Methods of Consumption
Cannabis use
is on the rise globally. Interestingly,
baby boomers and women make up the fastest growing segments of the market. Whether seeking relief from pain, menopause,
stress, or a host of other ailments, individuals across the world are increasingly
seeking cannabis as a form of medicine or as a recreational tool. Because the industry is rapidly evolving, a
plethora of new products are now available to consumers. This piece will touch on different methods of
consuming cannabis so that you can make a more informed choice about what works
best for you.
For more
information on this topic or to learn more about growing cannabis and the industry
at large, I strongly encourage you to check out Green Flower Media. I recently took the Cannabis Fundamentals
Course through their online Academy and was amazed at how much I learned about
this topic and others, even as a professional in the industry.
Smoking or inhaling cannabis is what
traditionally comes to mind when thinking about weed. Inhaled cannabis is enjoyed by many as their
preferred method of consumption.
Cannabis can taste really amazing and many folks simply enjoy firing up
a bowl or a joint. The process can
become somewhat ritualistic and for me personally, I always derived
satisfaction from handling the flower, smelling it, putting it in my pipe and
watching it burn. Many also prefer the
effects of inhaled cannabis as it hits you really quickly, often on the exhale
for strong flower and extracts. Effects
tend to last from 1-3 hours for experienced users, longer for newcomers.
Smoking
though, isn’t the healthiest of activities.
Cannabis burns hot and can be irritating to the throat. Some research also shows that compounds found
in cannabis can become carcinogenic when heated. While no direct causal link has been found
between cannabis smoke and cancer diagnosis, the plant does contain certain
chemicals deemed harmful. Smoking cannabis
also produces a very strong odor that some find offensive and smoking is also a
terribly inefficient way to get cannabinoids into your system. 50% of the active compounds are lost directly
to flame, and another perhaps 20% are lost upon exhale.
Vaporizing is another form of inhaled cannabis
that more and more consumers are adopting.
When vaporizing at lower heat, plant resins and oils melt without burning
plant material and without allowing tars and burning embers to enter your
mouth. Because vape devices burn at
lower temperatures, fewer potential carcinogens are associated with this
method. This method is also essentially
odorless and can be a very discrete way of consuming. Vaping is also a far more efficient way to
consume cannabis that preserves over twice as many cannabinoids as smoking.
Caution must
be taken though. Vaporizing, especially
cannabis oils, can be a very powerful delivery method not suitable for novice
users. Additionally, research is now
showing that not all vape devices are created equal. Some include metal alloys and plastics
inappropriate for heating, and some cartridges have shown to contain other
contaminants as well. Using high quality
devices with medical grade inputs is important.
Edibles refer to cannabis products that we
eat. Because smoking is associated with
certain social stigma and heath concerns, many find edibles to be an
appropriate alternative. Unlike inhaled
cannabis which goes directly to the central nervous system, edibles must be
digested by the stomach and metabolized in the liver before effects are
felt. As such, depending on your metabolism
and what’s in your stomach at the time of consumption, the onset of effects can
take between 30 minutes and 2 hours. A plethora of products are coming to market
and I personally find that those made with distillate (an odorless, tasteless substance)
are the most enjoyable as some foods have a strong cannabis taste…most
pronounced in chocolates I find. The effect
of edibles lasts quite a while, up to 6-8 hours for some, longer for the less
experienced or if a very high dose is taken.
Those with chronic pain and sleep issues find a nighttime edible to be
very beneficial.
Edibles are
stronger than inhaled forms of cannabis and need to approached cautiously. I overshot one time on a brownie. Damn thing tasted like ganja sludge and I frankly
should have known better. I got sick,
was an odd sort of green/yellow for several hours, and the effect lasted all
day. When edibles are broken down by the
body the THC (active ingredient that gets you high) converts to a stronger form
which explains the increased potency. I
have also heard several stories of children and pets accidentally consuming
edibles, so for those with families, extreme precaution must be taken to keep
products safe, secure, and away from unwanted hands (or paws).
Tinctures are cannabis infused liquids made
from alcohol or oils most generally.
Tinctures are designed to be used under the tongue and are administered
with a dropper. With this sublingual
delivery, active compounds enter the bloodstream and the onset of effect is
much quicker. Duration tends to be
around several hours. Were you to swallow the tincture instead, it would essentially
become an edible with slower onset.
I enjoy the
effect of tinctures but have found homemade versions disgusting as I don’t like
the taste of alcohol or oil. For many though,
this discrete form of consumption is a go to method.
Topicals are another interesting method of
consuming cannabis. Creams and salves
are becoming increasingly available and with this method, cannabis will not
show up on drug screening tests if that’s a concern for you. Topicals are being used for skin
beautification, localized pain management and therapeutic massage namely. This method of consumption will not get you
high and has a relatively rapid onset of effects around 30 minutes. Duration tends to be around 2-4 hours. Like all things, specifics matter. Understanding how much active ingredient is
in each product is important and will indicate how much relative value a
product has.
Transdermal Patches, akin to a nicotine patch, are
growing in interest and availability. With
a patch, medicine is released slowly, providing ongoing relief for those who
need it. It’s important to note that
unlike salves or balms, a transdermal patch will show up on drug screens.
Because
deliver of active compounds can be somewhat limited through a patch, they should
be placed on venous tissue where there is less fat and softer skin. Research is underway in this area to improve
delivery, so we can expect to see further developments in months and years to
come.
Raw Cannabis is being labeled as a super food by some in the industry. Cannabis acids like CBDa and THCa are available in raw plant material that has not been heated, so folks usually juice cannabis or eat it as an ingredient in salads. Full of antioxidants, omega’s and amino acids, raw acids have been shown to improve immune function and serve as anti inflammatories. Raw consumption is non-psychoactive so it will not get you high. Cannabis trichomes can be a bit hard to digest, so some practitioners recommend eating only immature cannabis leaves, while others believe that eating both leaves and flowers is the way to go. Raw cannabis can also taste bitter, so complimenting with another tasty fruit or vegetable can make your experience more enjoyable.
Jesse Duncan
Cannabis use is on the rise globally. Interestingly, baby boomers and women make up the fastest growing segments of the market. Whether seeking relief from pain, menopause, stress, or a host of other ailments, individuals across the world are increasingly seeking cannabis as a form of medicine or as a recreational tool. Because the industry … Continue reading Methods of Consumption →Read More
