6 Ways To Take Medical Cannabis

Although cannabis has been associated almost exclusively with smoking for years, the rise of the medical cannabis industry has cleared the way for modernized, discreet and precise consumption methods. These include everything from a variety of oil formulations to vaporizing, edibles and topicals. Each method of application has its benefits and advantages, so it is important to discuss with your doctor or cannabis clinic specialist about which method—or combination of methods—is best suitable for your specific needs.

Oils

Cannabis oils are concentrated extracts created through low-pressure distillation from the plant’s leaves, flowers and stems (similar to how essential oils are made). They are packaged in vials with dropper applicators in order to be taken orally (either directly, or added to food or drink). Like dried flower, cannabis oil can come in several varieties with varying levels of THC and/or CBD, to help tailor specific treatments for differing needs. If you have heard of hemp oil, be aware that it’s not exactly the same thing as cannabis oil. Although they are derived from the same species, hemp oil contains only trace amounts of THC and contains only a fraction of the CBD that can be found in cannabis oil.

Oils have a very easy-to-control dosage method, so they make it easy to achieve the optimal amount each time. Be aware, cannabis oils are incredible strong. It takes longer to feel the effects when ingesting oils as opposed to inhalation through vaporizers. However, the duration of the effects can last much longer. Talk to your doctor about dosing, and make sure that you start low and go slow.

Oral Sprays

Filled with a concentrated cannabis oil that is made from extracts of the cannabinoids and terpenes (like the cannabis oils above), sublingual oral sprays, such as Emblem’s Atmosphere, offer another discreet and precision-oriented method for using medical cannabis and are sprayed directly under your tongue. Like with the oral-dosed oils, the effects of a sublingual spray generally take longer to appear and may have a longer duration time than smoking or vaporizing dried flower.

Capsules

Oil-filled capsules offer patients a medical cannabis delivery system that is most like traditional medications. Incredibly discreet and very simple to dose, cannabis capsules are easy to transport, customizable based on the percentage of cannabinoids in the capsule chosen and the number of capsules consumed, and are effortlessly precise. Debuting soon, Emblem’s oil-filled capsules will be strain specific—just like our oil extracts and oral sprays—for more consistent effects. They will be available in both THC and CBD varieties, and offered in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg strengths. This allows your physician to create a personalized ratio of THC to CBD, as well as modify your dose toward a more exact strength.

Vaporizing

During vaporizing, dried flower inserted into a vaporizer and is heated at a lower temperature, allowing its benefits to be released without exposing carcinogens and soot that can come from the high temperatures of smoking. In fact, a study comparing smoking to vaporizing found that users inhaled fewer toxic compounds and carbon monoxide when vaping. And another study discovered that vaporizing helped decrease respiratory symptoms that occur with smoking. Instead, vaporizers help create a controlled heat, allowing you to get the most benefits from your medical cannabis. Vaporizing has an onset time very similar to smoking, providing very quick results. In addition, vaporizing is also known to produce a cleaner, smoother and less harsh experience. From sleek, nondescript portable devices to larger tabletop varieties, there are several types of vaporizers to choose from. This allows patients the flexibility of choosing which vaping method is best suited for every specific situation. Be aware that

Edibles

Ingestible food infused with cannabis, edibles are typically made from concentrated cannabis in the form of infused oil or butter. Although not legally for sale in Canada, medical patients can make their own edibles at home using recipes that incorporate dried flower or concentrated cannabis oil. Edibles are convenient, offering yet another option for patients who don’t want to smoke cannabis or use a vaporizer. The active ingredients within the cannabis are absorbed within your body in a different manner when being ingested. Like with ingestible oils and oral sprays, it takes longer to feel the effects, and when they hit they can be stronger and last longer. It’s important to start with a low dosage and wait a few hours before consuming any more. The intensity can also vary depending how much other food you have eaten, as the effects can be stronger on an empty stomach. It is incredibly important to keep your edibles out of reach of children or anyone else in your household. Make sure your edibles are properly marked and stashed safely away.

Topicals

Cannabis topicals are oils, lotions and balms infused with cannabis that provide direct relief to specific areas of the body. This makes topicals a great choice for patients who only want to treat localized symptoms. Topicals work as they bind to the receptors found throughout your body known as the CB2 receptors. They are activated by the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids or by cannabis compounds such as THC and CBD. However, even if your topical contains the psychoactive THC, applying it directly onto your skin will not create the ‘high’ feeling that can be experienced from inhaling or ingesting cannabis, as the cannabinoids can reach the system of CB2 receptors but will not penetrate into the bloodstream. Although Health Canada currently does not allow for the sale of topicals, like edibles, they can be made at home using dried flower and the Magical Butter Maker.

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