Ingestion – Cannology

Inhalation

Smoking

Pack a small amount of dried (cured) cannabis flower into a pipe, water pipe (bong) or rolling paper (to create a “joint”). Then, hold a flame to the cannabis flower until it combusts as you inhale the smoke from the mouthpiece or other end of joint. Dosage: Start small—inhale lightly. There is no need to hold smoke in your lungs, exhale immediately. Wait a few minutes; if you don’t feel the desired effect, or you want to feel a greater effect, take another inhale.

Pros

• Delivers instant relief

• Fairly easy to regulate dosage

• Inexpensive

• Minimally processed

Cons

• Smoke may be harmful to lungs. Studies have reached contradictory conclusions about whether and to what extent cannabis may cause lung damage, but combustion of any substance makes it harder to breathe

• In many cases, not a good option for anyone with pulmonary damage (lung cancer, emphysema) or asthma

-Will make you smell like cannabis smoke

Vaporizing (Vaping)

Preheat the vaporizer to the recommended temperature. Insert a small amount of dired (cured) cannabis flower or extract into a vaporizer. Press the button and inhale. The cannabis will be heated to a temperature below its combustion point, but still hot enough to release the medicinal compounds. Vaporizers are available in many sizes and shapes, from large desktop units to pocket-sized pens. Dosage: As with smoking, start with one small inhalation, and see how you feel. Wait a few minutes; if you don’t feel the desired effect, or you want to feel a greater effect, take another inhale.

Pros

• Delivers instant relief

• Less harsh on lungs than smoking

• Fairly easy to regulate dosage

Cons

• Wall-plug powered vaporizers can be very expensive

• Battery powered units must recharge regularly

Dabbing

A “dab” is a cannabis concentrate (hash, oil, budder, shatter, wax, etc.) that you heat to a high temperature and inhale. The delivery devices vary, some vaporizers can be used, but most set-ups tend to be complicated and involve a torch. Dosage: Consult with your doctor prior to trying dabbing. Start with just one small “hit,” but know that it will have extremely strong psychoactive effects.

Pros

• Useful for urgent medication of acute illnesses, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients, or acute pain in palliative patients

• May be more cost efficient for patients who need high THC levels

• Provides instant relief

Cons

• In addition to the pulmonary concerns with smoking, concentrates are a higher risk of containing harmful chemicals

• Solvents are used to extract the medicinal chemicals, and they may not be properly removed

• May cause overdose that, while never fatal, can be unpleasant and uncomfortable

• Devices are difficult to use

Oral and Anal Ingestion

Edible

In many cultures, people prefer to ingest marijuana by eating or drinking it. This method completely removes all lung irritations associated with inhaling smoke. Edibles-in the form of cookies, candies, power bars, popcorn. Edibles take longer to reach their full effect. Dosage: Only use edibles under the supervision of a doctor. Dosages vary widely depending on your weight, metabolism, experience, and other factors. We suggest starting with a small amount, 10mg or less (one dose in Colorado), and waiting at least one hour before assessing effects and possibly eating more.

Pros

• Provides long-lasting relief

• Good alternative for people averse to inhaling their medicine

• You get extra calories

• Dosage can be precise if you get it from a reliable source and know how much you need

Drink

The active ingredients in medical marijuana can be infused into various liquids and then made into drinks. Because cannabinoids are not water soluble, making drinkable medical marijuana is not a simple matter of brewing up a tea. Med. Marijuana drinks are most often either alcohol or milk (fat) based. Cannabinoids are extracted into alcohol by steeping the plant material in a high proof alcohol for several days. Consult your physician before consuming alcoholic beverages. Dosage: Either measure out exact amount you need for your particular dose (if your doctor has been specific with you), or estimate around 10mg for starting dose. Wait at least an hour, before deciding whether to drink more.

Pros

• Provides long-lasting relief

• Good alternative for people averse to inhaling their medicine

• Many beverages are medicated to give a specific feeling, such as stress relief or energy

Cons

• Can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours to kick in

• Dosage can be difficult unless you pre-measure your sips

• Causes a different feeling than smoking, which some patients prefer and others do not like

Suppositories

Medical marijuana can be easily converted into suppository form. Medical marijuana suppositories are well suited for patients who are unable to eat or smoke medical marijuana. Keep them labeled and in the refrigerator. Anal suppositories are common, but caution must be used, as when medicinal compounds from cannabis are absorbed through the rectum, the effects are far more concentrated than if absorbed orally. Dosage: Most suppositories are dosed for extreme cases; most come in two sizes: 2g for adults, 1g for children. But, always consult a doctor about dosage before beginning suppository treatment.

Pros

• Can help patients who are to nauseated to hold down edible and too sick to smoke

• Can help kill tumors or cancer cells more effectively because the concentration is higher

• Kicks in quickly and lasts a long time

• More efficient—up to 70 percent of cannabinoids are bioavailable

Cons

• Difficult and sometimes embarrassing to administer

• Must be kept refrigerated so suppositories don’t melt

• Risk of slippage

Topical Absorption

Medical cannabis tinctures, salves, transdermal patches, ointments and sprays are a great way to medicate without any psychoactive effects. They are great for arthritis, chapped skin, eczema, minor burns, muscles soreness, sunburns, swellings, joint pain, tendonitis, and many other conditions. Dosage: You’re unlikely to have any trouble with dosing topical, but do try to find ones that are aimed at your specific ailment. Use salves and ointments as much as you see fit, keeping in mind that they can get greasy. If you experience skin irritation, discontinue use.

Pros

• Topicals don’t get you “high”

• The only forms of cannabis medicine that truly address skin issues

• Localized pain relief

Cons

• Not particularly helpful with more serious ailments such as cancer, PTSD, epilepsy or glaucoma

• Does not provide a euphoric feeling

• Patients report some products simply don’t work