Cannabis Consumption Methods
There are a variety of ways to consume cannabis, and most people will find that one method is more effective than another for their particular needs. Every person should find which method is best for them..
Smoking
The most common form of consumption is smoking the dried flowers of the cannabis plant – the buds, nugs, flower, ganja and weed. There are many ways dried cannabis can be smoked, such as through a pipe, rolled in papers (a “joint”), or water pipe.
Smoking cannabis has immediate effects, and a relatively short duration. The effects of smoking cannabis can vary between 45 minutes to 4 hours.
Regular smoking may have a negative impact on health, so vaporisers and edible forms of cannabis are recommended for customers with existing sensitivities or conditions that may be affected by smoke.
Edibles
Cannabis can be infused into butter or oil that can then be cooked in food. Edible cannabis usually takes longer to have a physical effect and can have a significantly longer duration of therapeutic effect than smoking or vaporising. Edibles can take 20 to 90 minutes to take effect, depending on an individual’s metabolism and other factors. The therapeutic effects can last over four hours.
Many customers report that eating cannabis has a more relaxing bodily effect than a mental high. Often patients consume edibles at night for a sound night’s sleep.
Because dosages can be tricky to judge, it is recommended that one eat a small amount of a product and wait to consider its dosage timing, potency and intensity. It’s best to wait an hour or more before assessing the dosage so that an individual does not over medicate. And, if after an hour or 90 minutes has passed with little to no effect, try consuming an additional ½ of the original dosage.
Vaporising
A vaporiser can extract the therapeutic ingredients of cannabis, cannabinoids, at a much lower temperature than can burning. This allows users to inhale their cannabis as a vapour instead of a smoke.
Many customers find that their cannabis goes much further when vaporised. Cannabis vapour has a subtle, light and pleasant odour that does not linger which makes it a nice, discrete way to enjoy cannabis in extremely controlled doses.
Cannabis vaporisers have burst onto the market in recent years and can be found in many shapes, sizes, and strains. There are disposable vaporiser “pens” which are filled with cannabis oil and intended for a single use, pre-filled cartridges (require a battery for use) that contain a half or full gram of cannabis oil, and “load your own” style devices that allow a user to determine how much cannabis oil will be vaporised.
Tinctures
Tinctures are a cannabis concentrate in liquid form. Tinctures are taken sublingually (under the tongue), diluted into a warm liquid such as tea, or placed onto food. Onset and duration of effects vary, so it is recommended that customers take small doses, and wait about 15 minutes to assess potency and intensity.
Due to the vast array of choices, tinctures have become somewhat of a “secret weapon” product. There are high and low THC content options, THC or CBD options, strain specific options, and more. For customers who do not want to smoke or vaporise their cannabis, but are looking for stronger effects than traditional edibles, tinctures can be an excellent choice. Likewise, customers who do not want to consume sugar, gluten, or other ingredients can rely on tinctures as a diet-friendly option.
Body Care
Cannabis body care products are becoming increasing common. These products are applied directly to the skin and deliver THC and/or CBD into your body via your pores. Most cannabis body care products do not provide a mental high and are referred to as “non-psychoactive”, however we always recommend starting with small amounts as cannabis affects everyone differently.
The cannabis body care products industry is really growing, and customers now have their choice of oils, creams, balms, salves, lotions, sprays, ChapSticks, soaking salts, and more. Many customers report that they are extremely effective for psoriasis, sore muscles, spasms, rheumatoid arthritis, restless leg syndrome and migraines.