How to Use Cannabis

Tinctures

CBD hemp oil tinctures contain full spectrum, broad spectrum or CBD isolate in a plant-based carrier oil. If you’re purchasing a tincture through a dispensary, read the label. Some of these tinctures may contain the medical yet psychoactive cannabinoid THC. 

Tinctures are available in different strengths and typically come in dropper bottles, making it easy to adjust your dose. They can be used by placing drops under your tongue. Some of the plant compounds will be absorbed directly into your bloodstream as a sublingual if the product is designed that way. That being said, most of the product is absorbed through swallowing. Tinctures also work well mixed into already prepared foods like sauces and soups, or warm beverages like coffee or tea. Tinctures are only for oral consumption.

When it comes to tinctures, think of the carrier oil as the vehicle that the cannabinoids travel in to enter your system. 

Coconut or palm medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil are both highly effective. These are the most common carriers for tinctures because they contain smaller fatty acid molecules which are easily absorbed. 

Myriam’s Hemp Tincture (MCT oil carrier)

Tablets & Capsules

Tablets and capsules containing THC or CBD provide a discrete, highly portable option. Soft gel capsules contain THC and CBD hemp in carrier oil, similar to tinctures. The carrier oil becomes especially important in these products, impacting how much of the CBD will be absorbed after the soft gel enters the digestive system. Capsules containing MCT oil or olive oil are especially effective.

Tablets are another popular option for using cannabis or CBD. This option is great because it resembles medications that patients are used to, like ibuprofen. Tablets and capsules are easy to use, discreet and familiar.

There are also sublingual tablets that dissolve under your tongue. Sublingual tablets work faster than swallowed pills since they are designed to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Edibles

Edibles are a broad category containing anything…edible. This includes gummies, mints, chocolate, infused beverages and more.

Edibles face challenges moving through our digestive system. The THC, CBD and other plant compounds in edibles take time to reach the endocannabinoid’s CB1 and CB2 receptors via the intestinal tract.

When someone eats THC, only 4% to 12% gets into their bloodstream. Eating a meal also affects the absorption of cannabinoids. A study from pharmacologists at the University of Minnesota examined how eating a meal affects the absorption of CBD.

Also, edibles take longer to kick in. Many new users quickly decide that a single dose didn’t work and eat more. This can lead to an unwanted “high” several hours later when multiple doses suddenly take effect. We suggest that you wait at least two hours after eating an edible dose before deciding whether you need more.

Also, double-check the product label for dosage. In the non-cannabis realm, we’re used to the idea that one candy bar equals one serving. However, when it comes to products containing THC or CBD, the serving size is often a lot smaller.

Topicals

Topicals encompass a rapidly growing category that includes creams, gels, salves, and beauty products. The name implies that they are topically applied to your skin.

CBD topicals may work well for you if you are concerned about medication interactions. It’s also a popular option for people with arthritis who are seeking spot relief, as well as athletes looking for post-workout recovery.

Topicals that combine CBD and THC are a popular choice, as well as THC-only products. These are only available at dispensaries in states that have legalized cannabis.

Many of these products include a blend of essential oils and plant terpenes designed for localized pain relief, inflammation or improved pleasure with intimacy. THC topicals may include bath salts, massage oils, and creams. The cannabinoids in topical products interact with CB2 receptors in your skin but are not absorbed deeply enough to impact CB1 receptors. This means that they are very unlikely to deliver impairing effects. One exception to this is when topicals containing THC are considered “transdermal” or applied to mucous membranes. This includes mouth, nostrils, vulva or rectal tissues. Read more on transdermal products below.

Transdermal Patches and Pens

You might think that transdermal patches or gels are topical, since the medicine is absorbed into your skin. However, transdermal products provide a unique delivery through the skin. This method provides controlled release of cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream over a set period of time.

Transdermal drug delivery has a great advantage over oral administration. It avoids digestion and absorption of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, transdermal delivery largely reduces drug toxicity and bypasses the first effect of drug absorption. This means more cannabinoids make their way into your bloodstream.

Inhaling cannabis and CBD Hemp Flower

For many people, the first image that comes to mind when they hear “cannabis” is the plant flower that is smoked. In fact, the odds are that if you’re over the age of 30, your first experience with cannabis was smoking plant flower.

The cannabis plant has been smoked by humans since ancient times. Its status as an illegal substance in the United States is a tiny blip in time, when compared to its use throughout history. For many people, cannabis or CBD hemp flower remain their top choice for consumption.

Cannabis flower and CBD hemp flower is minimally processed and provides a range of plant benefits. Many different flower strains are available in the states with legal cannabis. Cannabis strains (chemovars) offer different ratios of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids. In addition, cannabis and hemp flower strains provide a range of terpene profiles that can add to the plant’s synergistic entourage effect.

Inhaling cannabis or CBD hemp flower, whether through smoking or vaping, provides a quick onset of the plant’s benefits. Smoking is also an integral part of cannabis culture used as a ritual for communities to come together socially. 

Flower can be smoked with a bong or water pipe, with the flower placed into a bowl and ignited by flame. The smoke then passes through water, which cools it before being inhaled. Flower may also be smoked with a pipe.

You can roll cannabis flower into joints or buy pre-rolled joints. Pre-rolls provide a cheaper, easier option for sampling different strains.

Pay attention to any added ingredients as well. Some pre-rolls include added hash oil or kief to increase potency.

When you put a flame on a joint or bowl, you heat the flower to a point where the plant cannabinoids and terpenes combust into smoke so they can be inhaled. However, you’re also creating other combustion byproducts that carry their own side effects. While smoking is effective, it carries more risks and side effects than other methods of consumption.

Vaping cannabis and CBD Hemp

Vaping provides many of the benefits of smoking cannabis, without the concerns about combustion-related byproducts.

That being said, vaping-associated illnesses were in the headlines throughout much of 2019. The source of illness was narrowed down to illegal market vape cartridges which often contained vitamin E acetate or other contaminants. We previously shared our insights into the crisis in this blog post. 

At Leaf411, we believe that vaping flower can provide a highly effective, fast-acting option for some people in need of a treatment option for pain or anxiety/panic attacks. However, we encourage you to seek advice from a qualified cannabis clinician for specific dosing recommendations. 

Desktop and portable dry herb vaporizers are designed specifically for flower. These vapes don’t ignite the plant material with flame. Instead, they cook it, releasing the cannabinoids and terpenes in a vapor mist instead of smoke. This creates a smoother inhalation experience. Many dry herb vaporizers also let the user control the temperature, which impacts which cannabinoids and terpenes are released.

Although most medical practitioners will suggest only vaping flower, reputable vape oil devices can provide an even more customized experience, with a wide range of products available. Some vapes even connect to smartphone apps, much like a FitBit, allowing you to track your favorite products, temperature ranges and doses.

A word of caution, vape cartridges may also contain additional additives and thinning agents to improve performance in vape devices. It’s important to check vape cartridge ingredients to ensure that the cartridge doesn’t contain vitamin E acetate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol (PG), MCT oil, coconut oil or any other emulsifiers or synthetic agents. You can find additional tips for selecting a safe vape here.

The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.