A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Consumption Methods

Introduction:

Our ancestors consumed primarily hemp seeds and the more industrial aspects of the hemp and cannabis plants. As time and trade evolved, the consumption methods and utilizations of cannabis developed into a wide array of consumption methods for a variety of effects. Whether you are a seasoned cannabis consumer or a newcomer looking at the range of impact and benefits that this plant can provide, there are options for you. Taking the time to understand the different methods of application or consumption will narrow down the best end product for yourself. 

In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through each of the consumption methods currently available to the canna-curious consumer. Before switching to the prevalent edibles category, we will begin with the more common and fast-acting inhalation. Finally, we will cover the more long-lasting and directed experiences that can be achieved by utilizing Tinctures/Oils, Capsules, Topicals, or even the odd Suppository. These latest categories provide a massive range of effects with the different ratios and blends of the available cannabinoids on the market. Let’s embark on a journey through the spectrum of cannabis consumption methods.

Smoking:

Smoking is likely the most well-known and standard method of consumption for people, with legalization affecting access to the more concentrated or processed cannabis end products. The rapid onset of effects within minutes and the ability to enjoy it in a social environment makes it popular among recreational and medical users seeking immediate relief. Due to its popularity, a wide variety of products are available.

Smoking can be enjoying a joint or having a complex glass set up for taking big bong rips. Many people enjoy using a simple spoon pipe or adding a cigar leaf to roll up a blunt and get the blended effects. The methods and tools utilized for smoking cannabis can be simple or expansive. The result is the same rapid onset of effects and potentially flavourful experience. However, smoking may not be suitable for individuals with respiratory issues, as it can irritate the lungs and throat.

Vaping:

Vaporizers and Vaping have increased in popularity with the access to cannabis increasing, as consumers want a discreet and potentially healthier alternative to the combustive nature of smoking. Vaporizers heat cannabis flowers or extract to a specific temperature, releasing the desired cannabinoids and terpenes. Additionally, this method of consumption is smoother than smoking and allows you to have a more targeted experience with different heat settings.

Depending on the style and quality of your vaporizer, the degree of control over the temperature and accessories to utilize. Vaporizers are available in handheld devices, tabletop/desktop units, and disposable pens, allowing you to find the experience and device that fits your consumption goals with units focused on a lower consumption level and geared towards the individual, to desktop units like Storz and Bickel’s Volcano or Arizers’ Q-10 that can fill a bag with vapour and shared amongst a group. 

Dabbing:

Dabbing is an extension of vaporizing cannabis products exclusively for concentrates, also known as dabs. These extracts can be produced using a Solvent (Butane, Propane, or C02) or Solventless extraction methods. The result will vary greatly depending on the input of the flower selected. Standard extracts are shatter, wax, budder, and live resin from the solvent category, as well as hash rosin, flower rosin, and live hash rosin from solventless methods.

To consume these concentrated cannabis products, users are introduced to a heated surface, typically a nail or banger on a dab rig or an electronic rig, and vaporized for inhalation. Dabbing can also be as accessible as disposable vape pens in many markets. The process is the same as vaporizing: maintaining a specific heat level to boil off and vaporize the desired compounds within the concentrate. 

Dabbing can be a fantastic option for both new and experienced consumers looking for the rapid and intense onset of effects. New consumers should be guided by someone with experience with dabbing to prevent accidental overconsumption and adverse effects. However, the cost and access to the specialized equipment and careful temperature regulation to avoid overheating the concentrate and producing a harsh and unenjoyable experience provide a few roadblocks to entry.

Edibles:

Edibles provide a level of comfort for individuals who are looking to avoid the inhalation methods of cannabis consumption. Cannabis-infused products range from gummies to chocolates, cookies, or cold beverages. These edibles can provide a longer-lasting experience and a more discrete option than the aromatic smoke from a joint. The initial onset with traditional edibles is slower than the inhalation methods, typically between 30 minutes and two hours before onset. Planning for this delay of onset needs to be carefully planned, and patients must be required to prevent accidental overconsumption.

