3 Ways To Consume Medical Marijuana
For many years, humans have been using the cannabis plant for recreational and medical purposes. It’s still an illegal substance in most countries, but years of research have slowly shed more light on the benefits of its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content. Nowadays, many people have integrated marijuana into their lifestyle.
Thanks to its therapeutic benefits, medical marijuana has become a popular product for managing health issues such as insomnia, chronic pain, loss of appetite, and more. Despite this, more research has to be done before experts can make definitive recommendations on its use for such purposes. For this reason, it’s important to conduct extensive research to understand the rules and regulations surrounding medical marijuana in your locale. This may save you from non-compliance fines and penalties.
There are several ways in which you can consume medical marijuana. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, so the one you choose will depend on the benefits you want to experience. As a primer for first-time users and a refresher for those with experience, this article will detail everything you need to know about consuming medical marijuana.
What Is Medical Marijuana?
As mentioned above, humans have been engaging in cannabis use for healthcare purposes for generations. In the modern era, experts are deriving medical marijuana from the cannabis sativa plant to help patients manage a wide range of medical conditions, such as glaucoma, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. Many also turn to medical-use marijuana for pain relief.
Due to the effects of cannabis, regulation surrounding its use and sale is stringent. In some places, the federal government may require you to have a medical marijuana card and shop for cannabis products at state-licensed dispensaries. But as research continues, there may be a better chance to see it become more broadly legalized.
If you live in a place with more charitable laws regarding the sale and use of marijuana, you may already see many cannabis shops popping up on your street. This can make it difficult to find the right vendor for your needs.
Fortunately, you can find good options right from the start. Consider checking out Cannassentials or any other reputable local vendors to ensure you get quality products. Make sure to research extensively to see if they can meet your needs and expectations.
How To Consume Medical Marijuana
There are several ways in which you can use medical cannabis and enjoy its benefits. The forms of cannabis available at dispensaries include cannabis extract, cannabis creams, cannabis lotions, cannabis salves, cannabis solvents, terpenes, cannabis oil, dried flower, cannabis concentrates, cannabis brownies, cannabis gummies, cannabis flower, and more.
If it’s your first time trying medical marijuana to manage a health issue, be careful with the method of consumption you choose. Different methods involve different side effects. Try talking to your doctor first to understand the effects of marijuana and the options at your disposal.
The good news is that there are some popular choices that most users claim to be effective and safe. These are the first ones you may want to try if you get a recommendation to use medical marijuana. Listed below are three of those methods of consumption.
Topical Application
This is an easy way to consume medical marijuana. It involves the use of transdermal patches that contain controlled concentrations of marijuana. The adhesive patches are applied on the skin, from which the cannabis penetrates the bloodstream.
To apply the patch, you have to clean your skin thoroughly. This makes it easier for the compounds to diffuse into your body.
There are several benefits of topical application. They include:
- Discreet method of use: Do you want to consume medical marijuana on your way to work? You can easily apply the medicated patches on the inner wrist or top of your foot, allowing you to receive the benefits of marijuana without creating uncomfortable situations.
- Mild dosages: this is another benefit of topical application. The patches have a relatively low cannabis content, making them ideal for new users. Although cannabis might help manage several health issues, the extent of its effects can vary from person to person. So, it’s safer to avoid consuming large amounts right away.
There are several challenges you might encounter with this consumption method. Some consumers may have allergic reactions to the materials in the adhesives. If you develop any reaction, stop using them immediately and visit your physician. Besides this, topical application may not work well if you have a great deal of body hair. You either have to wax or shave to place it on your preferred spots or look to other methods.
Vaping
Vaping has become another popular method of consuming medical marijuana. It refers to the process of vaporizing cannabis using a vaping kit, which can be inhaled directly into the lungs. This method is popular since it’s considered a safe alternative to smoking.
Over the years, many vaping kits have been created to suit a variety of usages. This includes cigalikes, vape pens, and vape mods. Due to the many options available, finding the ideal kit to vape your medical marijuana can get tricky. So, make sure you conduct enough research to know which vape kit can meet your needs and expectations.
The biggest benefit of vaping is that it offers quicker delivery. As mentioned above, the vaporized compound is brought straight into the lung tissues, giving instant relief. Hence, this consumption method may be ideal if you want to manage health issues such as chronic pain, helping you get up and running in no time.
On the other hand, vaping can be a costly investment. Purchasing a quality vaping kit usually dents your budget. Fortunately, visiting more than one vendor lets you compare costs, saving you from paying more for similar products.
Also, take note that vaping can exacerbate issues such as asthma. For this reason, ensure you fully understand the risks of vaping before trying to consume medical marijuana this way.
Oral Consumption
You can consume medical marijuana in the form of edibles, tinctures, and oils.
For medicated edibles, you have to swallow the product to absorb the compounds through your digestive system. It may take longer for the effects to kick in with this method. Also, digestion may filter out a considerable amount of cannabinoids, requiring you to ingest some more.
Other products, such as tinctures, can be consumed sublingually. This means placing the product right under the tongue. The capillaries in the soft tissues can absorb the compounds this way, allowing for much quicker delivery.
Knowing which one you should pick is a matter of knowing the risks, benefits, and expectations. Make sure to talk to experts if you need more advice.
Considering Medical Marijuana?
This treatment may provide the relief you need if you know how to use it. Always listen to your body for its reaction to your chosen method. Also, remember to pace yourself to get the most out of this choice of treatment.
John DiBella is a medical marijuana advocate, owner of The Sanctuary Wellness Institute, and a writer. When he’s not writing blogs about medical marijuana, he enjoys hiking, camping and sailing.
