Cannabis can be consumed in many different ways, each of which offers its own set of benefits and drawbacks. With a growing acceptance of cannabis as a safe and health beneficial substance, this has led to an increase in the ways in which it can be consumed.
Want To Learn How To Consume Cannabis?
If you are interested in trying cannabis, there are many popular ways to consume it. Smoking or combustion is by far the most common method of cannabis consumption, with joints, pipes, and bongs being popular options. However, smoking can be harsh on the lungs and may not be suitable for those with respiratory issues. With that in mind, let’s discuss the most common ways to consume your medicinal herbs.
In this article, we’ll go through the top 8 ways that people often consume cannabis. Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite! So let’s learn how to consume cannabis!
Rolled, Twisted, or Spun In A Joint / Blunt
A joint or blunt is perhaps the oldest and most popular way of consuming cannabis. It is a simple, straightforward and fast way of smoking marijuana. There are several steps that need to be taken in order to roll a joint and it does take practice to get the hang of it. And there’s even several different ways to roll up your finest herb!
Joints and blunts both involve breaking up the flower and packing it tightly into a paper of your choice, usually either rolling paper, cigar wrap, or hemp wrap. Rolling papers come in a variety of sizes, from the large and thin king-size papers to the shorter, wide golf-size papers. The larger papers are usually used for beginner joint rollers (less paper consumption is less harmful), but can also be used to roll bigger joints. Rolling the paper or wraps can be a bit tricky and it does take practice. However, once you get the hang of it, rolling joints and blunts is relatively simple and straightforward.
Pack That Weed or Hash In A Pipe Or Bong
Smoking cannabis in a bong or pipe is a popular way of consuming marijuana. Bongs and pipes are made up of a chamber, a body and a bowl (and sometimes a carb or choke). You need to pack the bowl with ground flower and then combust it. Bongs and pipes give you a lot of control over how much and how quickly you can consume your cannabis. The biggest advantage of this method of consumption is that you don’t need to re-roll a joint or blunt every time you want to smoke. In addition, bongs and pipes are generally more aromatic than joints, as you can pack a fresh green rip, each time, preserving ultimate flavor.
If you choose a bong or a water pipe, you also have an additional filtration system. As you draw a rip through the bong or water pipe, the smoke is filtered through the water chamber and is cooled down, giving you a smoother hit. However, bongs and pipes require more maintenance than joint smoking, as they require frequent cleaning. The cleaning process in itself can be very messy, but is very rewarding once you take that first rip out of a freshly cleaned pipe or bong.
Vaporizing Cannabis Consumption
Vaporizing is the process of heating up cannabis flower or concentrate to the point of release, but not combustion. This means that you are able to release the cannabinoids and terpenes from the flower or concentrate without burning it. Vaporizing allows you to get the most out of your cannabis as it preserves the volatile components such as terpenes and cannabinoids. You can set a specific temperature based on your personal vaping preferences. You can learn more about vape temperatures here.
Vaporizers come in a variety of styles, from desktop units to portable units. Portable vaporizers typically use conduction or convection heating to heat up the cannabis. With conduction heating, the cannabis is heated directly by contact with the hot surface. With convection heating, the cannabis is heated indirectly by hot air that is circulated around and through the cannabis flower or concentrate.
Vaporizing allows the user to enjoy almost all of the effects of cannabis without any of the harmful carcinogenic by-products of combustion. In addition, it is relatively discreet, as there is no smoke and the scent is significantly reduced.
How To Consume Cannabis With Edibles?
Another popular method of consuming cannabis is through edibles, which are food products infused with cannabis extract. Edibles can take longer to take effect but can also provide a longer-lasting high.
When consuming edibles, it is important to be mindful of the dosage. Edibles can produce a more intense and longer-lasting effects due to the absorption through the digestive system. It is therefore important to start with a low dosage and wait at least one hour before having more, as it can take up to one hour for the full effects to be felt.
Edibles come in all shapes and sizes, from sweet snacks such as gummies and brownies to savory dishes such as pizza and tacos. There’s even infused copycat recipes of your favorite snack foods, like TGI Potato Skins.
