Navigating Different Cannabis Consumption Methods: Which is Safest for You?
Cannabis has been a topic of high interest and much stigma for centuries. While many countries have restrictions against cannabis, others, such as Canada, have changed their stance and legalized the drug.
More and more people are becoming increasingly curious about cannabis as more and more studies have begun to show its benefits.
Having knowledge of the different cannabis consumption methods will allow you to select the approach that is best suited to your needs.
Whether you are someone who has never consumed cannabis before or takes it regularly, it is always a good idea to figure out which is the safest method for you.
Numerous options for cannabis consumption methods are out there for you. You can smoke it, vape it, dab it, eat it with edibles, or even apply it to your skin. But of all these methods, which one should you pick and which is the safest?
Join us in navigating different cannabis consumption methods to help you choose the one that’s perfectly suited to your needs.
1. Through Smoking
Parts Used: Dried leaves and flowers
Amount of THC: 20-30%
Duration: Up to 4 hours
Onset: Within a few minutes
Smoking is the most common method people generally use when consuming cannabis. Due to the quickness and ease with which you feel the effects of the drug, it has remained the most favored method.
When you smoke cannabis, cannabinoids are delivered directly to your lungs. There are millions of air sacs in your lungs where oxygen is absorbed, and carbon dioxide is released. These sacs take up the chemicals from the cannabis and deliver them to the bloodstream unimpeded. And just like that, the buzz is on you.
Depending on the amount smoked, the quality of the flower, and the user’s tolerance, the high can last anywhere from an hour to four hours. Using quality material is a must here.
So, for example, if you want THCA fresh or dry herbs, opt for a thca flower store that has gotten good reviews for providing the best quality flowers.
Smoking Cannabis in a Joint
Smoking marijuana in a joint is the most commonly used method. First, hold a rolling paper with the sticky side facing up. Then spread the ground cannabis along the length of the paper, leaving some room at each end.
Shape the joint by rolling the paper between your fingers. Put it back together, licking the glue to seal it, and just like that, your joint is ready to smoke.
Smoking Cannabis in a Bong
Miniature pipes, or bubblers, are commonly used to smoke marijuana, with Hookahs being one of the more traditional methods used for years. Bongs and pipes can be made from various materials, including soda bottles, cans, cobs of corn, and even certain fruits.
Pipe Bongs: If you’re using a pipe, pack the ground weed into the bowl at the end of the pipe. Fill the water chamber of a pipe and put the ground marijuana in the bowl. Light the marijuana while taking a deep breath through the pipe. Let the smoke fill the chamber, then, if necessary, let go of the carb and take a drag.
Gravity Bong: Gravity bongs, also known as bucket or waterfall bongs, can be made by hand. Use anything from a plastic bottle to a milk jug or a bucket to a two-liter soda bottle can be used to create your very own gravity bong. Draw the smoke into the chamber by gravity through water and enjoy your cannabis.
| Perks of Smoking Cannabis | Risks of Smoking Cannabis |
| It causes immediate effects. | It can damage the lungs and raise lung disease risk. |
| It can increase cannabinoids and terpenes, enhancing the entourage effect. | It can produce tar, carcinogens, and other toxic byproducts resulting from combustion. |
2. Through Vaping
Parts Used: Flowers and leaves
Amount of THC: 50-90%
Duration: Up to 4 hours
Onset: Within a few minutes
Consuming cannabis through vaping is becoming popular among the younger generation. Vaporizers heat cannabis flowers or concentrates at lower temperatures than when burning them. That way, they don’t produce any smoke but vapor instead.
Vaping’s effects are similar to those of smoking in terms of onset and duration. Depending on the substance used, it could provide a somewhat stronger high.
This method also allows you to consume less substance from plants and more cannabinoids because of the higher concentration of the inhaled vapor.
Temperature is the deciding factor when using a vaporizer with flowers. Due to vaporizers burning at a lower temperature than lighters, more cannabinoids of the flower are there in the vapor.
| Perks of Vaping Cannabis | Risks of Vaping Cannabis |
| Less harsh than smoking. | It can expose you to harmful substances if the vaporizer is made of poor materials. |
| Controlled dosage. | It can be costly. |
| Various flavors to choose from. |
3. Through Dabbing
Parts Used: Dried cannabis
Amount of THC: 65-80%
Duration: Up to 6 hours
Onset: Within a minute
Dabbing cannabis is a tricky method of consumption. A dab is the rapid evaporation of a cannabis concentrate. When you dab, you vape high-potency cannabis extracts, giving you a solid, fast-acting high.
