Smoking weed is somewhat complicated legally since every state in the United States has its own laws, and each country around the world has its own legalities, as well. The good news is that the legality of weed is spreading across the world. If marijuana is legal in your area, or you are visiting somewhere where it is legal, there are a few things you should know.
Medical versus Recreational
The first thing to know is the difference between medical and recreational marijuana use. This is a straightforward but important distinction since some jurisdictions have legalized only medical marijuana while others have legalized all cannabis.
In areas with medical marijuana, it is only legal to smoke or possess weed if you have a medical marijuana license. The requirements to obtain that license may vary, but they always involve some sort of doctor recommendation or approval. In these areas, you cannot legally buy or use cannabis without that license, regardless of your age.
Areas with recreational marijuana have legalized cannabis use for all adults. There will be a minimum age for consumption, either 18 or 21 in most cases. Everyone over this age will be able to legally consume, buy, and possess marijuana.
Potential Restrictions When Weed Is Legal
Just because weed is legal in a given area, this does not mean that you can smoke or possess as much as you want. There will still likely be multiple restrictions in place on possession, purchase, and use.
Age of Use
As mentioned, there will be some sort of restriction as to how old someone must be to legally consume marijuana. In the United States, most states that have legalized marijuana do so at 21 years old, just like alcohol. This can vary in other countries, with 18 being another potential minimum age.
Amount to Buy
In some cases, there are restrictions as to how much marijuana you can buy at a time. Not all states will have this type of restriction since it will likely already be covered by a limit on the amount you can have in your possession.
Amount to Have in Possession
It is safe to assume that if a jurisdiction has legalized marijuana, there will be a restriction as to how much an individual can possess at once. In Colorado, for example, adults can only possess an ounce at a time.
Number of Plants to Grow
Some areas with legal marijuana will allow adults to grow their own plants, while others will not. If you are legally allowed to grow marijuana in your area, expect there to be a limit as to how many plants you can have. Using Colorado as an example again, each adult can grow six plants, but a single residence cannot have more than 12 plants, regardless of the occupancy.
Restrictions on Sales and Gifts
There may also be some sort of restriction on the sale of weed as well as the ability to gift it. Once again looking at Colorado, the maximum you can gift a person is an ounce. The sales restrictions may also include additional taxes, something you should be prepared to pay.
Where to Buy
Additionally, most states that allow for legal cannabis will have restrictions as to where you can legally buy it. This usually has to be done at a registered dispensary, as this lets the government provide oversight.
Public Use
You should not assume that just because marijuana is legal in a certain area, you can smoke it in public. Many states and jurisdictions that legalize it will only do so in the privacy of your own home. This means that you can smoke cannabis at home but cannot take it out in public, like you
would with a cigarette.
A Quick Overview of Legalization History in the United States
Historically, marijuana was legal around the world and commonly used for a range of health benefits. During the beginning of the 20th century, this started changing. Twenty-nine states in the United States banned marijuana between 1916 and 1931. In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act made it illegal across the country. In 1970, the Controlled Substance Act put marijuana in the category with the highest restrictions.
Oregon decriminalized marijuana in 1973 but did not make it legal. California was the first state to take steps towards legalizing marijuana in the United States. In 1996, medical marijuana became legal. The next major step forward in weed legalization was in 2012 when both Colorado and Washington state legalized it for recreational use.
Current Legalization Status in the United States
Currently, weed is illegal at the federal level in the United States. However, each state has the right to legalize consumption within its boundaries. As of the time of writing, marijuana is legal for medical use in 33 states and legal for recreational use in 11 states, as well as Washington, D.C.
States with legal medical marijuana only include:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- West Virginia
The following states have legalized recreational marijuana:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Illinois (as of 2020)
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
Both lists will likely continue to expand in the following years.
Weed Is Legal in Canada
As of this year, marijuana is legal in Canada for recreational use. The country still has restrictions in place, including a limit of possessing 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent. Example equivalents include 50 grams of a liquid product of 5 grams of cannabis that is fresh.
Despite the legalization of marijuana across Canada at the federal level, the country still allows each province to create its own laws. This means that some areas of the country may have additional restrictions. It is also still illegal to cross the border with cannabis.
An Overview of International Legalization
Since every country has its own laws, you should familiarize yourself with those of your destination country before you travel. As a quick overview, the following were the laws regarding legal weed in various countries as of 2019.
- Belize: It is legal to have up to 10 grams on private property.
- Costa Rica: Using it is illegal, but you can possess small amounts designed just for personal use.
- Ecuador: It is legal to have less than 10 grams for recreational use.
- Italy: Medical marijuana is legal.
- Mexico: Banning recreational use was found unconstitutional, but the laws have not changed. You can possess up to 5 grams legally.
- Panama: Marijuana is illegal.
- Portugal: Marijuana is legal, with only medical users allowed to possess more than 5 grams.
- Spain: Recreational use is illegal but rarely prosecuted. Recreational use is legal in Catalonia.
- Thailand: It is legal for medical use only.
- Uruguay: Recreational marijuana is legal.
- Vietnam: It is illegal.
Always Confirm Laws Before Using
If you plan to travel to a state or country with legal marijuana or live in one of these jurisdictions, you should always do your research and confirm the legality before smoking. The laws on weed are in a constant state of flux around the world, so you may not necessarily hear about changes to
them.
Additionally, you want to confirm that you follow any restrictions related to legal marijuana use, such as how much you can possess.
How to Smoke Weed
After you have confirmed that it is legal to use weed in your current location, you can get ready to use it. If you have not previously used weed, then this may be intimidating. Luckily, consuming it is straightforward, and there are numerous resources to assist you.
Talk to Your Dispensary
The first step should always be to head to your local dispensary. This will be a legal location to buy weed, and you should be able to trust the quality of the marijuana. Additionally, the dispensary staff can provide you with advice. They can let you know if a particular strain is appropriate for your experience level or which strains produce the effects that you want from marijuana.
Smoking Cannabis with a Pipe
One of the most common ways to consume marijuana is to smoke the flower via a pipe. This lets you inhale the vapor from the flower. Pipes usually have bowls, carb holes, and mouthpieces. To use this method, grind cannabis and put it in the bowl. Cover the carb hole using a finger and hold the pipe. Slowly light the marijuana in the bowl while the mouthpiece is by your lips. Inhale when the flame touches the flower. Take your finger off the carb hole when you have the ideal hit size.
Smoking Cannabis with a Bong
Bongs typically have slides or bowls, mouthpieces, and downstems. They may be more intricate at times or feature carb holes, in which case you use them as you would a pipe. Start this type of use by packing the bowl. Put your mouth by the mouthpiece and light the cannabis, then start
inhaling. Pull the slide from the bong when you have your hit size, like you would remove your finger from a pipe’s carb hole.
Smoking Cannabis with a Joint
One of the simplest ways to consume cannabis is via a blunt or joint. The rolling process can be challenging, but if it is already rolled, you just need to light the joint and then inhale. Just make sure you roast every side evenly, as this ensures consistent burnout. Once you light it, place the end that is not lit to your mouth, then inhale.
Vaping Cannabis
The option of vaping cannabis is growing in popularity as its technology advances. Instead of combusting the cannabis like the previous methods, vaping relies on lower heat to create vapor from the cannabis flower. You can find portable vaporizers, desktop ones, and those in between.
Each vaporizer will work slightly differently, so you should always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Desktop vaporizers typically have bowls, whips, and heating elements or boxes. Start using these by turning on the vaporizer’s heating element. Once it is hot enough, put your packed bowl over it and wait a few seconds. Put your mouth on the end of the mouthpiece or whip and inhale. Do not expect much or any smoke.
Portable vaporizers are incredibly diverse, but you typically start by loading a bowl. Turn on the heating element, let it heat up, and either inhale or press the button to begin the hit. You just bring the mouthpiece into place and inhale, possibly hitting a button.
Consuming Cannabis with Edibles
As long as you are not the one preparing them, consuming cannabis in edibles is the most straightforward method of doing so. You just eat the food or drink the drink and will get the effects of cannabis.
Dabbing Cannabis
Another option is to consume a cannabis concentrate, which is most popularly done via dabbing. This involves touching the concentrate onto a surface that is heated. You then inhale the vapor that gets produced.
Inhaling Concentrates via Pens
Another popular method of inhaling cannabis concentrate is via a pen. You may have to load the chamber or may have a preloaded cartridge. You just press the button on the pen’s battery and inhale. This is a popular option for its simplicity.
Conclusion
If you live in an area with legal weed or plan on visiting one, then you will want to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws before you start using cannabis. Their specifics vary by location, including such things as how much you can possess and whether you can grow it.
To maximize your safety when consuming cannabis and ensure you follow local laws, try to buy it from a dispensary. From there, you will have multiple methods of using cannabis to choose from, including bongs, pipes, joints, vaporizers, and concentrates. If you have any doubts, the dispensary should be glad to help you choose the appropriate weed product.