If you’re new to cannabis—or returning after a long absence—you’ve probably found all sorts of things to be surprised by. In addition to the incredible variety of strains on offer, there are also many new and innovative ways to consume it.
As it turns out, for those of us with sensitive lungs, smoking may not actually be the best way to consume cannabis. That’s why in today’s post, we’ll take a guided tour of some of the many ways to consume cannabis, including vaping, edibles, tinctures, and more. If you’re interested in different ways to use marijuana, this post is definitely for you!
How to Take Cannabis: Different Consumption Methods
Cannabis has been smoked for centuries and remains one of the most popular ways of consuming cannabis. And for some of us, smoking will always be the best way to consume cannabis. Why? For one thing, it’s simple and fast-acting, delivering a potent hit of cannabinoids in a familiar and easy-to-use format. There are also a variety of ways to smoke cannabis: via a pipe, a bong, or a joint for example.
For those of us with sensitive lungs, however, smoking may not be the best option. Because even though studies suggest smoked cannabis is still less harmful than tobacco, that smoke can still irritate the airways.
The good news is that legalization coupled with industry innovation has produced many different ways to take cannabis. We refer to these as “consumption methods,” and they extend far beyond smoking. Let’s dig in!
Vaping: A gentler way of inhaling cannabinoids like THC or CBD is by vaping. Because vaporizers, vape pens, and other purpose-built devices only heat the cannabis (or cannabis extract) to a point at which the beneficial cannabinoids vaporize, they don’t actually produce smoke. Instead, they emit a cooling mist that’s far easier on the lungs. That said, it’s still fast-acting and simple to use.
Tinctures: Cannabis tinctures are a simple and reasonably fast-acting cannabis format. When they’re placed under the tongue, these infused cannabis drops generally take from 15 – 45 minutes to take effect. Compared with smoking or vaping, they’re more long-lasting, with effects often noticeable from 2 – 4 hours after taking them. What’s more, their drop-by-drop dosing allows you to calibrate your minimum effective dose so you don’t spend money unnecessarily. Tinctures are low-calorie, discreet, and have long shelf lives.
Topicals: Formulated to address muscle aches and pains, these balms and lotions harness the marijuana plant’s anti-inflammatory qualities to deliver relief directly to the site of discomfort. In general, you won’t experience a high with topicals, but be sure to read the label carefully in case you’re concerned: Transdermal products will penetrate the skin to enter the bloodstream.
Edibles, Pills, Capsules: Like tinctures, edibles are discreet and convenient. What’s more, they’re often quite delicious, especially if they’re the gooey chocolates or fruity gummies we’re so fond of at Mankind! Edibles and other ingestibles take longer to kick in than smoked or vaped cannabis but can last up to 6 hours, in some cases even longer.
That said, because of the delay in feeling the effects, it can be hard to calibrate dosage. With the strongest edibles offering 100 mg of THC per chocolate bar or more, for example, it’s important not to take too much too fast. That’s why we always advise our customers to wait at least 2 hours before taking a second dose of edible cannabis. Remember: You can always take more cannabis, but you can’t take less!
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Wrapping Up
We hope this guide on how to consume marijuana has proven useful! In today’s marketplace, we are fortunate to have an abundance of choice, meaning the best way to consume cannabis comes down to your personal preferences and needs.
No matter how you decide to take cannabis, many of us prefer that their marijuana be delivered right to their door. That’s why we offer delivery services to our customers in San Diego. There’s no fee, but based on your location there will be a minimum order; check our FAQ for more information. Alternatively, you can also place your order online for in-store pickup, and skip the line!
Have more questions about the best way to consume marijuana? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team is always here and happy to assist you.
