You’re at a party with some friends and someone lights up a joint. Since you are not a weed user, you’re worried whether it’s possible for you to get a contact high from secondhand marijuana smoke. Will you feel the psychoactive effects of marijuana by just being in the same place? Or worse, are you at risk for testing positive for marijuana in case you undergo a drug test? These are just some of the common questions people ask in relation to secondhand weed smoke.
Smoking marijuana is a popular pastime for many people, but it can be a problem if you are around secondhand smoke. There has been much debate over whether or not second hand weed smoke can get you high.
So, first things first: Can you get high from inhaling second hand marijuana smoke? The short answer is yes it is possible. However, while many people believe they have gotten high by being in close proximity to marijuana smokers, the truth of the matter is that it is highly unlikely for you to get high unless you are put in extreme conditions.
Marijuana contains THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol – the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gets you high. While it is possible for you to get THC from being a passive smoker, it takes a lot more secondhand smoke to feel its mind-altering effects.
According to studies that have been conducted regarding this matter, there are different factors that could affect whether you can get high or have THC in your system as a result of secondhand weed smoke. Below are just some things that you need to consider to find out whether you could be prone to getting a contact high from secondhand weed smoke.
Are you in an enclosed space or is the place ventilated?
One of the most important factors that could determine whether you’ll be able to feel the psychoactive effects of secondhand weed smoke is where the smoking is taking place. Are you in an enclosed room with no ventilation at all? Or is it in an open ventilated space with windows that allow the air to flow freely?
Researchers have found that if you are in an enclosed space, there is a higher chance for you to feel the effects of secondhand weed smoke. There is also a higher chance for you to have THC in your system that could trigger a positive drug test result.
However, if you are in a place like a coffee shop where it is a bigger space with ventilation, you’re unlikely to feel any effects. While THC might still be detected in your system, it will be very low to trigger a positive drug test result.
What if you’re just walking in the streets or the park and you pass by someone smoking weed? Don’t even worry because these few seconds of exposure will not likely cause any psychoactive effects or a positive drug test result for THC.
How potent is the weed being smoked?
Another factor that you need to take into consideration is the potency of the weed being smoked. To start with, the THC present in secondhand weed smoke is already very low. If the weed does not contain much THC in it, the THC in the second hand smoke will be insignificant. If the person you’re with is smoking an extra strength weed with a high amount of THC, this could heighten the chances of you feeling the same effects if you are trapped in an unventilated room for a long period.
The number of smokers present in the room is also another factor. For example, you’re not likely to feel any effects if there’s just one person smoking weed in a room of 20 people. However, if there are 20 people smoking weed all at the same time and you’re the only one not smoking, you’re more likely to feel its effects and get THC in your system.
How long have you been exposed to secondhand smoke?
The length of time you’ve been exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke also affects whether you’ll experience contact high and have THC in your system. If you’ve been living with a habitual weed smoker in the same house and you’re spending several hours a day in the presence of secondhand smoke, then the chances of feeling the effects will be higher. The chances of getting a positive drug test result are also higher. However, if you just passed by someone or entered a room momentarily, then this will not really deliver any considerable effects.
To conclude, getting high from secondhand weed smoke is unlikely unless you are in an enclosed place for a long time with people smoking extra strength marijuana.
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