Like any medicine, cannabis can be misused. Excessive or
inappropriate use can contribute to problems including sleepiness, overeating,
and time management issues. Due to the political climate surrounding cannabis
use research, clinical studies have produced widely conflicting conclusions
about the true benefits and potential side effects of cannabis use. Always
listen to the advice of your doctor and use good judgment when using medical
cannabis. These guidelines help identify ways of using medical cannabis in a
positive way.
Methods of
Consumption
Medical Cannabis can be ingested in many different ways.
Effects may vary slightly with different methods of consumption. The length of
time it takes for the medicine to take effect, and the length of time that the
medicine remains effective, can vary greatly with different methods of
consumption.
Smoking Cannabis
The most common ingestion method has traditionally been to
smoke the dried flowers and/or leaves of the cannabis plant. Dried cannabis can
be smoked in a pipe, rolled into a cigarette (or ‘joint’), or smoked using a
water pipe (commonly called a ‘bong’). Water pipes were once thought to filter
out some of the carcinogens in cannabis smoke, but studies suggest that there
is no significant health benefit to smoking from a water pipe over other
smoking methods. Regularly smoking any plant material can have a negative
impact on pulmonary health, and therefore we recommend patients
use vaporizers or edible forms of medicine whenever possible.
Vaporizing
Cannabis
A vaporizer is a device that allows the patient to separate
the cannabinoids (the therapeutically effective chemicals in cannabis) from the
plant material without burning. This is possible because cannabinoids vaporize
(turn to a gaseous form that can be inhaled) at a temperature lower than that
required for burning. As a result, the patient can inhale without taking in the
burned plant material that constitutes “smoke”. While scientific studies are
lacking, it is commonly believed that vaporizing is a healthier form of
ingestion than smoking cannabis. Vaporizing is believed to mitigate many if not
all of the negative effects of smoking. It tastes better as well. If you are
used to smoking your medicine, you may think that you aren’t “getting anything”
at first when you vaporize, because vapor does not burn the throat. Even though
the vapor doesn’t burn, it is still quite effective. Use caution and wait a few
minutes to feel the full effects before taking more.
Edible Cannabis
Edibles are foods cooked with butter or oil that has been
infused with cannabis. Edible cannabis usually takes longer to take effect (20
minutes to an hour or more) and the effects generally last longer than smoking
or vaporizing. Edibles taken on an empty stomach will take effect significantly
faster than if taken immediately following a meal. It is difficult to know how
strong an edible medicine will be, and because it can take an hour or more to
feel the full effects, it is easy to over-medicate. Use caution! If you have
taken your medicine in an edible form, wait at least an hour to be sure you
know how strongly it will affect you before taking more.
Edible Treats
Any food that contains butter or oil can be made with
cannabis-infused butter or oil, but the most common edibles are cookies,
brownies, cakes, or candies.
Oils and Honeys
Cannabis infused oils can be used directly in foods,
consumed in capsules, or mixed with honey to be used in tea or on other foods.
Tinctures
A tincture is a concentrated form of cannabis in an alcohol or vegetable glycerin solution. Tinctures can be taken under the tongue or mixed into water or other beverages.
Types of Cannabis
Medicine
Cannabis Flowers
and Leaves
Commonly referred to as ‘buds’, the flowers of the cannabis
plant are the most potent for medicinal properties. The leaves of the cannabis
plant also contain some cannabinoids, but in much lower concentration. The
flowers and leaves of the plant can be smoked, vaporized, or used to prepare
edibles.
Hash
Hash or Hashish is manufactured by separating the trichomes
from the cannabis flowers, to create a concentrated dose of this specific part
of the cannabis plant. (The trichomes are the clear, white or amber crystals that you see on
dried cannabis flowers.) The trichomes are then processed into a relatively
solid paste or block. Hash can be somewhat powdery or more solid and sticky,
depending on exactly how it was processed.
Kief
Kief is also made from the trichome part of the cannabis
flower. Kief is just the dried trichomes, without any further processing. It
comes as a dry powder. It can be smoked or vaporized or used to make edibles.
It is often sprinkled on the top of cannabis before smoking or vaporizing, to
augment the trichome content in the flowers. Some grinders (used to evenly cut
up the cannabis flowers before vaporizing or smoking) have a small-mesh screen
at the bottom for the purpose of collecting kief over time.
Sativa vs. Indica
Cannabis is the botanical name of a genus of annual
flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. There are over 150 species and 10
genera included in the Cannabaceae family. Besides cannabis, the hop plant
(often used in the production of beer) is also part of the Cannabaceae family.
Some species of cannabis (indica and sativa) produce fairly
large amounts of a chemical known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (a cannabinoid
commonly called THC). Cannabis plants that are grown for their THC content are
referred to as marijuana plants. Plants in the cannabis genus are commonly
referred to as hemp plants, but the term hemp is more appropriately used to
describe cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial purposes (like
clothing, fuel, etcetera) rather than THC content.
Medical cannabis comes in two basic types: sativa and
indica. Each type has its own distinct set of characteristics. Medical cannabis
types are available from pure sativa strains to pure indica strains, and
include every combination in between.
Cannabis Sativa
Cannabis Sativa is a tall, slower growing and maturing plant
that typically has long thin leaves which may vary in color from light green to
darker greens. Sativa buds are long and thin and turn red as they mature in a
warm environment. In cooler environments the buds may be slightly purple.
Sativa plants smell sweet and fruity and the smoke is generally quite mild. It
is a source of fiber for rope and other products.
The cannabis sativa medicating effect is often characterized
as uplifting and energetic. The effects of a cannabis sativa are mostly
cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well-being, as well as providing
a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms. A few pure sativas are also
very high in THC content. They are known to have a quite spacey, or hallucinogenic,
effect. Sativas are a good choice for daytime medication.
Cannabis Indica
Cannabis indica is a short to moderate height bushy plant,
generally between 3 and 6 feet, and its leaves have short broad fingers. The
leaves are generally dark green, and are sometimes tinged with purple. As they
near maturity, the leaves may become significantly more purple. It is a strong
smelling plant with a “stinky” or “skunky” smell. The smoke of indicas is
generally thick and more prone to cause coughing when inhaled. Indicas are the
traditional source of hashish.
The cannabis indica medicating effect is most often
described as a pleasant body buzz. Indicas are great for relaxation, stress
relief, and for an overall sense of calm and serenity. Cannabis indicas are
also very effective for overall body pain relief, and often used in the
treatment of insomnia. They are the late evening choice of many patients as an
all-night sleep aid. A few pure indica strains are very potent in THC, and will
cause the “couchlock” effect, enabling the patient to simply sit still and
enjoy the experience of the medicine.
Americans for Safe Access says:
Medical Marijuana Patients, Be Smart!
Many arrests for cannabis possession are due to traffic
violations and noise complaints.