If you are someone who is new to the world of cannabis, do not start with dabbing. It is a more potent inhalation than traditional smoking. Dabbing has significant legal and potential health risks to the consumer.
Dabbing requires many materials like a nail, blowtorch, etc. After heating the nail with a blowtorch, add your concentration and take a hit.
To master, you need to experiment with different heating times for your nail, which takes time and persistence. Inhaling too much of it can cause painful burns to the esophagus. Your efforts are wasted if the heat isn’t high enough to evaporate the concentrate completely.
| Perks of Dabbing Cannabis | Risks of Dabbing Cannabis |
| The onset is quick. | Has long-term effect on the lungs. |
| The action is efficient. | Safety and fire hazard risk. |
| Small amounts can get optimum results. |
4. Through Edibles
Parts Used: Extract and THC oil
Amount of THC: 2-5%
Duration: Up to 12 hours
Onset: Within half an hour
Not everyone likes smoking or vaping. But that does not limit you from consuming cannabis. If smoking cannabis isn’t your cup of tea, you may try edibles. Edibles are food items mixed with cannabinoids, like THC or CBD.
The options for edible cannabis are many. You can literally put marijuana in most of the food you eat. Including but not limited to;
Beverages: Smoothies, Coffee, juices, herbal teas, fizzy drinks, etc.
Solid Food: Salad, butter, oil, salsa, greens, avocados, vegetables, pasta, etc.
Sweets: Brownies, ice cream, dark chocolate, gummies, jam, jelly, etc.
Edible cannabis capsules that are swallowed like any other pills are just some of the many new forms that edibles have taken. And thanks to modern science and technology, its THC concentration is accurate, allowing for more controlled edible dosing.
The effects of edible cannabis are longer than smoking it. When the cannabinoids go through your liver, they make you feel more high than when you just inhale weed.
When you breathe, the high is mostly in your head. When you eat cannabis-infused food, you’ll experience it in your brain and feel it all over your body.
| Perks of Eating Cannabis | Risks of Eating Cannabis |
| Stays for a longer time. | Can cause high level of anxiety. |
| No inhalation risk. | Chances of overconsumption. |
| Extended relief for pain. | The onset can be slow. |
5. Through Applying Topicals
Parts Used: Flowers
Amount of THC: 90-95%
Duration: Up to 6 hours
Onset: Within 15-30 minutes
Cannabis products that you place on your skin are called topical cannabinoids. These creams, balms, and lotions are cannabis-infused and are made to be applied directly.
Topicals don’t make you feel high like other methods because the cannabinoids don’t enter your bloodstream. Instead, they work with receptors in the skin and tissues underneath. It can relieve pain, inflammation and skin problems in specific areas.
Using cannabis products on your skin is a safe and controlled way to get the benefits of cannabis without feeling high. They are great for people who want specific relief without changing how they think.
| Perks of Topical Cannabis | Risks of Topical Cannabis |
| It cures acne. | Do not always provide full benefits. |
| Anti-inflammatory. | For external use only. |
| It nourishes dry skin. | |
| Has powerful antioxidants. |
Which method Should You Go for?
Choosing the safest method from the abovementioned will vary from person to person. What works best for one person may not be appropriate for another, and the same is true of the various approaches.
Every method comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. The safest way for you depends on;
- Your preferences.
- Your health.
- Your tolerance.
- The results you want.
The good thing is some ground rules apply to everyone. To have a better and safer experience, choose a way to consume that matches what you like. Go for what’s good for your health and what makes you comfortable. This will help reduce any possible risks.
Inhalation methods tend to work faster and provide more instant relief, making them good for people who want to feel better quickly. But the possible risks to the health of the lungs should never be ignored.
The effects of ingestion last longer, and people who want a more controlled and calm experience often choose this way. Edibles are a way to get high without smoking, but they require care and knowing how much is the right amount to take.
Using cannabis externally can lower the risks of getting anxious, too high, or even losing control over yourself. On the contrary, remember it may not give you your desired outcome.
Remember to start slow and be patient if you’re trying anything new, such as a higher dose. Medical marijuana patients should discuss the usage of cannabis with their doctor before beginning any new medication.
No matter how you decide to consume cannabis, doing so safely and responsibly is of the utmost importance to your health.
Bottom Line
So there it is, everything you need to know about different methods of consuming cannabis. No matter which method you end up going for, ensure it is the safest possible way for you.
The safest cannabis-consuming method will depend on what you want, your health condition, and finally, your cannabis tolerance level.
