Traveling can be one of the most rewarding life experiences one can have—but it doesn’t always go hand in hand with cannabis legalization. Unless your future travel plans are taking you to a recreationally legal state, or abroad to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Canada, or Uruguay, it’s unlikely that you will find safe, legal access to cannabis.
This isn’t something to take lightly, as cannabis laws vary state to state, country to country, and some places carry very serious penalties when one is found in possession of the herb. It’s always best to respect local customs and laws in every way, and that includes respecting local drug laws.
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If you’re planning to travel, it may be beneficial to plan not just the journey, but the pre-journey too, by taking a tolerance break.
Rejuvenate With a T-Break Before Take Off
T-breaks can be useful for many things, such as tempering a tolerance that has grown unnecessarily high. However, if you’re a regular and/or heavy smoker, it is possible to experience withdrawal—this is why easing off weed before traveling is so essential.
Irritability, headaches, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and a decreased appetite are all possible effects of suddenly quitting cannabis cold turkey. While not everyone will experience any or all of these symptoms, it’s wise not to leave it to chance when planning a journey, especially abroad.
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With factors like jetlag, changes in diet, altered sleep schedules, and fast-paced itineraries already in play, it won’t do you any favors to add cannabis withdrawal to the list. For many, traveling is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; you owe it to yourself to do everything you can to enjoy it to the fullest.
So, you know you’re going away and won’t have access to cannabis. You’ve decided to take a T-break. What’s the best way to go about it?
Best Steps for a Better Break
First, you need to set a time frame. Ideally, you should give yourself a minimum of two weeks before leaving for your trip. This is enough time for you to truly overcome any adverse effects and get accustomed to not having cannabis in your system. If you don’t have two weeks then work with what you’ve got, and don’t beat yourself up if you’re still feeling some effects of withdrawal the first few days of your journey.
Don’t make it harder by keeping temptation tucked away in a drawer.
Next, get rid of your weed. Invite some friends over and make sure you enjoy the last of your supply. Or, give it to someone you trust to hold it until you’re back. Don’t make it harder by keeping temptation tucked away in a drawer. You have enough to think about while planning this trip without having to worry about setbacks.
Finally, throw yourself into planning! There’s nothing like a good distraction to get you through the adjustment, and what’s better than the excitement of planning your trip? Use the time to research the sights you want to see, the routes you’re going to take, and the best restaurants to enjoy the local fare.
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When you love to travel, it’s necessary to be willing to let go of habits and routine, and unfortunately—due to prohibition—cannabis is one of those habits that needs to be temporarily set aside. Whether you’re on your way to Athens, Greece or Dallas, Texas, the experiences you have and memories you make will be worth the interruption to your usual way of life, and cannabis will be there waiting when you return.
The unspoken bonus? That first joint you smoke when you get home will be extra elevating and may become the perfect creative boost when regaling your friends and family with stories of your adventures.
