Smoking dry herb is the most controllable and efficient way to use cannabis.  The effects are felt instantaneously and this form of consumption offers almost immediate relief.  Smoking marijuana is a great option for someone who is concerned with possible over self-medicating and provides the opportunity to start with a low dose and build from there.  It allows the consumer to have the most control over the effects that cannabis has on their mind and body and give them the ability to build up until the level of wanted relief is reached.  Smoking is also the most effective way that our body can absorb CBD.  Although smoking is a popular and efficient way of consuming cannabis, it still produces carcinogens and isn’t recommended for everyone.  Especially for those that suffer from Asthma or other respiratory problems, a different form of consumption such as a tincture or edible is recommended.

Smoking flower is a preferred way of consuming cannabis because it gives us the ability to zone into a specific problematic area and focus on relieving unwanted symptoms.  This provides us with more accuracy than other forms of cannabinoid ingestion.  By using different strains, it allows us to minimize or maximize different symptoms and results.  Finding the right strain to compliment each individuals needs and genetic makeup is crucial in creating one’s own desired results.  A specific strain that works really well for one person may not have the same absolute affect on a different individual.  This is due to how each of our Endocannabinoid Systems are composed and the synergy of external cannabinoids and terpenes we introduce it to.  Our ECS is the deciding factor in the way they interact with our own body’s chemistry.  Each persons Endocannabinoid System is different and is the deciding factor of how different cannabinoids and strains affect us.

The only way to determine what really works best for you is to do the old fashioned method of trial and error.  At first it can be a little overwhelming with such a variety of strains to choose from.  Where do I even start?  Lets try to make things easier by breaking it down into a few steps.  Check out our section “What Strain is Right for You?” for a step by step guide.

Cannabis vaping has been around and used by all walks of life for thousands of years and is now available to suite the needs of any lifestyle.  Vaping is another form of cannabis consumption that is fast, easy, and effective.  Vaping products, especially portable devices, are flooding the market giving the consumer a variety of options.  Consumers are now given the option to vape dried cannabis flower or cannabis concentrate.  Concentrates are made from separating and filtering out impurities and excess lipids(fats) from the Cannabis plant.  This process should provide a purer product that contains a higher ratio of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds than flower alone. Whether you are vaping flower or concentrate, this form of consumption provides the consumer with a cleaner inhaling experience than if smoked using a flame.  To activate the beneficial compounds in cannabis such as CBD and THC, a flame or high temperature device is required.  When the plant material is burned, carcinogens and tar are created, that are then inhaled as smoke.  Carcinogens are what cause cancer.  Vaping uses a lower heating temperature that simply melts off excess lipids and activates the compounds without causing combustion.  This reduces the production amount of carcinogens and tar by an exponential amount.  Vaping is a great alternative that offers the same amount of control over dosing and symptom relief as smoking cannabis does, without the smoke, odor, and extra bad stuff.

There are several options to choose from when it comes to picking a Vaping device, these include:

Table Top Vaporizers –  Electric devices typically designed to vaporize dried flower into a bag or hose, then the vapor is inhaled.  This is the cleanest and healthiest form that one can inhale cannabis.  Table Top Vaporizers heat the plant material at a very low setting.  This allows the highest concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes to be retained, while keeping the production of carcinogens to a minimal.   After one use of a Table Top Vaporizer, most similar devices will be familiar enough to use without further explanation. Table Top Vaporizers are constructed of 4 parts: a temperature dial to assure heating accuracy, a heating element that burns the cannabis product, a heating chamber where the product is placed, and a mouth piece (typically a bag or hose).

Portable Vaporizers –  Similar to a Table Top Vaporizer, these also typically give you the option to burn flower or concentrates.  They use a heating device, usually some sort of coil, and are controlled by a temperature dial or button system.  Portable vaporizers are indeed portable and able to transport and charge almost anywhere.  They are also nice and discreet, which is very convenient.  Whether you prefer flower or concentrate, consumers can enjoy a smokeless experience with the same control.  To use, take your bud or oil, place it in the heating chamber, pick a setting, hold the button, and inhale to the amount of your liking.  Use caution when loading your product, be gentle and don’t over pack or you could break your coil.  Most portable vaporizers come with a few settings to choose from, all ranging in temperatures.  Keep in mind, the hotter the setting, the harsher the hit is, and the loss of cannabinoids and terpenes will be greater.

