Ways to Consume Cannabis

Back in the 1970’s if you asked someone to consume cannabis, 90% of the time they were smoking a joint or pipe otherwise known as inhaling cannabis. Fast forward to today and ask someone the same question, you’ll be astonished at how many ways you can now consume cannabis on a regular basis. Below are variations and tips on different ways to consume and what could possible work best for you!

  1. Inhale - Inhaling is referring to actually smoking cannabis. Where the smoke goes into your lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. Also the most common way to consume. (Photo Source: Pexel)
      • Pipe - Whether it’s a glass pipe, water pipe or even a corn pipe this is the easiest way to consume flower. You simply pack it in, light it and enjoy.
    • Papers/Wraps - While a joint was the most common way to consume cannabis in the 70's, today, the classic is still very much so alive. Back then, regular papers were simply made out of paper. Today you can find many variations in papers from hemp wraps, entire plant leaves, tobacco wraps, and even a pre rolls (already rolled joint) in most dispensaries!
    • Other devices - Bong, bubbler, one hitter, dabber, apple, you name it, it’s probably been used as a way to consume cannabis. There are many little devices out there that can used and readily available to the average consumer.

 

  1. Vaporize - Vaporizing is the best for those who are just starting to smoke or those more health conscious about smoking. A vaporizer steadily heats herbs to a temperature that is high enough to extract THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, but the temperatures are too low for the potentially harmful toxins that are released during combustion. This method can be done either with concentrates or flower. This is also a great way to ease-into a high due to the little amount needed to feel an effect. (Photo Source: Pexel)

 

  1. Oral - This is when the cannabis is consumed by either drinking or eating. This way of using cannabis can create a very different effect when it comes to the actual high. Since the cannabis is metabolized in the liver, and then goes into the bloodstream it creates, usually, a more powerful body-high and possibly more psychoactive effects. Below are a few different ways to ingest cannabis.
  • Tinctures - A tincture is a liquid cannabis extract, usually used for controlled dosing and fast-acting effects without health risks of inhaling. A tincture is usually created with an alcohol as the solvent but can also be an oil or fat-soluble base. Usually this product comes in a little bottle with a dropper. You then take the dose needed and usually placed under the tongue where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. (Photo Source: Pexel)
  • Oils/Capsules - This is the in-between edibles and concentrates high. It is often an oil, ingested like an edible or used as a tincture. The most common known oil is RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) which is made by extracting the therapeutic component of cannabis and leaving the tar-like substance behind.
  • Edibles - The term edibles is literally what it means, a cannabis product you can eat. This is where cannabis was cooked into a food or drink by either a butter, oil or simply itself and then consumed.

 

  1. Topicals - Topicals use full cannabis extract, a thick oil that has been decarboxylated to activate cannabinoids. It does not affect you the same way as ingesting cannabis does. Topicals are usually lotions or oils that are absorbed through your skin rather than the bloodstream. This use of cannabis does not provide psychoactive effects, but more so relief of aches and pains. (Photo Source: Pexel)