Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Cannabis Consumption Methods
Cannabis can be consumed in a number of different ways depending on your personal preference such as: smoking, vaporizing, edible / ingestible, topicals, and patches / transdermal use. In this glossary of terms, we cover the different methods of consumption methods, their effects, and a proper dosage to begin.
Smoking:
Cannabis can be ground up and smoked in numerous ways using a flame with the use of certain devices such as: bowls, bongs, joints, blunts, and so on. Cannabis smoke is pungent and will be detectable for an extended period of time.
Effects of smoking take place in 5-10 minutes and typically last 2-3 hours.
Vaporizing:
You can use vaporizers, vape pens, and kits. Vape pens can be used for cannabis concentrates, oils, and or dry herb. Vaporizers heat the cannabis product without burning it. Vapor, as opposed to smoke, is easier on the lungs and is considered healthier than smoking. There’s a wide variety of vape tools on the market.
Vaporizers can be used to smoke a variety of cannabis. This is a more discrete method of consumption and a healthier alternative. Effects are felt 5-10 minutes and typically last 2-3 hours.
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Different Methods of Cannabis Consumption
Flower
Flower, also known as weed, refers to the smokable, trichome-enriched part of a cannabis plant. Due to its versatility, flower, offers numerous ways of consumption methods, such as being smoked using a pipe or bong, or by rolling it in a joint or blunt. It can also be rolled into a joint or blunt and even used for cooking.
Effects can be felt within 5-10 minutes and can last anywhere from 2-3 hours
Ingestible
Ingestibles are also called edibles. Cannabis products can be ingested in many forms. Ingestibles are something you can eat, drink, or ingest in some way that is infused with cannabis oils. They are typically cube shaped, gummy like in texture, yet there are drinks, teas, coffees, elixirs, and more that can be produced in several ways. Ingestibles can be found in varying CBD: THC ratios as well as just THC.
It’s important to know that if you are a patient that is interested in edibles or any ingestible, that you need to start low and slow. It’s recommended that you start with 1-5mg of THC because you can always add but you can't subtract what you ingest.
Effects can be felt 30 minutes – 2 hours after consumption. Effects will last 2-4 hours yet keep in mind this will vary with each patient.
Ingestible: Drinks
Infused liquids take extra time to break down since they pass through the gastrointestinal tract and liver before they reach the bloodstream.
Drink effects can feel different from smoking the cannabis due to your bodies process of metabolizing.
Effects are felt 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption and will last 3-4 hours.
Ingestible: Tablets
Available in different varieties resulting in different effects. Tablets can be chewed and swallowed or absorbed sublingually. In addition, tablets are discrete and a great option for non-smokers
Effects of tablets can be felt in 30-60 minutes and can last 2-4 hours.
Concentrates
Concentrates are oils that come from the cannabis plant and are typically more 3-5 times more potent than flower. There are many cannabis concentrates in a variety of formats and textures such as shatter, crumble, and sugar. Concentrates are made in a variety of different ways and it depends on the type of cannabis plant material being used, the processing technique, the resulting textures, and the intended consumption method.
Concentrates: Solvent-Based
Concentrates that use a solvent (i.e. liquid) to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from marijuana. Some examples of solvent-based concentrates are shatter, crumble, badder, and live resin.
Concentrates: Solventless
Concentrates that do not require a solvent to be created. Some examples of solventless concentrates are kief, rosin, and crystalline also called diamonds.
Effects are felt fairly instantly and the effects can last anywhere from 2-3 hours.
Cartridges
Also known as ‘carts’, are pre-filled container of cannabis oil or concentrate designed for use with an e-cigarette or vape rig. Carts are easier on the lungs and it heats product without burning it. Cartridges are typically considered ‘5-10 thread’. Cartridges are a great place to start for patients who want to get into dabbing to start as the potency of cartridges is more in line with dabbing than flower.
Effects from a cartridge can be felt within 5-10minutes and can last 2-3 hours.
Topicals
Anything that you apply to your skin like cannabis-infused lotions, balms, salves, bath soaks, oil, or dermal patches. Topicals are effective in relieving pain and inflammation. Because the cannabis does not enter the bloodstream, with topical use psychoactive effects are not felt.
Effects are fast acting and offer localized effects that start within 30min –2hrs and last 15min – 1 hour. Again, it’s important to note that each person will have varying effect.
Topicals: Patches & Transdermal
There are several products that can be utilized through transdermal consumption. Transdermal although applied topically are very discrete and offer a greater effect medicinally. Transdermal medications are applied to the skin but involve skin penetration enhancing compounds or technology that increase the amount of drug that can cross the skin barrier. The drug can enter the systemic circulation and exert effects in areas other than the site of application.
Effects may last 8-12 hours which make them great for extended release.
Tinctures
Tinctures essentially are alcohol-based cannabis extracts. Tinctures are very similar to concentrates and oils. They are a great entry point for medical consumers looking to ease into smokeless consumption methods. Tinctures are great because they can be added to a beverage or food-item and can be ingested sublingually.
The main reasons a patient may be interested in tinctures are the fewer calories, discretion, non-smokers, faster onset, and it’s precise dosing (dose according to product). It’s important to note that one of the most efficient ways to absorb cannabis is through the mucosal lining of the mouth known as sublingual consumption. Because of this reasoning, we recommend that you use your tincture directly under your tongue, hold it for 30-60 seconds, then swallow.
Effects can be felt in 30-60 minutes. Effects will last 2-4 hours, yet keep in mind this will vary with each patient.
RSO
Rick Simpson Oil, or RSO is named after Rick Simpson who created this product to help treat his type of cancer. RSO is a cannabis concentrate used for many different medical benefits, including relieving cancer symptoms. It’s a thick, syrupy consistency and can be applied as a topical or ingested in food or drinks.
This is a whole plant extract which contains most of the components found in the plant, using 99% isopropyl alcohol. This technique of extracting combines THC with the therapeutic cannabinoids including CBD, CBN, CBG and it allows for a greater medical effect.
It’s intended to be consumed sublingually, however the taste can be very bitter so patients may choose to mix with food. It also can be used as a topical for wounds.
Effects can be felt within 5-10 minutes and can last anywhere from 2-8 hours.
Dosing for Cancer Patient
Week 1: Start with 3 doses daily, about half the size of a short grain of rice.
Weeks 2-5: At week 2, you will double your intake every 4 days.
Weeks 5-12: You should now be able to consume 1 gram per day. Ingest 1 gram/day until your 60 gram supply is gone.
If you have any questions about consumption, methods, or dosing, call us at 410-624-5520 to speak with a budtender today!