For many cannabis users, 4\/20 represents a day to celebrate marijuana.<\/p>\n
Cannabis is decriminalized in the state of California for medical and recreational use but remains illegal<\/a> under federal law. Sacramento State also prohibits smoking or vaping under its Systemwide Smoke and Tobacco Free<\/a> Environment policy.<\/p>\n Still, many students may use cannabis during the unofficial holiday. Experts say safety above all else. <\/p>\n According to the American College Health Association\u2019s National College Health Assessment<\/a> (ACHA\/NCHA), just under 25% of Sacramento State students in 2024 reported using a cannabis product within a three-month period, with less than half having ever tried one.<\/p>\n Nan Fitzpatrick, a health promotion specialist at Student Health and Wellness, said the data may not fully represent the student population, with students often assuming more of their peers smoke considering the small sample size and reliance on self-reporting.<\/p>\n \u201cThe media portrays that [substance use] is a natural choice that college age students are making,\u201d Fitzpatrick said, \u201cWhat the data tells us is that there is use, but when we ask students to make a guess they almost always overestimate the actual use that\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n Cannabis use is relatively even among men (21%) and women (25%), while 40% of gender non-conforming respondents reported use. Research suggests cannabis-use disorders<\/a> may be prevalent among diverse populations<\/a>, with social health<\/a> as an inciting factor.<\/p>\n Yessenia Marquez, a graduate exercise science student and budtender<\/a> at A Therapeutic Alternative<\/a>, has been working with Gwenaelle Begue, an associate professor in the kinesiology department, for several years. They have been studying the functions of the endocannabinoid system<\/a> (ECS) as well as the effects of cannabis on athletes and people with Parkinson\u2019s disease. The pair also hosted Sac State\u2019s first cannabis symposium last November.<\/p>\n RELATED: Researchers explore exercise and health with cannabis<\/a><\/p>\n The ECS affects many mental and physical processes in the human body: pain regulation<\/a>, mood<\/a>, immune response<\/a> and reproduction<\/a>, among others. There is evidence to believe that the ECS is behind the \u201cnatural highs\u201d our bodies face, such as a runner\u2019s high<\/a>. Using cannabis products interacts with ECS receptors, leading to the \u201chigh\u201d or therapeutic effects many people feel when using THC or CBD products.<\/p>\n Earlier studies on cannabis use among college students often reported negative consequences and academic effects.<\/a> More recent research, however, challenges<\/a> both extreme negative and overly positive claims.<\/p>\n Mimi Golshanar, a biology and child development double major with a minor in math, said that she sees a lot of polarized media, but that negative information repeated the same arguments and led her to ignoring it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything that I have ever really seen has been either resoundingly good or resoundingly bad,\u201d Golshanar said. \u201cI\u2019m curious, but I don\u2019t think \u2013 in terms of negative media or negative research \u2013 have I seen anything new yet to make me pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n Begue said that there has been a recent shift within cannabis research that has led to more objective and unbiased studies coming out in recent history. She and Marquez recommend that students look into potential conflicts and funding sources when keeping themselves informed.<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick said the primary concern is not how many people use cannabis, but the risk factors of misuse.<\/p>\n The ACHA\/NCHA showed that cannabis has the highest percent of users who fall under moderate or high risk for misuse. Fitzpatrick said that misuse occurs when negative consequences begin to regularly occur for users, with disordered use actively disrupting relationships, finances and health. Disordered use is often equated to addiction.<\/p>\n Fitzpatrick said that the goal is to make sure people stay within healthy ranges, and have the resources to fall back on if misuse or disordered use occur.<\/p>\n \u201cLooking at all these different levels of use and levels of risk helps us, as a department, identify ways to provide education and harm reduction strategies for students,\u201d Fitzpatrick said.<\/p>\n Rylen Eudy, a fourth-year recreation, parks and tourism administration major, has used cannabis since the age of 18 for social and recreational purposes. Eudy said now, at 22, he uses it in moderation at the end of his day to unwind and self-medicate depression. Eudy said that he used to struggle with cannabis addiction, struggling to attend class, get proper sleep or do work. When he eventually cut back on cannabis, the habit was replaced by drinking alcohol, which brought its own problems.<\/p>\n \u201cI started drinking and I stopped smoking and that was \u2013 spoiler alert \u2013 just as bad. I had gotten to realize that I have an addictive personality, and it was kind of a perfect wake up call,\u201d Eudy said. \u201cUltimately, that taught me not to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Eudy said he was hesitant to seek help, but was grateful when he received support from his family and friends to get back to healthy use. That shame and hesitation made him unsure if he could get help again if he needed it even with the support.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, it\u2019s hard. I remember it being kinda embarrassing, it makes you feel weak in a sense,\u201d Eudy said. \u201cIf I need help, the last thing I wanna do is admit it.\u201d<\/p>\n Marquez warned about crossing alcohol with cannabis and being unaware of your body\u2019s responses. She encourages people to keep track of both their drinking and cannabis use, as different substances can amplify or interact with each other in unwanted ways.<\/p>\n \u201cThese molecules are not ideal for each other,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cPeople can get caught up in the moment of having fun after consuming one or the other, and then, once they cross both of them, that\u2019s typically when experiences turn unenjoyable and they can feel a little sick.\u201d<\/p>\n Marquez said safe use includes being in a good headspace, staying in a safe environment, being with trusted people and using legal, tested products.<\/p>\n Begue added that individuals can respond differently to cannabis, even with the same product or dose. Marquez recommends that people start at a low dosage to begin, and move up slowly depending on how their body reacts.<\/p>\n Golshanar said she uses cannabis to destress on her off days and mitigate her anxiety. She began smoking when she was 19 during community college, when a group of older co-workers taught her healthy habits, Golshanar said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was kind of like the opposite of peer pressure,\u201d Golshanar said. \u201cThey had good intentions. They didn\u2019t want it for me \u2013 I was persistent.\u201d<\/p>\n Golshanar said her coworkers taught good habits that she follows today: being aware of the situation, avoiding overuse and having water or food handy. She also makes sure to avoid using before work and will take breaks when she feels like she craves cannabis. <\/p>\n \u201cI think if I had started, [when] in the thick of it at Sac State, when I was stressed out\u2026my habits would have been so much worse,\u201d Golshanar said. \u201cTo have been at that time and around those people, I think it definitely made sure that I didn\u2019t go crazy right off the bat.\u201d<\/p>\n Marquez and Begue say that the key is intentional use. They both recommend that users do research before buying products and encourage people to ask budtenders at dispensaries any questions that may arise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can start locally at your dispensary,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cWhat is the intention? You know, like, do you want to do it socially, recreationally? Is there a medical purpose behind it? It\u2019s going to depend on the individual.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead of focusing on what may have a higher THC level, Marquez said, people should look into the product\u2019s terpenes<\/a>, the molecular compound that works with CBD and THC can provide differing effects to the user. According to the California Department of Cannabis Control, terpene and cannabinoid content must be tested<\/a>, verified and disclosed<\/a> for any product.<\/p>\n