If you’re new to the cannabis industry, cannabis consumption can be a bit of a learning curve. Beyond the fact that many simply don’t know how to smoke, many are also unaware of the variety of ways we can intake cannabis products.
The purpose of this article is to teach newcomers how to properly consume cannabis while showing the various different approaches people already take. At the end, we invite you to ask further questions.
Inhalation
Without a doubt, the most common way to consume cannabis is through inhalation. For newcomers, inhaling cannabis properly can be a tricky feat.
It’s common for people who have never smoked before to suck on a pipe or joint in hopes it will give them a hit. However, sucking the smoking brings it down your throat rather than your lungs. And it’s through your lungs you’ll experience the psychoactive effects you desire.
Instead of sucking, you want to inhale – as you would when you breath. A good trick for newcomers to try is holding smokable up to their mouths and then take in a breath – as you would of fresh air.
This will allow the smoke to travel from the smokable and down into your lungs.
Inhalation Methods
As a newcomer, you may not be sure as to what kind of smokable works best for you. Luckily, there are a number of different inhalation methods.
Once you get a feel for these devices, you’re going to notice each produces a different kind of experience and influence on your high. With that, you’re bound to develop your own preference.
Hand Pipes
We highly suggest newcomers take their first hits of cannabis through a hand pipe for three reasons:
- They’re easy-to-use in comparison to other smoking methods.
- They don’t hit you as hard as other smoking methods – giving you a chance to see whether or not you enjoy the high.
- They’re small, convenient, and fit perfectly into a handbag.
Hand pipes have developed a reputation as many glass artists have gotten creative with their looks and feel. Some make pipes look like everyday household decoration (as a means of keeping it in disguise) while other may make something a bit more wacky to show off to your friends.
A hand pipe works by trapping the smoke produced in its glass container, allowing users to inhale it at convenience. Most come with a filtration hole near the bowl which will (when seal) keep the cannabis smoke concealed and (when released) allow air to pass through.
Water Pipes (Bongs and Bubblers)
By implementing water into a pipe, the smoke from burning cannabis has the ability to smooth down. In turn, this allows users to take in larger hits of cannabis while not destroying their throats and lungs.
It should be noted, the health risks for water pipe consumption are still unknown. Some believe that by cooling down the smoke you are, in effect, easing the effects it has on your body. But at the end of the day, nobody is certain this is an effective filtration method.
Water pipes are similar to hand pipes in the sense that people have gotten creative with the way they look.
Furthermore, water pipes come in two forms:
- Bong – A larger pipe that provides it’s user’s with a stronger hit.
- Bubbler – A smaller pipe that provides a stronger hit compared to a hand pipe, but less of a hit compared to a bong.
As a newcomer, you may want to wait until you dive more into your cannabis career before trying these consumption methods out. Since they provide a stronger punch in comparison to the hand pipe, they may leave you with an overwhelming high.
Rolling Papers (Joints and Blunts)
Rolling papers allow you to take your cannabis and turn it into what looks like a cigarette or thin cigar. Some people prefer to use papers made of hemp, bamboo, or rice (joint), while others choose to use a cigar paper made from tobacco plant (blunt).
There’s is a learning curve here as you’ll need to learn how to roll with cannabis with can be difficult for newcomers. Still, you always have the option to purchase a pre-roll (a joint or blunt already rolled for you) through a medical marijuana dispensary.
Both are great for newcomers as they provide smooth hits that don’t overwhelm the throat and lungs. However, it should be noted, if you opt to use a cigar paper made from tobacco, it will contain nicotine – a highly addictive chemical found in the tobacco plant.
Vaporizers
For those who remain health conscious, but still want to give marijuana a try, a vape might just be your best option. The purpose of a vape is to heat cannabis to a point where cannabinoids (such as THC or CBD) are extracted, however, low enough to a point where there’s no risk of harmful chemicals.
In turn, vaporization produces the least health risks to those who want to inhale cannabis. Furthermore, there’s much less of an odor, so, vaporizing is also one of the most discreet ways to consume.
You have a number of different options when it comes to vaporizing weed. Not only are there a number of different models, but each come with their own portability and distinct effects.
Furthermore, you also have the option to use vaporizers to consume cannabis concentrates, which are a more condensed version of cannabis that provides users with more THC.
Oral Delivery
Some newcomers feel as though inhalation isn’t for them. If you’ve never been a smoker or simply don’t find smoking attractive, this is completely understandable.
Luckily, with new and improved science, there are a number of different ways to consume cannabis that don’t involve inhalation. One of the most popular is through oral delivery.
Oral Delivery Methods
Oral delivery is when you digest a cannabis product. This has a different effect on the body in comparison to inhalation.
Since your lungs aren’t absorbing the cannabinoids and, instead, you stomach and digestive system is, the effects of cannabis are both prolonged and take longer to kick in.
Edibles
Cannabis edibles come in all shapes and sizes – from brownies to cookies to some of your favorite candies. You may also run into cannabis beverages, such as THC coffee or tea.
Edibles are usually made by infusing the cannabis plant’s properties with an ingredient that’s high in fat, such as butter or olive oil. By doing this, you all consumers to simply eat their cannabis rather than inhaling it.
If you’re a newcomer, we suggest you be careful with edibles. They can pack a powerful punch, depending on the dosage, and leave people with an overwhelming high. Unlike inhalation, this high can last upwards of six to eight hours.
If you are a newcomer and still want to give edibles a try, we suggest taking a very small dose and working your way up. This will allow you to see how the cannabis makes you feel and whether you desire more or less.
Capsules
Another way people orally deliver cannabis is through a pill concentrated with THC or CBD. Though this isn’t the most popular oral delivery method, it without a doubt is a great option for those who don’t want to inhale cannabis smoke.
Capsules work exactly the same as edibles in the sense that you digest it and allow it to work its way through your bloodstream.
A notable difference is capsules tend to give you more control of your dosage. Since each capsule has an exact amount of THC or CBD, you’re aware of the dosage your body is receiving.
Tinctures
When it comes to CBD, the most popular consumption method is through a tincture (or CBD oil). A tincture is an oil base that easy to consume with a cannabinoid extract placed inside.
These oils are another great consumption method for newcomers as they’re easy to swallow and allow you to measure the exact dosage.
Final Thoughts
There are a few other cannabis consumption methods we didn’t mention on this list, such as dab rigs and cannabis topicals (i.e. creams and lotions).
The purpose of this list was to give newcomers a basic idea of how to consume cannabis while informing of the various consumption methods. We hope our list provided you with enough information to get you started and helped inform you of how these different consumption methods work.
Your Questions
Still have questions concerning how to consume cannabis?
We invite you to ask them in the comments section below. If you have any further information on the subject, we’d also love to hear from you.
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