Delivery methods are the first thing you must learn about after you qualify your medical marijuana evaluation. Because if you don’t know how to use cannabis, how will you decide between a tincture and a bag of cannabis-infused gummies? Each product affects your body differently and so you cannot make a choice in a medical dispensary like you would in a supermarket.
Now, it’s more than likely that you have some idea about joints and vape pens because that’s what popular culture has made prevalent. But, smoking isn’t a valid option for many and neither is it a preference for people who want to be discreet or avoid smoke-related health issues. So what do you do? You choose from other non-smokable options. Not a lot of beginners are aware of the variety of delivery methods that exist beyond joints, bings and electric vape pens. So here’s an introduction to 6 ways of using cannabis that does not involve smoke.
Edibles
The first alternative to smoking cannabis that comes to mind are edibles. You may have heard of or watched in movies about the classic brownies that makes everyone go bonkers. That’s one of the many varieties of edibles. But those were used recreationally and were meant for an intense high. If made correctly, you can also use edibles for medical uses. The difference is that when you buy them from dispensaries, they are very accurately dosed so you are aware of how much you are consuming with one brownie. And not just brownies, nowadays, every food that you can name has a cannabis version. Medical dispensaries across California have cannabis popcorns, gummies, chocolates, cookies and many other varieties.
And if that’s not enough, you can make your own. It can be a little difficult to dose edibles at home but once you get a hang of it, you’ll be able to take your daily dose in a delicious recipe every day. All you have to do is nail the cannabis infusions like canna oil and cannabutter. You can then replace your cooking oil with these infusions and make anything, from steak and salad to pancakes and avocado toast, a part of your daily dose.
Just remember to be very careful with your dose before using edibles. It is very common to overdose with edibles, especially among beginners. Practice microdosing and go as slowly as you can with your dosage. And if possible, consume it under the supervision of a trustworthy person just to be safe.
Sublingual
One of the major reasons why people prefer smoking is because it delivers effects almost instantly. Edibles, on the other hand, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours to show any effects on the body. So if you want to avoid the smoke but want a quicker onset than edibles, sublingual methods are the best option.
Sublinguals are different from smoking and edibles because it involves neither the respiratory system nor the digestive system. So you are safe from respiratory problems as well as slow-onset and strong high caused by the digestive processes.
Sublingual products are used by placing them under the tongue. These are absorbed by the oral mucosa or porous absorbing membranes that exist beneath your tongue. They deliver the cannabinoids directly to the bloodstream without the involvement of any other organs or processes. This is why the sublingual methods work within a few minutes.
You can find sublingual products in the form of tinctures and CBD or THC sublingual strips. If you are using strips, you are opting for a very safe option as these contain a very small dose of about 5 to 10 milligrams per strip. It helps to control the dose better as well as maintain the taste.
Transdermal Patches
Transdermal patches are the preferred choice of people who wish to keep their business private while consuming their daily dose. If you haven’t heard much about cannabis patches, it’s because these weren’t a thing until recently. Though transdermal patches were being used in medicine since the 1970s, it’s use as a cannabis product is a recent development.
Transdermal patches are just patches infused with cannabinoids. You apply them to one of your veinous areas like knees, wrists or lower abdomen and go about your day without any troubles. It works gradually throughout the day so you don’t have to take your dose all at once. Also, this method works by transferring the cannabinoids (mostly CBD) from the patch into your bloodstream through your skin membranes. As a result, it will not cause the characteristic high of cannabis.
Raw Cannabis
Not a lot of people know that cannabis can also be consumed raw. You can munch on the leaves and seeds and get all the medical benefits without having to roll a joint or make an edible.
Raw cannabis contains THC and CBD in their acid form, THCA and CBDA respectively. These acids have their own set of medical properties and are also non-intoxicating. They have anti-inflammatory, antiemetic and pain-relieving and anxiety reducing effects on the body. In addition to this, raw cannabis is a superfood that will meet most of your nutrient requirements. It is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and chlorophyll. Having a cannabis salad or a smoothie once a day can be a healthy choice. If you have a medical cannabis card, you can even grow your own cannabis at home and enjoy it raw and fresh from your garden.
Beverages
Cannabis beverages are the new additions in the market. So along with quenching your thirst, you can also get the medicinal benefits. They come as lemonades, teas, tonics, coffee, sodas and many more. And if you can choose from a wide range of flavors, dose strength and strains. You can even make these beverages at home. In only a few minutes, you will have a cup of cannabis-infused tea that you can sip on while watching your favorite TV show.
Beverages are also considered to be a quicker way of experiencing effects by ingesting cannabis. The liquid form makes it easier to digest and be absorbed in the body. So if you are on the go but have to take your daily dose, consider using beverages as a delivery method.
Topicals
The cannabis market is filled with a number of cannabis topicals. They are either in the form of oil, lotions, balms or creams. Cannabis topicals are very effective for inflammation like skin rash or swelling and pain. You can directly apply them to the affected area and find relief. But one thing to remember with cannabis topicals is that they are only meant to provide localized relief. So if you apply it on your swollen feet, it will only deliver therapeutic effects on your feet. In addition to this, cannabis topicals do not produce any euphoric high. So if you are looking to experience the cannabis high but without the smoke, your best options would be edibles, sublinguals and cannabis beverages.
Along with cannabinoids, cannabis topical can also contain terpenes and even essential oils to increase the spectrum of effects. So if your condition allows, you must try using cannabis topicals for relief.
Don’t like smoke? Don’t worry. Now you have 6 different delivery methods to choose from that will give you the benefits of cannabis without having to deal with smoke. So which one will you choose?