If you’re beginning your medical cannabis journey, the variety of consumption methods can seem overwhelming. While it’s essential to understand the difference between delivery methods, it doesn’t need to be a complicated process. If you’ve been wondering how to choose the best cannabis consumption method for your needs, keep reading because this article is for you.
Cannabis Consumption: Smoking
Smoking is one of the more traditional methods of consuming cannabis. It’s as simple as it sounds and only involves combusting the cannabis flower and inhaling the smoke. It’s an effective delivery system because the lungs readily absorb cannabinoids, and effects are almost instantly felt.
The drawback of smoking is that it might not be the healthiest way to consume your medicine, especially if you suffer from breathing issues. Many medical cannabis users also find that regular smoking is too harsh on the lungs and end up choosing other options if they need to medicate frequently.
Vaping
Vaping is a great consumption method for medical cannabis patients because it’s a safer and more convenient alternative to smoking. Instead of combusting cannabis, vaporizers heat cannabis flower or concentrates just enough to convert it to vapor, quickly releasing the cannabinoids in the form of a gas that is free from tar and carcinogens.
Dosage is easy to control with vaping because the effects are felt almost immediately. Vaporizers can be a discrete and portable way to consume cannabis and are often the choice for people who want to avoid any potential irritation to their respiratory system.
Dabbing
Dabbing has recently become popular with many cannabis users because of its ability to quickly and efficiently deliver enormous amounts of cannabinoids to the body. Rather than using flowers, dabbing involves the use of extremely potent concentrates called “shatter” and “wax,” which regularly contain over 50% THC.
Dabbing refers to the process of placing a dose of cannabis concentrate onto a heated water pipe attachment called a “nail,” which instantly vaporizes it to provide a smooth, flavorful experience without any plant material.
While dabbing tends to deliver a cleaner and healthier alternative to smoking, it’s often too powerful for some medical cannabis patients, and the use of a “dag rig” can be less convenient than other options. Because dabbing utilizes highly concentrated cannabis extracts, it’s not recommended for patients who are new to cannabis.
Edibles
Cannabis infused food and drink is becoming increasingly widespread, and the selection opportunities are continually expanding. You can find everything from candy to sodas to savory snacks, with many different cannabinoid formulas and potencies. Edibles offer effects that can last much longer than other consumption methods (4 to 8+ hours) and depending on the dosage can be much more intense.
The downside to edibles for medical patients is that the onset is delayed, and it can take anywhere from 30 to 90+ minutes to feel the effects. They delayed onset can also make it more challenging to get the dosage right because it’s tempting to consume another dose while waiting for the effects to kick in.
Tinctures and Oils
Tinctures and oils are liquid cannabis concentrates derived through extraction. Before cannabis prohibition in 1937, cannabis tinctures were a prevalent form of medication. These products are typically administered sublingually, and a few drops under the tongue is a recommended starting dose for new cannabis patients. Tinctures and oils are available in a wide range of cannabinoid profiles and potencies and even come in tasty flavors.
Cannabis Consumption: Topicals
Topicals are an excellent choice for people with physical aches and pains who want to avoid psychoactive effects. These products include cannabis-infused salves, lotions, sprays, balms, oils, and creams. Topicals are applied straight to the skin for quick, localized pain and inflammation relief. Topicals are great for targeting specific areas of the body to treat things like joint, muscle, and surface-oriented pain as well as skin conditions.
If you’d like more information on consumption methods, we can help. Drop by or schedule a consultation with our expert staff. We’ll help you find the best products and consumption method for you and your condition.
2 Responses
It’s great for stoping opioids. Because of medical marijuana I don’t take pain pills anymore. I was on Roxy’s and now I don’t use opioids.Thanks to the natural plant I no longer need man made drugs for pain.