Edibles offer a great way to consume cannabis without having to smoke. They are also a great option for people who do not like the taste of cannabis or are not able to smoke due to respiratory issues. However, it is important to start with a low dosage and wait at least an hour before consuming more, as the effects can be unpredictable and potent.
Topicals Are A Popular Method Of Non-Psychoactive Consumption
Topicals are cannabis-infused products that are exclusively meant for external use and are not meant to be ingested. Topicals come in a variety of forms, including creams, salves, ointments, lotions and balms. Cannabis topicals provide localized relief without any psychoactive effects. This makes them a great option for those who are looking for relief, but do not want to get “high”. With this in mind, it is good to note that most topicals on the market are CBD topicals.
Topicals are a great choice for those who are using cannabis to treat pain or other localized conditions. In addition, they are great for those who want to avoid any psychoactive effects as they are not absorbed through the skin. Cannabis-infused topicals can be easily found at most dispensaries and CBD / hemp derived topicals can be found at local health stores and pharmacies. Topicals are available in a variety of forms. They can be used for a wide range of conditions, from muscle and joint pain to skin conditions, and are a great way to consume cannabis without any psychoactive effects.
RSO / Tinctures / Capsules
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil), tinctures, and capsules are all popular forms of concentrate-based cannabis. They are a great option for those who are looking to experience the benefits of cannabis without causing any irritation to their throat or lungs. RSO, tinctures and capsules allow for precise dosing, as the potency of each drop can be carefully measured. This is an effective way to incorporate the benefits of THC into your daily routine.
RSO is a concentrate that is made by extracting the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. It is a full-spectrum extract and is an extremely potent form of cannabis. RSO is typically taken orally, though it can be applied topically as well.
Cannabis tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts made from cannabis plants. They are typically taken orally by placing a few drops under the tongue or adding them to food or drinks. Tinctures offer a discreet and convenient way to consume cannabis, as they can be easily carried in a small bottle and do not produce the strong odor associated with smoking or vaping. Capsules are pre-measured doses of cannabis extract that are placed in a pill form. These capsules can be taken with food or water and are a great way to dose cannabis precisely.
Vape Cartridges, Similar To E-Cigs
Vape carts are becoming one of the most popular methods of consuming cannabis. Cartridges are pre-filled tanks (carts) of cannabis concentrate. They are designed for use with portable vaporizer pens, which heat the cartridge to release the cannabis concentrate. Disposables are newer style cartridges which come pre-built with batteries.
However, these devices are heavily unregulated and can be unsafe if not purchased from a reliable source. It is important to do your research and only purchase cartridges from licensed dispensaries or reputable brands.
Dabs Of Cannabis Extracts (Dabs, Rosin, BHO, etc.)
My preferred consumption method is dabbing cannabis extracts. Cannabis extracts, also known as “dabs,” are concentrated forms of cannabis that are created through a variety of extraction techniques. These techniques include supercritical CO2 extraction, butane (BHO, or “butane hash oil”), rosin (heat press), and other methods.
The main goal of extracts is to remove most (if not all) of the non-medicinal parts of the cannabis plant while concentrating the medicinal properties. Extracts are extremely potent, with THC percentages of up to 80%-90%+, and they provide a powerful and fast-acting high. Extracts can be found in various forms such as wax, shatter, budder, sugar, diamonds, sauce, live, and other forms.
Dabs are typically consumed by vaporizing the extracts in a glass contraption, similar to a bong. However, these extracts are also used in cartridges and edibles, mentioned above.
Be aware. Because cannabis extracts are so heavily concentrated, they are one of the strongest forms of cannabis.
Below is an example of freshly pressed flower rosin.
End Notes
So, whether you prefer smoking, vaping, edibles, or tinctures, there is a method of cannabis consumption that can work for you. It is important to research and understand the benefits and drawbacks of each method before choosing one that is right for you. With the growing acceptance and legalization of cannabis, the options for consumption will likely continue to expand, providing even more choices for users.
