MMJ: Caution Down Under

I hate to throw away all the plastic waste from vape pens, can you recommend any refillable options? - Petra “Kim” Ikal

It’s kinda funny (sad funny) how the cannabis industry, which used to be filled with hippies and environmentalists, has embraced plastic disposable pens and cartridges with a quickness. I get that pens are convenient and discreet, but does anyone care about leaving a small environmental footprint anymore?

As to your question: Pax, Prohibited and a few other companies sell vaporizers that can be used for waxes and oils. They are fairly easy to use, and once you get the hang of it, you can load up a fat dab hit with minimal muss and fuss. Also, many dispensaries in California have cartridge recycling programs.

You keep mentioning cannabis-infused lubes and they sound like fun, but are they safe? Will it get me stoned? - Georgia O’Kief

Time to call in the professionals on this topic. Dr. Jen Gunter is an OB/GYN who is working on a new book about lady bits as we speak. I asked her via Twitter (@drjengunter) about cannabis lubes and this is what she said: “I’m no marijuana expert but I have read every paper where cannabis has gone in the rectum or vagina! THC is absorbed well through the rectum so we have to assume it is absorbed vaginally. People must be careful dosing wise if they don’t want to get high. Start at the very lower end and gauge response.

“Cannabis use (just smoking,) is associated with a 20-percent increase in yeast infections and so I would not use it regularly until we know more.

“The lubes don’t give the kind of safety data that we like to see to say if safe for vaginal tissues (pH and osmolality). So my suggestion (doctors have to be conservative) is to not use regularly, but now and then probably OK as long as you aren’t prone to chronic yeast infections. THC absorption unstudied, but a dose of < 5 mg per application seems like it would not likely be absorbed in sufficient quantities to have a brain effect.”

The takeaway: most likely safe as a treat, but be careful if you are using it every day. Also: Most lubes these days are water-based, but I have seen a few oil-based canna-lubes out there. A reminder from Dr. Gunter: “Oil-based lubes don’t mix with condoms.”

Have fun and be safe.