This delay in the onset of effects with traditional edibles is due to the body’s need to absorb and transition the THC compounds within the edibles. Your liver will take the THC and transition it into the potentially more psychoactive compound of 11-Hydroxy-THC. Your liver’s efficiency and capability to transition the THC to 11-Hydroxy-THC may be a factor in your overall experience with edibles and tolerance. 

With the legalization of cannabis and the ingenuity of its consumers, there are now fast-acting edibles and beverages on the market for your consumption. This is to nano-emulsify the THC extract into the edible or beverage. This process allows the THC to be small enough to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your liver and enacting its effects faster. Many of the beverages within the Canadian market will be nano-emulsified, allowing for rapid onset and experience. 

Topicals:

Cannabis Topical products open an exclusive avenue to consumers who are not looking to experience any psychoactive effects. These products include creams, lotions, balms, and oils infused with cannabinoids. Unlike the other methods of consumption, topicals are applied directly to the skin and provide potential therapeutic benefits in a localized area. Topicals are famous for relieving pain, inflammation, muscle soreness, and arthritis without inducing the psychoactive effects. Individuals who are looking to utilize the benefits of cannabis for relief without the whole body experience from other consumption methods.

Tinctures and Sublingual Application:

Tinctures and sprays can be administered under your tongue for rapid absorption into the bloodstream (this route is called a sublingual application). Sublingual application bypasses the digestive system m, allowing the cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream quickly due to the massive number of blood vessels underneath your tongue. This increased uptake of cannabinoids into the bloodstream results in a faster onset of effects and medicinal relief. These products also provide longer-lasting effects than inhalation and are comparable to traditional edible experiences. This is a favoured method for individuals who need long-term medicinal relief and support for chronic pain, insomnia, and digestive issues. A sublingual oil or tincture can be optimized with a calibrated dropper or measured syringe so you can draw up the desired amount. Alternatively, you can find bottles with a spray nozzle attachment to help mist the oil or tincture under your tongue for absorption, providing a more straightforward method of administration. The discretion, dosing control and long-lasting effects make this method a fantastic option for any consumer looking for a full day’s relief.

Capsules:

Cannabis capsules keep the guesswork out of dosing your cannabis oils or powdered extracts since they are predosed and encased in gelatin or vegan-friendly capsules. The precise dosing allows for a discreet and consistent intake of desired cannabinoids. Without the need for any additional equipment to consume these capsules, they are an excellent addition to medical patients who prefer or require standardized dosages and a consistent effect for managing symptoms like chronic pain, insomnia, and nausea. 

Suppositories:

Cannabis suppositories are a fantastic alternative to oral medications for individuals with major gastrointestinal issues or who require a fast-acting experience for severe pain, muscle spasms, or nausea. This would be an excellent method of consumption for cancer patients receiving treatment. 

Additionally, cannabis suppositories can be utilized in both the rectal and vaginal regions. The uterus lining has an equivalent amount of cannabinoid receptors to our brains. This concentrated amount of receptors allows suppositories to be a fantastic option for individuals looking for pain management, sexual health and reproductive support. 

Conclusion:

The landscape surrounding cannabis consumption and the ever-evolving methods to enjoy this fantastic plant, whether it be for recreational enjoyment or therapeutic relief, is terrific. The methods and options to enjoy cannabis can range from the more traditional smoking and vaping to the extracts available on the market. Potentially, it is the selection of edibles or cannabis beverages on the market or the more subtle and focused experience of a tincture or oil capsule. Understanding how these consumption methods can be utilized and enjoyed will help guide you toward the best product for your needs. Learning how these products and styles of consumption can work with one another allows you to maximize the potential benefits of the cannabis consumption experience. 

For new consumers, finding out what method of consumption pairs up with your desired effects will help narrow the selection of available products. The next step would be to figure out exactly how much THC and psychoactive experience you’d like from your consumption experience. With each method having a different result and onset, understanding precisely what they can provide will be your best guide to finding your best method of consumption.