There are two subsets of the cannabis plant. The first is what we all know as marijuana which has the psychoactive effect commonly referred to as a “high”. Though marijuana it is not yet fully approved as medicine. Scientific studies on its benefits have led the FDA to approval of some chemical pills and sprays containing THC and CBD.
What is Hemp?
The second subset of the cannabis plant is called hemp, which has lower doses of THC, therefore does not have the same intoxicating effects of marijuana. Both marijuana and hemp contain cannabinoids and terpenes. The two dominant cannabinoids in both plants are: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). Between the two plant types, marijuana is the one that is most sought after for its abundant THC content.
What is THC?
THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in both marijuana and hemp plant. In marijuana, however, it’s more abundant. THC, unlike CBD, can cause a person to get “high” when consumed. The science behind this psychoactive effect is that THC activates the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid is a system of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the central nervous system and throughout the body These receptors alter the brain signaling process which influences concentration, appetite, and many more of the body’s operating systems.
THC, for example, binds onto CB1 receptors, which are consequential in that it has an effect on cognitive functioning such as attention span, the formation of memories and the coordination of movements. It also activates the reward system in the brain which in some cases can cause a surge in dopamine levels which induce an intense biological response that leads to a decrease in pain, nausea and more.
There are dozens of ways to consume cannabis. As more consumers begin to see the benefits of marijuana, people are also looking to find easier ways to make edibles, topical solutions, THC oils, and much more. Each method of consumption has its own benefits – depending on your reason for usage. It is important to understand your options as the stigma surrounding the use of marijuana has started to change around the world.
Whether for medical use or recreational purposes, consumers are constantly searching for new ways to use cannabis. Before you enjoy the massive list of ways that you can consume marijuana, let us explain the basics of marijuana and how THC works.
How many products contain cannabis? Hundreds. Flower – of course – and pre-rolls. Vape pens and concentrates like shatter and Live Resin. Creams and massage oils. Chocolate chip cookies, coffee sodas, pills, strawberry taffy, powders for adding to hot tea or cold juice. Companies are rolling out myriad new products in pot-friendly states every week — it’s remarkable.
Without further ado, here are the Top 10 product categories among cannabis consumers from January through
Now that you have a better understanding of marijuana and how THC works, here’s a look at some of the 10 ways to consume cannabis.
1. Pills or Capsules
Also known as cannacaps, THC capsules have become a popular method of ingesting marijuana. THC pills contain marijuana, typically suspended in an oil. The pros of this application make it suitable for people with respiratory issues. It also delivers a accurate dose and can be used to treat multiple illnesses. The con is that the body’s digestive mechanism may interfere with its absorption into the bloodstream.
You can also make instant cannacaps by placing decarbed cannabis or concentrates right into capsules. Include a drop of coconut oil or MCT and lecithin with decarbed cannabis to help with absorption, Marijuana pills provide a safe way to consume cannabinoids.
There’s a number of benefits to using cannacaps:
Because they deliver a steady, predictable dose of THC, they’re considered safer than smoking (remember though, that the timing of the onset of effects can vary, since the cannabinoids have to make their way through the digestive system before they are absorbed into the bloodstream).
There’s no smell, no smoke and they are discreet.
They can be used to treat a variety of ailments when combined with other ingredients (i.e. melatonin for sleep or B12 vitamins).
The THC has a long duration of effect.
Additionally, for those who use other medicine in capsule/pill form, such as prescription medication, capsules are easy to include in their existing process
2. Dabbing
Dabs are concentrated forms of cannabis made by extracting THC and other cannabinoids from the plant, often using a solvent like butane, ethanol, or carbon dioxide. The end result is a sticky oil sometimes called wax, shatter, budder, butane hash oil (BHO), or RSO. There are also more healthy, solventless concentrates that are made without using any chemicals or solvents. Rosin, ice water hash, and kief are all solventless concentrates.
Dabbing can be a tricky process requiring specific equipment such as a dab rig, torch or e-nail. In dabbing, take a rice grain size of wax concentrate and place it on a rig or vaporizer, then heat it to release the ingredients while the end user inhales the smoke. Dabs have also become very popular with new cannabis users through the introduction of an almost endless variety of concentrate pens and cannabis extract cartridges.
When done correctly, dabbing can deliver a clean, high dose and pure product that is easier on your lungs than other methods of consumption. You can decarboxylate concentrates and then use the decarbed concentrate to dab on super low temperatures for even more yield with a smooth inhale.
You can also use activated concentrates to make any cannabis product, like lotions, capsules, edibles, and sublinguals
3. Bongs
Bongs are a type of water pipe used with cannabis flower favored by more experienced smokers. They can range vastly in size and design and use the water to cool the smoke before it hits your lungs, making it smoother to inhale.
