With thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia now allowing medical cannabis consumption, it seems logical that new patients are coming on board every day. And with every new patient, there is a whole host of questions in need of answers. Here’s one: if I want to take medical cannabis, do I have to vape it?
The short answer is ‘no’. But the question requires a bit more investigation. Let’s start with the medical cannabis card and what it accomplishes on behalf of a patient. Once you understand how medical cannabis cards work, the question of how to consume your medicines is easier to answer.
Not a Prescription
BeehiveMed is a Salt Lake City, Utah organization that helps patients obtain their medical cannabis cards in Utah. One of the things they make clear is that cards are not prescriptions. A patient will not go to a doctor to get a cannabis prescription written. Instead, the patient obtains a card he can then use to buy different cannabis medicines at a local pharmacy.
By contrast, a prescription names a specific drug along with its form, dosage, and potency. The patient takes that prescription to a pharmacy where it is filled according to the instructions given by the doctor. In addition, the patient has no say in what is dispensed to him. He gets what the prescription calls for.
Many Different Delivery Methods
Like other prescription drugs, medical cannabis comes in many forms. Each of those forms calls for a specific delivery method. Among the most common is the cannabis vaping liquid. Just like a nicotine vape, a cannabis vape requires the use of an electric vaporizer that heats the liquid to a temperature high enough to cause vaporization.
Because most states do not allow smoking medical cannabis for health reasons, vaping is the preferred method for consuming one’s medicines. Delivery is easy, onset is fast, and users have more control over their consumption.
Similar to vaping is a practice known as dry heating. This practice also utilizes a special device that makes use of dry plant material. The plant material is heated to a temperature high enough to release the THC without actually burning the cannabis.
Other Delivery Methods
The delivery method for both vaping and dry heating is inhalation. Patients inhale THC directly into the lungs. From there, it goes right into the bloodstream. Patients not fond of inhalation have other delivery methods:
Sublingual – Sublingual delivery involves the use of sprays and tinctures. The medicine is applied under the tongue where it’s absorbed by the skin and transferred to the bloodstream.
Edible – Edible medical cannabis products come in the form of pills, tablets, gummies, etc. They are similar in function to other medical edibles and oral supplements.
Transdermal – A transdermal product is applied through the skin. It can be in the form of a cream, lotion, or patch (like the nicotine patch).
The thing that knew medical cannabis patients should know about the different delivery methods is that both onset and duration differ from one method to the next. Inhalation provides the quickest onset, while edibles tend to offer the longest duration. Patients are generally encouraged to speak with their pharmacists to figure out the best delivery methods based on need.
If you are new to medical cannabis and not fond of the idea of vaping, you’re in luck. There are other ways to take your medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about your options. Between the two of you, you should be able to come up with a good plan.