Methods of Consumption

Aside from stereotyped joints and bongs, many other methods are now available for the consumption of the cannabinoids and terpenes that are found within the cannabis plant - some of which are objectively safer than the smoke produced when burning dried cannabis flower.

Many are aware that cannabis can be both inhaled, via smoke or vapor, and also eaten, such as when infused into chocolate or beverages. The biggest differences between consumption methods for cannabis are onset time, potency, peak, and duration.

Inhalation has the fastest onset of all available methods, requiring only about 2-2.5 minutes for effects to begin. Ingestion, on the other hand, features the longest onset of any consumption method, requiring at least 45 minutes to two hours.

One benefit of edibles, however, is their enhanced bioavailability and greater potency in comparison to inhaled cannabis. The same amount of cannabis will produce more potent effects when eaten than when vaporized or smoked.

While smoked and vaped cannabis typically has a duration of two to four hours (depending on the amount consumed and other factors), edibles often last considerably longer, in the six to 10 hour range.  Again, these figures will vary depending on many factors - especially your tolerance and average weekly consumption levels.

Inhalation

When cannabis smoke or vapor is inhaled, cannabinoids and terpenes are absorbed into the blood through the lungs.

In only 2-3 milliseconds, the alveoli of the lungs absorb the available cannabinoids and terpenes and pass them into the blood. The molecules then travel directly from the lungs to the heart, where they are pumped up to the brain and pass-through the very selective blood/brain barrier to take effect.

With inhalation, effects typically peak within ten to 30 minutes and dissipate rapidly over the course of the following two to four hours. 

Smoking 

Smoking cannabis is possible via many different methods, including rolled joints, pipes, and a wide variety of bong designs.

Smoking offers the benefit of relatively fast onset and easily controlled dosing. This allows people to consume a small portion in the form of a single short inhalation, or toke, and wait a few minutes to gauge the efficacy of their dose.  If more hits are needed to achieve a desired effect, users can simply smoke more to ratchet up the potency of their session.

Vaporization

More commonly known as vaping, this is the second most popular form by which cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis are inhaled.  Unlike smoking, vaporization involves no direct flame and results in no combustion of cannabis flower or concentrate.  This produces no known carcinogens.

Edibles

These include everything from infused beverages (such as sparkling sodas and water) to chocolate, candy, and baked goods.

The benefits of edibles include the potential for much stronger and long-lasting effects, and the vast array of foods, beverages, and baked goods that can be infused with cannabinoids and terpenes.

A major downside of edibles is slow onset; 45 minutes to two hours is required to begin feeling the effects (onset and peak potency are two different things). 

Many first-time users consume too much because they do not understand the delay/slow onset.

Metabolization Differences

Many are unaware that eating cannabis does not result in absorption of standard THC.  Instead, when eaten, THC passes through and is metabolized by the stomach and liver, creating a metabolite of THC known as 11-hydroxy-THC.  

This is important, because 11-hydroxy-THC is significantly more effective at crossing the extremely selective blood/brain barrier to enter the brain and reach the specialized CB1 receptors within.

This results in effects that are much more potent and longer in duration.  This enhanced potency is what has caused some consumers of edibles, to experience disorientation, confusion, or panic.

This is a good time to remind you – start low, go slow!

The good news is, while someone who has overdone it on edibles may not enjoy the experience, they’re in absolutely no danger of true overdose, like is possible with other drugs.  Just remember – “you’re totally fine, it just takes time”

Various strategies can assist someone who becomes too high including chewing some black pepper corns (as recommended by Neil Young), hydration, meditation, and other calming exercises.

Tinctures and Sublingual Oil/Spray/Strips

Sublingual oils, sprays, and strips are decarboxylated and concentrated cannabis extracts intended to be applied under the tongue.  Sublingual administration offers the second fastest onset of any method (around 15-20 minutes).

Some sublingual oils, sprays, and strips can contain CBD only, THC only, or a mixture of both.