By Adam Parsons

Pretty much any time people enjoy cannabis, whether it’s for some chill time at home or when having fun at a concert, there is secondhand cannabis smoke. For us friends of the magical herb, this isn’t a big deal; after all, what’s wrong with the smell of some nice, dank weed? On the other hand, secondhand cannabis smoke is often a nuisance for those who are not into cannabis. And let’s be honest, who could blame them, seeing that the smell sure can be quite intense. But what about your pets? Can they get high from secondhand smoke?

CAN ANIMALS GET HIGH FROM SECONDHAND CANNABIS SMOKE?

The average person doesn’t need to be concerned about getting high from a whiff (or a few) of your secondhand cannabis smoke. The main reason for this is that people are much larger and heavier than household pets, so the small amount of “active stuff” in weed that floats around in secondhand smoke doesn’t really make an impact. But it’s a different story with pets.

The smaller size of your dog or cat makes them a lot more sensitive to cannabis, making it possible for them to get high if there’s a lot of secondhand smoke wafting around.

You taking the occasional hit in their general vicinity shouldn't get your pet high, but a hotbox surely will. And them getting high isn’t the only potentially negative effect of secondhand smoke; dogs and cats also have a much more sensitive respiratory system, and secondhand smoke can cause them serious breathing problems and irritation.

As a general rule, the smaller your pet, the bigger the risk of being harmed by secondhand smoke.

EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON DOGS

Some stoners believe that what’s good for them is also good for their dogs. They may blow weed into their dog’s face or even give them some edibles, not knowing that this can actually result in severe and life-threatening reactions. Not cool. Although your furry friend isn’t going to die by interacting with lingering fumes around the house from time to time, blowing it in their face or feeding it to them is seriously irresponsible, and may cause serious symptoms such as shaking, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and even seizures.

CBD IS DIFFERENT

Then again, if your dog has a medical condition and you think CBD may be of benefit, this could indeed be a possible mode of treatment. However, you should first consult with your vet before medicating your pet. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating, so it won’t cause them to experience the same mind-altering effects. However, even if you’re smoking a CBD-rich strain, you still want to avoid having your pet come into contact with the smoke. Your vet will likely recommend better ways, like CBD oil, to administer the cannabinoid to your dog, in the right dosage.

Receptors on your Pets

EFFECT OF CANNABIS ON CATS

Just like dogs and most other small pets, cats can get stoned from cannabis. Their smaller size makes them especially receptive to the THC from secondhand smoke. In a study from 2018, researchers found THC in the bloodstream of cats that had been exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke. This indicates that cats respond to THC and metabolise it just like we do. But don’t think that they would enjoy it if you shared your stash with them. They sure won’t. Just as with dogs, having your cat partake in your love for weed is really a bad idea, and potentially dangerous for your four-legged friend.

MARIJUANA ISN'T JUST TOXIC FOR PETS, THEY ALSO DON'T ENJOY BEING HIGH

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has established that cannabis is toxic for cats, dogs, and horses. Marijuana intoxication can lead to serious side effects that range from depression, to vomiting, to sleeping troubles, low blood pressure, drooling, seizures, and in extreme cases, even coma and death.

Another issue has to do with the way animals experience the “high”. While most of us certainly enjoy it, your pets will have no idea what’s going on, so it may end up being quite traumatic for them. In other words, even if your cat or dog doesn’t show obvious signs of marijuana intoxication, they are likely feeling freaked out by what’s happening.

Like dogs, CBD oil for cats is a valid option for some; consult with your vet first.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET GETS INTO YOUR STASH

So, what if your dog or your cat finds your weed cookies? Here’s the good news; although marijuana is bad for dogs and cats, fatal accidents from weed are relatively rare. The side effects from marijuana intoxication, such as the above-mentioned, are normally short-lived and last no longer than 72 hours.

That being said, if you suspect that Fluffy got into your stash, this is an emergency and you should consult your vet immediately. Likewise, if you think that your pet may have gotten too intoxicated from secondhand smoke, contact your vet as soon as possible just to make sure. If you notice strange behaviour in your pets such as panting, pacing, restlessness, or general distress, it may be time to act. Getting your cat or dog to the vet is particularly important if your pet is older and/or has an underlying health condition.

OTHER HEALTH RISKS FOR YOUR PETS FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE

These days, even the most adamant cigarette smokers know that the habit is bad for them. Lighting up a joint can also release unhealthy substances that one doesn’t necessarily want in their body. While those who smoke normally know about these risks, the word is still out on whether secondhand smoke is equally bad for your health. Some studies say it is at least as bad as smoking, while other studies suggest it has fewer risks. But even if secondhand smoke is less likely to cause long-term chronic health problems, it is known to cause acute irritation. Your pets are super sensitive to the harmful substances in smoke, even if the smoke doesn’t contain THC.

If you are someone who smokes regularly in the home, your rugs, furniture, and curtains probably have lingering smoke sticking to them too. Over time, this may be harmful to your pets. Consider giving these a deep clean once in a while.

Pets Secondhand Smoke

WHAT IF YOU LOVE SMOKING WEED, BUT HAVE PETS?

There are definitely some things you can do to reduce the risk for your pets when enjoying cannabis.

• Vaping

Vaping cannabis instead of smoking has a whole lot of advantages. Since vaping skips the entire combustion part, it releases much fewer harmful chemicals than smoke. Vapor will also disperse quickly, and will not linger in your room or stick to your furniture. In other words, it’s cleaner and healthier not just for you, but also your pets. So consider vaping as the better alternative if you love Fluffy as much as your weed!

• Keep your stash safe

Whether you have a bunch of jars with some juicy buds or have just gotten some “loaded” baked goods from your weed-loving grandmother, you should keep the stuff safe and sound so that your pets cannot get into it. These days, with cannabis edibles being increasingly legal in many places, vets are getting flooded with dog and cat owners whose pets have gotten into their cookies. Such accidents could be easily avoided if you keep your marijuana in a safe container, securely closed and away from your pets.

• Ventilate your room

If you are smoking with your pets around, open the windows and don’t let your room get all sticky and stinky with your cannabis smoke. Needless to say, don’t blow smoke in Fluffy’s direction “just for fun”—this is just mean.

• Watch your pets

Always keep an eye on your pets. If your pet is behaving oddly and you think it may have gotten into your stash, don’t hesitate and consult the vet right away.

PETS AND SECONDHAND SMOKE—THE BOTTOM LINE

If you love cannabis like most of us, but you also own pets, know that they don’t necessarily share your enthusiasm. In fact, marijuana is bad for them. If you are a responsible cannabis smoker, you should also be a responsible pet owner.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: