When you are just starting out on your journey with medical cannabis, there is a LOT to learn! One of the biggest topics to understand is all the different forms of medical cannabis that are legal and available to you in the state of Utah.
Here is everything you need to know about the 6 basic consumption methods available in the Beehive state and at WholesomeCo.
Vape cartridges
Onset: immediate
Duration:1-3 hours
Vaping using a cartridge is one of the most common dosing methods to achieve immediate relief. Many people who suffer from acute pain, nausea, or PTSD opt to use this method. This is because vaped cannabis is absorbed straight into the bloodstream via the lungs. The effects of vape cartridge cannabis happen immediately and can last anywhere from one to three hours.
Vape cartridges containing cannabis oil are typically used with battery-powered vape pens. This battery is used to power the “atomizer.” This is a small unit that heats the liquid in the cartridge as well as a “wick” that is meant to draw it up into the unit.
Advantages
- More convenient and easier to use compared to using flower in a dry herb vaporizer
- Onset is immediate
- Titration is easy to monitor and adjust (Titration is the process of finding just the right amount of medical cannabis that works for you.)
- No harmful byproducts from smoking
- Cooler and less irritating mist instead of smoke
- Less messy compared to vaporizing flower
Disadvantages
- Depending on the processor and extraction method there may not be as many cannabinoids and terpenes compared to vaporizing flower
- Inexpensive batteries can clog or malfunction cartridges
- There may be additives that can cause irritation (WholesomeCo ensures that all brands we carry are of the highest quality and completely free from artificial additives)
How Do I Use a Vape Cartridge?
If you are used to smoking cannabis, you will notice that vaping is quite different. What comes out of a vape is not smoke, but fine, cool steam or “mist.” You will also notice that this steam has little or no aroma.
In order to safely and effectively use a “vape cart,” first make sure the battery is fully charged. Then attach the cartridge to the battery unit (i.e., the pen body). Next, inhale the cool steam into your lungs. For most effectiveness, hold the steam in your lungs for about three seconds before exhaling. You can leave the cartridge attached to the battery in preparation for your next use.
Step-by-step
- Make sure the battery is charged
- Attach the cartridge to the battery
- Inhale...Hold for 3 seconds...Exhale
- You will notice you exhale a mist with very little smell
- You can leave the cartridge attached to the battery until your next use
Onset: 1.5 to 2 hours
Duration: 6 to 10 hours
Edibles include gelatinous cubes, tablets and capsules. When digested, cannabinoids are broken down in the gastrointestinal tract and then metabolised by the liver before entering the bloodstream. This metabolism of THC in the liver can produce a greater psychoactive effect.
Advantages
- Long duration and stronger effects
- Dosing may to easier to consume compared to other dosage forms
Disadvantages
- Onset of effects is delayed considerably by absorption through the digestive system
- Most are made with sugar and ingredients that may be food allergens
- It's easy to over-consume due to the long onset time
- Dose titration is difficult
- High risk of accidental cannabis poisoning to children and pets - store edibles in a locked safe
- Increased risk for drug interactions since
- Heavily metabolized by the liver
How much should I take?
- Start low and go slow
- Too small a dose produces no relief and too large a dose can produce extreme psychoactivity causing paranoia and discomfort
- Because of the long onset time it may take several attempts to find the optimal dose
- Start with 1/2 of a gelatinous cube
- New users should start with 1-5mg
- Experienced users typical dose is 5-10mg
- Do not mix with alcohol or other substances
- Consuming edibles on an empty stomach may intensify effects
Tinctures, sprays, sublingual drops
Duration: 2-8 hours
The effects of oral mucosal delivery are felt more quickly than edibles but not as quick as inhalation. These are absorbed best under the tongue and absorb directly into the bloodstream.
Advantages
- Easy to use and titrate
- Cannabinoids and terpenes are included in some formulations
- Can be added to food or drinks
- Long shelf-life and flexibility in dosing
- Discreet and portable
Disadvantages
- Delayed onset if swallowed or added to food or drink
- If you have allergies to carrier oils use caution
How to use
- Start low and go slow
- When trying a new product it's always best to start with a small amount (0.1ml - 0.25ml) and increase the dose every 3 days until you get the desired effect
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a recommended starting dose
- Drop or spray under the tongue or between the gums and cheek where a huge number of blood vessels reside, and keep it there for a few minutes before swallowing
- Avoid drinking or eating anything for 10 minutes following administration
Topical cannabis
Duration: 30 minutes to 3 hours
Topicals are often used for localized application of medical cannabis. Topical applications other than patches do not provide psychoactive effects. Cannabinoids react with receptors under the skin, but they do not reach the bloodstream.
Mechanism of action: cannabinoids like thc and cbd cross the skin
Barrier and bind to cb1 and cb2 receptors
How to use:
Apply directly to the affected area. Apply a small amount of ointment, salve, cream, or lotion to clean dry skin avoiding mucous membranes. Rub in. Wash hands after use.
Flower
Onset: immediate
Duration: 1-3 hours
Vaporizing uses a stream of heated air to vaporize the active ingredients in cannabis flower without combustion. Cannabinoids are then absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs.
Cannabis flower is identified by strain names. The strain names can give us clues to a strain's genetics. You can get more detailed information about the cannabinoid and terpene profiles by looking at lab testing on the labels.
Advantages
- Onset is immediate
- Less irritating compared to smoking
- Titration is easy to monitor and adjust
- No harmful byproducts from smoking
- Vaporizing flower allows access to more cannabinoids compared to smoking
- Vaporizing is more efficient because less medication is lost in the air compared to smoking
- Vaporizing flower allows you to access the full spectrum of the plant
- Higher quality devices are easily cleaned with ethanol
Disadvantages
- Patients need to learn how to use their machine
- Higher initial investment (although it usually pays off in the long run)
- Vaporizers must be cleaned and maintained
- Lower quality vaporizers must be replaced once clogged
How to vaporize flower
- Select your desired strain
- Grind your flower and pack the desired amount into your dry herb vaporizer
- Turn it on and select your temperature
- After it's ready...Inhale. Hold for 3 seconds. Then exhale
- After the flower has been vaporized you will notice it turns a brown color
- New patients are advised to wait 15 minutes between inhalations
Aerosols
Onset: 15 min to 1 hour
Duration: 4 to 6 hours but could last longer based on multiple variables
Aerosols administer medication directly into the airway and lungs. An aerosol is a suspension of liquid and/or solid particles, usually administered by a medical device like an inhaler or nasal spray.
Advantages
- Discreet
- Easy to use
- No heat, no smoke, no hot vapor
- Odorless
- Less irritation in the throat
Disadvantages
- Onset and duration can vary based on multiple factors
- Titration may be difficult
