashU: Recreational and medicinal cannabis is not permitted on Washington University’s campuses:
- Federal law prohibits the use, possession, or cultivation of cannabis
- WashU receives federal funds and complies with federal regulations
If cannabis is legal in Missouri, is it safe to use?
| Newly legalized in some places, doesn’t mean it is safe |
| May help relieve some medical symptoms, but can also cause problems depending on how it is used. |
| More questions than answers, especially regarding health risks |
If you smoke/use cannabis, consider taking some steps to reduce your risk:
- Plan a safe ride: impairment can last 6+ hours.
- Use a trusted source
- See Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services licensed dispensaries that are subject to regulations to help ensure consumer safety
- Avoid mixing cannabis with other substances
- If you notice you need more cannabis to feel the same affects you used to feel, consider taking a tolerance break to reset your tolerance
- Newer to cannabis?
- For edibles, start with a dose of less than 2.5mg THC and for smoking/vaping choose products with less than 10% THC
- Go slow with edibles
- It can take 30-120 minutes to feel the effects
- Wait to feel the effects before consuming more
- It is recommended for all individuals who smoke/consume cannabis to stick to low THC products and limit frequency to occasional (1-2 days a week or less).
Some effects of using cannabis
| Short-term effects: feelings of relaxation, euphoria, slowed thinking and reaction time, and impaired coordination |
| Long-term effects: memory loss, shortened attention span, depression, anxiety, decreased immune functioning, risk of psychosis (higher risk with regular use of high potency cannabis), and lung damage (for smoking) |
| Effects on brain development: The human brain is still developing into our early to mid-20s. The use of any drug can hurt brain development. Parts of the brain might not develop the way they are supposed to if a young adult partakes in cannabis. |
Calling for help
If too much cannabis is consumed, a person may experience anxiety, paranoia, confusion, convulsions, chest pain, and temporary psychosis.
| Off campus, call 911 |
| On campus, call EST at (314) 935-5555 |
| WashU’s medical amnesty policy to reduces barriers to calling for help |
Recognizing a problem
Some people that use cannabis may develop a dependence
Campus resources
Other resources
Looking for support in taking a tolerance break?
Check out this guide from the University of Vermont |
| For information about other substance use, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse |