If you’re a cannabis experience enthusiast or fan in Australia, you need to understand the ins and outs of the green herb, its products and accessories.
The Australian cannabis industry is vastly growing. Although it is still in its early years of development, a lot is happening that you need to know about cannabis across various states and territories in the country.
Is cannabis legal in Australia?
Australia is one of the countries that have legalized medicinal cannabis. In 2016, the federal government passed a legislation to allow production, importation and consumption of cannabis-based medicine.
Although prescription of medical cannabis is highly regulated by the Department of Health through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), availability and accessibility of cannabis has increased across the country.
Recreational cannabis is illegal in many parts of Australia, including New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Possession and cultivation of cannabis is legal in Australian Capital Territory, which encompasses the country’s capital city Canberra. Residents of the Capital are allowed to possess up to 50 grams of dried marijuana and grow two cannabis plants per person or four plants per household.
Ways to consume cannabis in Australia?
Smoking
Smoking is the most common way people consume cannabis. Although the recreational experience of smoking marijuana can be fun, it is important to know that like cigarette smoke, cannabis smoke contains harmful chemicals that cause respiratory problems.
You can smoke cannabis using different methods. You can roll joints, blunts, use pipes, smoke from bongs or use a cannabis vaporizer.
Although experienced cannabis users believe bongs are the healthiest smoking method, they may not be very effective in reducing toxins produced when cannabis is combusted.
If possible, you should avoid smoking cannabis and choose alternative methods that are safer and more effective in giving you the cannabis inhalation experience you desire.
Vaping
Vaporization of cannabis has become one of the popular ways of consuming marijuana with minimal harm to your lungs, throat and the overall health of your body. It involves heating cannabis herb or concentrate to high temperature but below combustion temperature to convert to vapor. If you prefer inhaling cannabis as your consumption method, vaping is healthier and more effective than smoking.
Vaping does not produce harmful hydrocarbons. It is also gentler on the lungs. Nevertheless, ensure you buy the vaping device and herb or concentrate from reputable brands to prevent using cannabis or vaporizer with harmful ingredients.
Vaporizers are readily available in Australia. You can buy them from any part of the country. Unlike cannabis products that are highly regulated and controlled by the government, vaporizers can also be bought online from The Green Box.
Edibles
These are cannabis-infused foods, oils, tinctures or candies. They are smoke-free products that allow you to consume marijuana through ingesting it.
One of the drawbacks of taking cannabis edibles is that they take longer to kick in. The cannabis effects also last longer in the body compared to smoking. Effects of cannabis edibles can last in the body for 4-6 hours.
However, this method of cannabis consumption has nearly zero adverse effects if you do not swallow excess amounts of the flower or concentrates. If you’re not in a rush to feel the effects of cannabis, you can choose edibles over vaping.
Topicals
Topical cannabis extracts are applied and absorbed through your skin. They can be in the form of lotions, creams, oils, patches and balms. They are highly discrete and their effects can last longer.
Benefits of consuming cannabis
A cannabis experience can be very relaxing if you take the correct amount (always follow instructions as prescribed from your cannabis doctor in Australia). If you’re looking to have a recreational experience consuming cannabis, you need to know some of the beneficial effects cannabis provides.
Cannabinoids in cannabis can help you reduce pain. They alter pain perception pathways in your brain. Nevertheless, if you’re taking cannabis for medical reasons, seek the counsel of your doctor to get the correct dose to manage your pain.
If you’re having a loss of appetite due to stress or treatment side effects, cannabis is known to exponentially increase appetite for food. It creates the famous munchies effect.
The relaxing effects of cannabis can help you if you’re having sleep problems. For instance, if you’re having insomnia, marijuana is known to relax your body, allowing you to have sound sleep. Improved sleep may also be a result of pain reduction when you consume cannabis.
Cannabis can help your body and mind to calm down. For individuals having anxiety problems, consumption of cannabis can help reduce restlessness.
Cannabis has positive effects on health and wellbeing. It reduces inflammation, sleeping problems, appetite challenges, pain and anxiety, allowing you to have a healthier life.
Cannabis influences pleasure in your body. It causes a sensation of euphoria and relaxation. It makes you feel great. It activates neurons that control thinking, memory, thinking and pleasure. If you’re looking for cannabis in Australia for recreational purposes, then you have many benefits that you stand to gain.
Adverse effects of cannabis
Cannabis may have opioid-like effects on consumers. However, it poses much fewer risks than opioids.
Some of the health risks you need to be aware of as a cannabis consumer in Australia include:
- Hallucinogenic effects such as mild hallucinations
- Stimulating effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure and hyperactivity
- Depressant-like effects
- Other side effects include bloodshot eyes, increased appetite and dry mouth
Caution to cannabis consumers in Australia
If you have respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, you need to consider consuming cannabis orally to reduce the risk of exacerbating respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Cannabis has numerous benefits, but pay attention to your health. If you experience any health problems after consuming cannabis, seek medical attention.
Buy vaporizers and other cannabis accessories from reputable shops to ensure your cannabis experience is healthy and exhilarating.
Pay attention to the changing legal status of cannabis in your region. Each state has different regulations on cannabis.
Legal Disclaimer: The Green Box does not condone, promote or incite the use of any illegal substances or to get anyone in conflict with their region or state laws. This article was written for educational purposes and you should always consult a doctor in case you are considering using cannabis in any way or form.