Vape Pens –  Vape pens are climbing in popularity due to their simplicity, convenience, and discreetness.  There are vape pens that are disposable and ones that have a replaceable cartridge containing cannabis oil or concentrate.  The disposable vape pens are easy to use and have a set amount of concentrate.  After all the oil is smoked, these pens can be thrown away.  Disposable pens are a great choice for a first timer or someone who has a light smoking schedule.  They are also convenient for consumers trying new strains or concentrates.  Since dispensaries don’t typically honor product returns for dissatisfaction, disposable vape pens are ideal for consumers to have a chance at trying something without breaking the bank.  If smoking concentrates is your thing, investing in a vape pen might be the way to go.  Vape pens consist of two parts, a battery and a replaceable cartridge.  Error on the side of caution and always ask your budtender if a cartridge is compatible with your battery before you checkout unless they come as a set.  Some companies only make their products compatible with their own, and other brands cartridges or batteries will not work.  Vape pen cartridges come in a variety of sorts and are made with different solvents and usually contain some sort of additive to make the concentrate vapable.  Different types of solvents used in oil cartridges are propane, butane, carbon dioxide, and sometimes ethanol alcohol.  When choosing any form of concentrate, it’s important to make sure it’s from a reputable brand and free of any left over solvents.  Also, make sure it is free of any extra chemicals and pesticides.  So make sure your concentrates are tested ladies!  Tainted concentrates can make you feel ill, paranoid, and can leave your head feeling cloudy.  If the oil is too thick, some companies cut their oil with additives to thin it out enough to make it vapable.  There is not enough research to determine which additives are actually safe so we recommend choosing products that are 100% additive free.  There are plenty of quality, reputable products that contain zero additives.  We make sure to do our research and only carry products that are additive free.  That is our promise to you.  Some popular additives that are used currently in the market are vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and medium chain triglycerides like coconut oil.  Often terpenes are also introduced into or back into these cartridges as well.  Cannabis terpenes are what you need to be looking for.  Cannabis terpenes are fine, and can create a greater product effect, food-grade terpenes on the other hand, despite their potent flavor, should be left alone.  There is not enough research on the effects of inhaling these flavorings and its better to be safe then sorry.

Edibles provide totally different effects then any other form of cannabis consumption.  This is a good choice for someone with respiratory issues or for those who need longer-lasting results.  They tend to take longer to kick in but typically last for much longer than other forms of cannabis consumption.  Edibles come in such a variety of yummy treats now days.  Gummies, drinks, chocolate, candies, cookies, brownies, honey, rice crispies, coffee etc…you name it, it’s probably out there.  There are two ways medicated edibles are made, with cannabis flower or cannabis extract.  Most of them are made by cooking the cannabis material with a cooking agent such as coconut oil or butter and making it into something scrumptious.  Cooking cannabis, activates the cannabinoids, which are then absorbed through our stomach and intestinal walls and processed by the liver.  The effects take longer to feel but last a lot longer once they kick in.  The results from ingesting cannabis typically last for about 4-6 hours but sometimes can last longer.  The recommended first dose for taking a medible (medicated edible) is 5mg.  Wait 45 minutes and then increase your intake in 5mg amounts until the seeked amount of relief is reached.  Depending on how full the stomach is, will effect how soon the medible can be felt.  On an empty stomach, effects can be felt as soon as 15min and on a fuller stomach can sometimes take over two hours to kick in.  Medibles effect everyone differently, some have a higher natural tolerance and it takes to feel the effects or relieve symptoms than others.  On the other hand, there are those who are more sensitive, like myself, who can have a much different experience.  My first time having an edible, (was home-made and not accuratly dosed, I might add) was filled with anxiety and a very uncomfortable feeling of being “too high.”  It wasn’t like any cannabis high that I had experienced before, I could feel it more in my body and I didn’t know how to get rid of the feeling.  It seemed like it was going to last forever.  Thankfully my knowledge has grown alot since then and has our options as consumers.  There are an abundance of edibles that have accurate, consistent, easy dosing options, that make edibles a reliable and hasslefree option.  There are also ways of helping decrease the possible uncomfortable experience if the feeling of being too high arises.   Although Cannabis has never been known to result in death, the feeling of ingesting too much can be overbearing and tmay take a few hours to go away.  To have the best experience, edibles are best to be tested in smaller doses and gradually built up until finding what feels right for you.  Most edibles now have a specific way to divide the product equally and minister an accurate dose.  So when choosing a medicated edible use caution, not enough is better then too much.  If purchasing from a dispensary don’t hesitate to ask your budtender abount the cannabinoid content of the medible and the recommended dosing for that product.  Some edibles contain CBD, THC, or both.  Make sure you know what effect you are looking for so you can choose the right medible for you.

Cannabis-based tinctures were a standard American medicine in the late 1800- early 1900s. They are available in a variety of cannabinoid formulations and dosages. Tinctures are absorbed sublingually, so the cannabinoids go directly to the bloodstream.

Onset: The onset of alcohol-based tinctures is faster than edibles- but not as rapid as inhalation methods. Full effects are usually felt within 20-30 minutes.

Duration: Frequent users may find that effects last for a couple of hours, whereas infrequent cannabis users may feel the effects for several hours.

Pros: Some formulas have concentrations of less available cannabinoids like THCV and CBN. Very discreet, with no odor.

Cons: Tinctures are commonly formulated with alcohol, which may not be desirable for some users. Light, heat and oxygen will degrade the THC content, so bottles must be opaque and tightly sealed.