What Is The Best Way To Take Medical Marijuana?
Is There a "Best" Way To Consumer Cannabis? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.
Delivery Systems
The effects of cannabis may be obtained from smoking, vaporization, eating cannabis infused
food, tinctures, or topical application of lotions, creams or patches. The goal is to select the right delivery system
to achieve the proper dose of medication for the best relief for the longest period of time.
Smoking:
Smoking cannabis is probably the most commonly used delivery method, but it may not be the
most effective. An advantage is the rapid absorption into the system, which makes dosing
easier. However a big disadvantage is irritation to the respiratory system. Smoking anything,
including cannabis, is not beneficial for your lungs or respiratory system. The onset of action is 1-5 minutes,
with a duration of 1-4 hours.
Like smoking, vaporization doses can be more easily titrated (effects measured, dose increased
or decrease by small intervals) by inhalation. The effectiveness can be determined within a few
minutes. Patients can more readily control the dose to achieve the desired effect. Since vapors
are generally much less irritating to the lungs than smoking, patients that have historically
smoked cannabis might not realize the amount that they are consuming while vaporizing
because it doesn’t feel like smoke. The onset of action is quick - 2 to 5 minutes, with a duration of 1-4 hours
The effects of cannabis consumed orally (eating) typically last longer and generally fade more
slowly than either smoked or vaporized cannabis. The absorption, however, is much slower and
more unpredictable due to stomach acids & digestive enzymes. Dosing of edible cannabis can
be difficult to achieve because of this slow absorption. It is difficult to know if you have taken the
right dose. The best rule for purchased edible products is to cut them into 4-8 pieces & eat 1
piece to start. If there's no effect within 30-60 minutes, repeat the dose. If you are feeling relief,
do not repeat the dose. The best rule for edibles is to start with a small amount and repeat the
dose if needed. Most patients will experience some effect within 30-90 minutes, but it may take up to 180
minutes with peak effect in about 2 hours. The effect might last approximately 6-8 hours.
Tinctures are concentrated extracts made with alcohol, oils or glycerin. They can be fast-acting,
as they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Place the tincture drops under your tongue,
and hold the tincture in your mouth for 30-60 seconds before swallowing.
Tinctures are a popular delivery system because they are convenient, discrete (minimal odor), and easy
to dose correctly. The onset of action is generally about 5-15 minutes, with a peak effect in about 30 minutes and
an expected duration of 1-6 hours.
Topicals:
Topical medication may be delivered quickly and effectively due to the large number of receptors
in the skin. The medication is absorbed directly through the skin, and enters the bloodstream
quickly. Since there is a possibility of an allergic reaction to topical products, caution should be used
when starting this therapy. Apply a test dose, and watch for a rash or reaction over the next 24
hours or so. In spite of some people having an allergic reaction to topical products, it is generally
a well-tolerated delivery system.
Dosing of this powerful drug is very individualized, and probably the most important part
of a successful therapy. Start low and titrate until the proper dose is achieved. The right dose
is actually the smallest effective dose needed to achieve the desired relief. More is not better
when we are talking about cannabis. Overmedicating cannabis may cause an unpleasant experience.
Monitoring the Effects
Patients may respond differently to the medication. Although the ingestible products, lotions and patches
have known concentrations of the active ingredient(s), it is only an estimate of how much medication you are taking with
smoking cannabis (which is not suggested) or using a vaporizer. You will need to be responsible for recognizing
and recording the effects of the cannabis.You will be given a strain journal that may, over time, help you determine
what the best product is for you. In all situations, please start with the lowest dose possible and use it infrequently.
Dosage and frequency can be increased as the effects of the medication become known. There are many different
strains of cannabis with different chemical compositions and different effects on the body and brain. We hope you
and your physician can use your medical history and experience with cannabis to help determine what strain is best
for you with the fewest side effects.
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