Cannabis consumers are becoming more curious about utilizing novel ways of indulging their plant. Such innovations include vape pens, edibles and topicals – innovative approaches that offer various levels of consumption for consumers.
Vaporizers use lower temperatures than smoking to heat herb, thus retaining its original flavour while taking less weed to get high. Patients using vaporizers report feeling more relaxed after their experience using one.
Vaporizers
Vaporizers use heat to convert dried cannabis or cannabis extracts to temperatures that release cannabinoids and terpenes for inhalation, providing a less harmful alternative to smoking and decreasing exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and irritants.
Hookah pipes use water filtration to soften and cool smoke for a more enjoyable smoking experience, especially for medical users looking for ways to circumvent “highs”. Medical users especially can take advantage of hookah products’ water filter technology to titrate cannabis intake according to desired effects and side-step the “high”.
Edibles are discreet and convenient ways of consuming cannabis, providing a discreet means of consumption. However, their effects can take up to two hours to take effect, and individual metabolism varies; for this reason titration should always be used when starting with edibles; starting off small is key for optimal success.
Edibles
Cannabis-infused edibles offer a discrete and long-acting way of taking cannabis, whether homemade or purchased from a dispensary. There’s a wide selection of flavors to choose from including chocolate bars, gummies and baked goods; you could also add them into beverages such as lemonade, coffee or iced tea to create cannabis-infused beverages.
Smoking cannabis through a pipe or joint exposes lungs to harmful toxins that can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. Furthermore, smoking causes shortness of breath and damage to both lung and heart tissues over time.
Vaporizers, devices that heat cannabis concentrates to temperatures that release cannabinoids and terpenes without combustion, have become an increasingly popular alternative to smoking. Users report reduced exposure to harmful toxins such as CO and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as an enjoyable and discreet experience when used with devices that eliminate smoke odor. Furthermore, this product may provide quick and portable relief than smoking could otherwise.
Tinctures
Tinctures are an easy, quick-acting method of cannabis consumption that can be taken sublingually (under the tongue). Unlike edibles which must first be decarboxylated and processed by your digestive tract and liver before entering your bloodstream, tinctures work quickly by bypassing this step – usually within 15-30 minutes and lasting longer than an edible.
To create a tincture, raw cannabis must first be soaked in food-grade alcohol or glycerin for several days until its cannabinoids and terpenes have been extracted into liquid form. Once extracted, it can then be strained out and bottle for use as desired – straight consumption or added into drinks/food with regular droppers is acceptable, while homemade edibles with precise dosing capabilities could use this form as well. Tinctures also make an effective localized pain relief option that offers consistent dosing over time – perfect for medical patients requiring long term doses!
Topicals
Cannabis topicals consist of balms, oils, salves and sprays designed for direct skin application. While they don’t produce psychoactive effects due to avoiding bloodstream absorption and crossing the blood/brain barrier, these products do provide targeted pain and inflammation relief.
Edibles are food or drinks infused with cannabis that provide discreet consumption with longer-acting effects than smoking. Edibles come in many forms including gummies and chocolate; sublingual tinctures offer faster absorption rates.
As with any method of cannabis consumption, starting slowly and steadily is advised. Start off slowly by trying one method at a time until you find what works for your unique body and endocannabinoid system; if unsure, consult a trained marijuana specialist who can guide your experience.