The water also acts as a filter, removing some of the carcinogens found in smoke. This, along with the fact that they provide a fast, intense high as well as the ease of high dose inhalations, make bongs a popular way to consume marijuana.
Decarbing before smoking in the bong or other smoking methods mentioned below will lead to a heavier and more sedated high, due in part to increased production of CBN during the process. Consider trying smoking decarbed flower to de-stress or improve sleep.
4. Bowls
One of the most convenient ways to smoke marijuana is via bowl. Bowls are small hand pipes, very similar to tobacco pipes.
For many, bowls also provide a way to consume smaller doses without the addition of smoking paper as with a joint. Bowls are usually made of glass, but can also be metal, ceramic, wood, or silicone. The more creatively inclined have been known to make homemade DIY bowls out of generally available products like apples and even bananas!
5. Bubblers
A bubbler is a cross between a water pipe and traditional glass pipe. They’re smaller than a bong, and usually a little bigger than your average-sized bowl but use water in the same way, providing a clean, smooth hit. Because of their size, they’re great for those who like bongs but prefer smaller doses and are a good travel option. The ease of use makes them a great choice for beginners and medium dosers.
6. Joints
Probably the most common and widely used way to ingest weed is the joint. They’re easy to make and only require two things: bud and rolling papers (filters are essential also. If you aren’t using filters yet you are missing out). There is an ever-evolving variety of papers available – different sizes, hemp, wood pulp, rice, even flavored – and the type of paper you choose will impact your experience. The innovation in papers seems never-ending, from trends such as transparent rolling papers made from plant cellulose to terpene-enhanced papers. All rolling papers are designed to give you a smooth, even burn, and most regular consumers tend to have their favorite. Just roll marijuana buds in your paper of choice then light it up and smoke as usual.
7. Blunts
Blunts are to joints what cigars are to cigarettes. In fact, blunts are typically cigars that have had the tobacco removed and have been refilled with cannabis. The tobacco wrap adds a little extra buzz and many smokers like using the many options of flavored cigarillos (smaller cigars) to further enhance their smoking experience.
8. Edibles
‘Edibles’ refers to any food item that contains cannabis. Pot brownies are a classic example but you can find a variety of infused candies, snacks, and ingredients for cooking your own treats. The high from an edible can take up to two hours to hit, but it’s more intense than other ingestion methods and may last longer. Edibles don’t require THC, meaning that you don’t have to get stoned when you indulge.
Because of this, many medicinal users rely on edibles for pain relief, especially when they contain THC and CBD. Any kind of edible will require the cannabis to be decarboxylated at some point in the process. Thankfully, it is incredibly simple to make THC or CBD edibles and it doesn’t require you to make a butter or oil. A tiny bit of activated marijuana can be directly mixed into food for an instant edible experience. Of course, infused butters, oils, and other fats are a great way to add cannabis to dishes as an alternative to using the decarbed material directly. After decarb, just place the activated cannabis, kief or concentrate back into the Nova with the butter or oil for a second cycle to get the most effective extraction, without any mess or effort.
9. Oils
CBD Cannabis oil is low in THC and high in CBD, which is why you may have seen it referred to as “CBD oil” or “Hemp oil.” WARNING: make sure your products actually have CBD in them. Often companies include hemp seed oil (which does not have any CBD) and bank on confused consumers to believe that it is hemp-derived CBD.
Because it often only contains trace amounts of THC, CBD oils won’t provide any psychoactive effects. Instead, they’re used to treat a variety of health concerns from pain, anxiety, nausea, and sleep problems to supporting cancer treatment and its symptoms. It can be consumed as-is or put into capsules and is often available for purchase without a medical card. You can easily make CBD oil by decarbing CBD flower or concentrates in the Ardent Decarboxylator and then adding oil and running a second cycle to infuse.
10. Pens
If you need to be discreet with your consumption or don’t like direct combustion, a vape pen is a great option. They’re small, about the size of a ballpoint pen, give off virtually no odor, and come in a wide range of disposable varieties for the casual smoker as well as often having different dosage options. Vape pens use marijuana concentrates, often butane hash oil (BHO) or distillate, and can come pre-loaded so they’re ready to use right out of the box. Distillate, the most processed form of almost pure THC or CBD, often had terpenes added in order to mimic the taste of specific strains. Be very careful, however, as there is a growing problem with heavy metals in vape cartridges from the use of leads and other metals in the batteries and cartridges, and a proliferation of low quality and even counterfeit vape pens, so only buy pens and cartridges from trusted and verified sources.
Closing
There we go! Ten ways to use marijuana. New research and development in the weed world means that even if you can’t smoke, there are a lot of ways for you to get a dose of THC or CBD. Whether you’re a wellness user seeking the perfect balance or you rely on cannabis to manage an illness, there’s a method (or two!) for you. Even with the above methods, there are still a few ways through which stoners consume cannabis though not as widely used as the ones mentioned above. Out of these ten we also have:
