Cannabis can be smoked, vaped, or made into edibles or sublingual tinctures. Each method has different benefits and drawbacks, but smoking cannabis flower is the most potent way to consume marijuana.
Medical marijuana has proven effective in easing chronic pain, controlling nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and making people feel like eating (AIDS-associated anorexia). It also seems to improve sleep in some people.
It’s Safe
Cannabis can produce a wide range of therapeutic effects. Depending on the type of cannabis used, these may include pain relief, appetite stimulation, reduced muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis, and improved sleep quality. Cannabis has also been shown to help individuals with attention disorders, such as ADHD and ADD, and glaucoma, which causes increased eye pressure, by reducing intraocular stress.
Cannabis is safe for medical use when used in the correct dosage and in the proper setting. Patients should always purchase their medicine from a licensed dispensary like WholesomeCo, where the product is tracked throughout its lifecycle, and tested for potency and contaminants, such as heavy metals, disallowed pesticides, fungus, and lead.
To ensure you are consuming cannabis safely, keep a log for at least one week. Using this log will give you an accurate understanding of the efficacy and side effects of your cannabis medicines. Write the date and time when you finish your cannabis medicine. Then write down the therapeutic effects you experience. Also, note what symptoms you are trying to treat.
It’s Easy
Marijuana flower is the smokable bud harvested from the female cannabis plant. It contains the cannabinoids THC and CBD, which produce psychoactive and medicinal effects, and terpenes that give each strain its unique flavor and scent.
The flower is most commonly smoked in joints or blunts but can also be used to make edibles. It’s also the primary ingredient in concentrates such as hash and kief, which offer a complete experience.
Smoking cannabis flowers can be intimidating to those new to the herb, but it’s pretty easy. The key is to start with small flowers and inhale deeply. If you begin to cough, you likely inhale more smoke than your lungs can handle and need a break.
Another popular method of consuming marijuana is through vaporization, which can be done using a portable or desktop vaporizer. A vaporizer is less harsh on the lungs and can deliver the same high as smoking without the drawbacks of secondhand smoke or nicotine.
It’s Fast-Acting
Cannabis has been linked to aiding insulin regulation and reducing caloric intake, making it a practical option for managing diabetes. It also helps ease pain caused by multiple sclerosis and the side effects of hepatitis C treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches.
Edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and are often challenging to dose, while concentrates and tinctures are time-consuming and require specialized equipment to prepare. However, there are now fast-acting cannabis edibles that deliver an effect within minutes to provide patients with an alternative way to consume this versatile medicine.
Smoking flower involves adding ground or crushed cannabis to a pipe, cigar, or device that allows you to inhale the smoke and experience its effects. Tinctures are a popular option for precise dosing and one of the oldest forms of cannabis medicinal use. You’ll need a marijuana grinder, a lighter, and the cannabis of your choice. A vaporizer is another modern consumption method that uses an electronic heating unit to convert the terpenes and cannabinoids into a mist for inhalation without burning the plant material.
It’s Easy to Dose
Medicinal cannabis is the dried, potent part of the marijuana plant with many therapeutic effects. It contains cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabichromene (CBC). They are secreted from glandular trichomes located most densely on the flower.
Smoking cannabis produces a euphoria that comes on quickly, generally in less than 30 minutes. This is because THC absorbed through the lungs is metabolized and swiftly eliminated.
It is essential to know your limits, however. Too much THC can cause unpleasant side effects, including paranoia and anxiety. Therefore, finding the correct starting dose and gradually increasing it as needed is crucial.
For new medical cannabis users, starting with a small amount and smoking 1 to 3 times, waiting 10 to 15 minutes between inhalations may be helpful. Then, slowly increase your dosage as you get familiar with the cannabis’ therapeutic effects and how they affect you. It is also a good idea to keep a cannabis log where you record your feelings, thoughts, and experiences with the medicine. It can help you and your doctor decide how to use cannabis best.
It’s Easy to Make
In the age of weed-infused edibles, beverages, oils, and concentrates, it’s easy to forget the benefits of smoking cannabis flowers. But patients should consider sticking with bud when they want to find the best cannabis for their symptoms and learn how to control their dosage.
Smoking also allows patients to experience the full flavor of a strain, a benefit that other forms of consumption can’t replicate. Vaping or dabbing can often leave a burnt or bitter taste in your mouth. A good grinder or scissors will allow you to break down your bud into smaller pieces before you smoke it. This is important because raw, unground cannabis can cause lung irritation and impair cognitive function.
Smoking cannabis can irritate the throat and lungs, so patients with respiratory conditions may be better off consuming it via edibles or tinctures. They should also avoid smoking marijuana for pain relief when taking medications with a narrow therapeutic index, such as warfarin (a blood thinner), specific chemotherapy agents, and anti-seizure drugs. These medications can have severe adverse reactions to cannabis use.
