A patient brand-new to medical cannabis has a lot to learn. There are numerous cultivars and strains to learn. There are differences between cannabinoids. And of course, there are ton of different ways to consume cannabis. It is not as simple as getting a small plastic bottle filled with prescription pills one can take mindlessly.
The different ways to consume cannabis, known in the industry as delivery methods, are one of the most confusing aspects to new medical cannabis patients. They do not understand that different delivery methods produce different results. They also have no way of knowing how a delivery method might affect them. These are things they need to learn as they go.
To illustrate the point, here is just a small sampling of the many ways patients can consume medical cannabis:
- Smoking
The most common form of cannabis consumption among both medical and recreational users is smoking. Dried plant material is rolled in paper or placed in a bong, then burned. Smoke is inhaled to glean the benefits of THC, CBD, etc.
Not all states allow medical users to smoke. Utah is one that bans smoking. So even though you could go into Salt Lake City’s Beehive Farmacy and buy raw plant material, you cannot smoke that material. You can only dry heat it or use it to make cannabis edibles at home.
- Dry Heating
Dry heating is said to be the next best thing in terms of maximizing cannabis effects. Dry heating utilizes a special device that heats cannabis plant material to a temperature high enough to release its cannabinoids without actually burning. You get all the same benefits without the toxic chemicals associated with combustion.
- Vaping
Cannabis vaping is nearly identical to nicotine vaping. The desired cannabinoids, usually THC and/or CBD, are suspended in a thick liquid. That liquid is heated in a vaping device to transform it into a vapor. You inhale the vapor and all its constituents.
- Tinctures
Tinctures represent another delivery method that makes the effects of cannabis available almost immediately. A tincture is a concentrated oil and little else. You place a drop or two under your tongue and let it do its thing. Why that particular location? Because the skin is thin and has a high concentration of capillaries. The drug gets into the bloodstream very quickly.
- Edibles
Next up are edible products. They include things like gummies, cookies, brownies, and cannabis-infused beverages. Edibles are tricky from a regulatory standpoint. Some states, like California, do not place any restrictions on them. But other states do. For example, the only edibles allowed in Utah are gummies.
- Tablets and Capsules
Although not extremely popular, some medical cannabis pharmacies sell products in capsule and tablet form. Users consume the same way they would any other drug sold as a capsule or tablet. Take one or two with a glass of water and you are good to go.
- Dabbing
The final delivery method this post will discuss is known as dabbing. Dabbing is a practice that isn’t recommended for new users because it’s tricky to pull off. It involves exposing a concentrated cannabis paste to a sudden burst of intense heat. This vaporizes the paste nearly instantly, leaving a vapor to be inhaled.
Different delivery methods make the effects of medical cannabis available at different rates. Smoke and you are likely to feel the effects immediately. Choose an edible and it could be an hour before you feel anything.
The many ways of consuming medical cannabis can be intimidating to new patients. Thankfully, there are plenty of experienced people patients can turn to for advice.
