Routes of Administration
Smokeable Flower
The dispensaries typically sell the smokeable flower in 3.5 gram jars, called eighths, but they also sell pre-rolls which are usually a half gram or a full gram. With the typical 2.5 ounces prescribed, you can buy up to 20 eighths every 35-days. With experimentation, you will get a feel for how much smokeable flower you should use for maximum relief.
Start low and go slow! You can always smoke more, but you can’t un-smoke.
Sublingual
The Sublingual route will include tinctures. These are typically fast-absorbing and somewhat long-lasting. The typical onset time for tinctures is ~5 minutes and the effects typically last 2 hours-6 hours. Tinctures are good for medicating stealthily, because they don’t leave any lingering odors. The type of tincture you are looking for will depend on the type of relief you are looking for.
Oral
The Oral route will include the following: tinctures (these can be dispensed as oral or sublingual), capsules, RSO (Rick Simpson Oil), and distillate syringes. The onset time of capsules is ~30 minutes and the effects can last 4 hours-12 hours depending on the dose and your tolerance. Like tinctures, all of the orally consumed products are good for medicating stealthily because they are easy to consume and they don’t leave any lingering odors.
RSO, or Rick Simpson Oil, is a full spectrum cannabis oil, made with the full plant material, including all of the terpenes and cannabinoids. This product is good for people with high pain levels and it can be beneficial for sleep. RSO is known to be one of the most healing products in the cannabis world, but the flavor can be rather bitter, so we recommend mixing it with food or putting a little bit into an empty capsule and taking it like a pill.
Distillate Syringes are the most versatile products you will find in the dispensary. Don’t worry though, you will not be injecting the oil! This distillate oil will come in a syringe and you can squeeze out a small rice grain-sized drop on your finger or a piece of fruit, and you can eat it for a medicating effect. The reason distillate is so versatile is because it can be eaten directly, cooked with, mixed with lotion to create a topical cream, vaporized, and smoked. You can fill empty vape cartridges with distillate or put a drop of it on top of your flower before you smoke (for a stronger effect). Remember to start low and go slow because distillate is a concentrated form of cannabis and it can take an hour or so for the full effects to be felt. You can adjust your dosage accordingly to fit your needs.
Topical
The topical route will include lotions, balms, and patches. The topicals can help with local pains you may have, like a sore knee or a bruised shoulder. They can relieve pain and inflammation from certain injuries or conditions. Topicals are a great addition to your cannabis regimen because they can be used as needed and provide a lot of pain relief without any type of high. However, some topicals, such as the patches, will have a systemic effect, and can therefore get you high, so always feel free to ask the budtender at the dispensary if the topical has any psychoactive properties. We recommend looking for a topical product with a blend of THC and CBD because the entourage effect will expedite your relief!
Inhalation
The inhalation route will include cannabis concentrates in the following forms: distillate oil, vaporizer cartridges, and wax (shatter, rosin, live resin). The cartridges are great for immediate relief from anxiety or pain, because they are fairly discrete and do not leave a lingering odor (the vapor might leave a smell for 5 minutes or so, but then it will dissipate). You will need to have a rechargeable battery (known as a 510 thread) to use the vape cartridge, and most dispensaries carry these batteries. You will simply charge the battery, screw the cartridge on, press the button, and inhale! Some dispensaries sell all-in-one disposables and these do not require a 510 thread battery. Start with a half-second hit to test it out, and then you can take a longer pull if desired. The onset time for inhalable cannabis concentrates is ~2 minutes and the effects typically last 1 hour-5 hours.
The wax is also great for immediate relief, but it may be better suited for at-home, because you will likely use a rig (small bong) to “dab” the wax. Wax is good for people with high tolerances because it is very concentrated and fast-acting. You can search Youtube for “how to take a dab” or one of our care consultants will be able to walk you through the process (Bene and Bridge are the connoisseurs with this). If you are just getting started with cannabis, we recommend waiting for the wax until you feel you are truly ready. Dabs can be a fun and effective way to medicate, but the proper precautions must be taken because the high can be intense for newer patients!
Edibles
The edible route includes exactly what you think– edibles! Some dispensaries specialize in cookies and soft chews, whereas other dispensaries specialize in chocolates and lozenges, so feel free to shop around and figure out which edibles work best for you! The edibles are usually sold in packs of 10, with each piece having 10mg of THC or a combination of CBD and THC. The typical onset time for edibles is ~15 minutes-1 hour and the effects typically last ~3 hours-8+ hours depending on the dosage and your tolerance. We recommend setting a 90-minute timer after eating an edible. If you desire a stronger effect after the 90 minutes, you can eat another piece. This way you can figure out a proper dose for yourself without getting too medicated on your first try.
Additional Tips
Pro-Tip #1: If you ever do get “too medicated” and want to be more clear-headed, you can take some high-CBD tincture. CBD actually counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC, and will provide a feeling of relaxation and ease. Take a dropperful of CBD tincture, hold it under your tongue until it dissolves, and then take a few deep breaths. You got this!
Pro-Tip #2: High-CBD products are good for inflammation and anxiety-relief and can contribute to expedited healing and relaxation, whereas High-THC products may be better for pain-relief and can even enhance creativity. When used together, though, they become somewhat of a superstar duo, making way for the Entourage Effect. This is when CBD combines with THC, along with other cannabinoids and terpenes, to create more medical benefits and a more well-rounded experience. Look for products that use full spectrum cannabis as one of the ingredients, because that is where you will really find a lot of the healing powers that cannabis has to offer.If you have any questions or concerns about your cannabis products or your experiences, feel free to reach out to a Wilson Cannamedicine care consultant and they can help you figure out the best approach for you.