There are plenty of ways to consume medical marijuana. Some people smoke it, while others prefer to eat it in edibles. Others might use cannabis-infused oils and tinctures. There’s another way to get your medical dose of marijuana, one that is gaining in popularity amongst medical professionals and patients. Marijuana suppositories are the most recent way people are getting their recommended dose of THC or CBD.

Suppositories have been used for centuries. Their use dates back to 2000 BC, where both Babylonians and Egyptians made record of using suppositories in medical practice. They are an integral part of medicine administration, often used for patients who cannot swallow medicine. They can also be effective for those who experience an adverse reaction to medication in the stomach or intestines. Suppositories are typically taken rectally or vaginally and offer both local acting and systematic relief.

4 Benefits of Marijuana Suppositories

Marijuana suppositories are effective for patients who use medical marijuana in several different ways. Check out the following benefits of this emerging method of medical marijuana administration.

1. They are Perfect for People Who Can’t Swallow Medicine

There are several reasons it can be difficult for a person to swallow medicine. Aside from the obvious broken jaw, several medical conditions can make swallowing seem impossible. Patients suffering from things such as inflammation of the esophagus, esophageal cancer, stroke, nervous system problems (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.), and immune system problems can experience difficulty swallowing.

2. They Can Help Ease the Pain of Menstrual Cramps

They’re already becoming popular for women who experience cramps during their menstrual cycle. While often referred to as “marijuana tampons”, they are actually marijuana suppositories that are inserted vaginally to offer quick relief to those suffering from (often unbearable) period pain.

3. They Offer Localized Relief

People suffering from pain in certain areas can find fast relief using marijuana suppositories. Marijuana “tampons” are one example, but there are several other conditions where marijuana suppositories can work for localized pain. People suffering from conditions such as rectal cancer, vaginal cysts, ovarian cysts, rectal cysts and tumors can all find suppositories to be a powerful method of taking medicinal marijuana.

4. They Work Fast

People who can’t (or don’t want to) smoke marijuana typically stick to eating edibles or using cannabis tinctures. There’s no doubt that these methods work, but it can take a while for people to feel the relief they so desperately need. While it might take 1-3 hours to feel the effects of an edible, suppositories have shown to work as quickly as 10-15 minutes after they have been injected. While smoking or vaping are the fastest way to feel relief, suppositories come in a very close second.

Marijuana suppositories have a reported effect of a “warm liquid feeling that starts in the pelvis and spreads throughout the rest of the body.” For those that can’t swallow or smoke their medicine (and those that can), this method of administration might even make a more enjoyable alternative.

What are your thoughts? Have you or someone you know used marijuana suppositories? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.