The Field Guide
Cannabis answered, without the jargon.
Straight answers to the questions people ask most often about cannabis. Read the one you came for, then ask us the rest in store.
How To Read A Cannabis Certificate Of Analysis
Every cannabis product sold at a New York State licensed dispensary carries a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a state-certified independent testing laboratory. The COA documents what the product contains and confirms that it passed safety screening. Customers access the COA by scanning the QR code on the package. This guide explains how to read each section.
Read →How Much Cannabis Can I Possess In NYC
New York State sets possession limits for adult-use cannabis under the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), signed into law in March 2021. The law lets adults 21 and over possess, use, and grow cannabis within defined limits.
Read →Where Can I Smoke Cannabis In NYC
New York State legalized adult-use cannabis under MRTA in March 2021. New York City handles where cannabis can be smoked through the existing Smoke-Free Air Act, which covers combustible smoking products for both tobacco and cannabis. This page walks through where smoking is allowed, where it is prohibited, and how vapes and edibles fit (or do not fit) the same rules.
Read →What To Do If You Are Too High
Sometimes a dose hits harder than you expected. It feels bad, but it passes. There is no known fatal dose of cannabis at the amounts people use recreationally, and the discomfort goes away on its own as your body clears it. This page walks through what is happening, how to ride it out, and how to avoid it next time. None of this is medical advice. If you are worried about your health, talk to a doctor.
Read →Cannabis And Sleep
Sleep is one of the reasons people ask us about cannabis. It is a fair question, and the honest answer has some nuance to it. This page covers what cannabinoids tend to do around sleep, the kinds of products people reach for, and the caveats worth keeping in mind. It is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a treatment for any sleep condition.
Read →Cannabis And Anxiety
Cannabis and anxiety have a complicated relationship. A small amount can take the edge off for some people. A larger amount can do the opposite and ramp anxiety up. The same product can leave one person mellow and another person on edge. This page lays out the general pattern, the kinds of products people lean on, and the caveats worth knowing. It is general information, not medical advice, and it is not a treatment for an anxiety disorder.
Read →Cannabis And Pain
People come into the shop asking whether cannabis can help with pain, and the honest answer is that it depends on the kind of pain and the person. This page walks through what the research generally says and how the common product formats differ. It is education, not medical advice. If you have a real pain condition, talk to your doctor. Cannabis can interact with prescription medications, and a provider who knows your history is the right person to weigh in.
Read →Does Cannabis Show Up On A Drug Test
Yes. Cannabis can show up on a drug test for a while after you use it. How long depends on the test, how often you use, your body, and your metabolism, so there is no single number that fits everyone. This page covers what these tests actually look for, why detection windows vary so much, and how the law treats off-duty cannabis use for many workers in New York.
Read →Cannabis And Pregnancy
This page covers cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The information here is intended to help readers understand the medical authority consensus, the underlying concerns, and the resources available to pregnant individuals who have questions. This page is not medical advice. Pregnant individuals, postpartum individuals, and those planning conception should consult their obstetric or midwifery provider. The Alchemy is a licensed adult-use dispensary, not a medical provider.
Read →Cannabis And Driving
Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in New York, and the penalties are serious. New York treats drug impairment behind the wheel a lot like alcohol impairment, but it is detected and prosecuted differently. Here is what the law actually says, plus some plain advice if cannabis is part of your night.
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