Delivery Methods

There are three basic ways to take your medicine:

• Oral — Sublingual / Capsules / Edibles
• Inhalation — Vaporized / Burned
• Topical — Creams / Salves

There are many ways to ingest cannabis, each with its own benefits. In the state of PA, burning flower is not permitted — patients must use some type of dry herb vaporizer. This is an effective and quick way to ingest cannabis into your lungs, with a quick activation time and an average high of 45 min to 2 hrs depending on your tolerance. It is also much cleaner when vaporizing because there is no combustion and no other harmful chemicals are created.

Oil cartridges are also available that you vaporize, similar to flower but with no clean up necessary. They contain higher concentrations of cannabinoids and are good for people with higher tolerances. RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a great product to use for cooking since it's already activated and requires much less work than if you were to make edibles using flower.

Types of Concentrates & Oil Cartridges

There are different types of concentrate products available. They come in different forms that depend on what type of extraction process was used, but most are very high concentrates of cannabinoids that are good for patients with very high tolerances. Capsules are a good way to get a consistent dose once you figure out what that dose is. For those who aren't comfortable vaporizing, sublingual products let you hold the medicine under your tongue for a certain period of time.

Pros & Cons by Method

Smoking (Flower)

Effects: Felt immediately, 30 min to peak, can last up to 3 hours

Pros: Instantly absorbed, instant relief, quick feeling, easy to regulate dosage, inexpensive, minimally processed, multiple ways to consume.

Cons: Can be harmful to lungs/respiratory system. Not a good option for those with lung problems. Smell of smoke sticks to people/place. Note: In PA, burning flower is not permitted — a dry herb vaporizer is required.

Vaporizing (Flower/Concentrates/Oil Cartridges)

Effects: Felt immediately, can last up to 2 hours

Pros: Lighter and clearer effects. Oils for vaping can have high levels of THC. Portable vaporizers are discreet. Vaping flower can produce more taste. Minimal smoke smell. Cleaner and healthier way to consume. Provides instant relief. Does not impact lungs like smoking.

Cons: Lighter effects can mean weaker effects to some. Not cleaning a dry leaf unit can result in it getting very dirty. Vaping units can be expensive and require charging and heat time.

Dabbing/Concentrates

Effects: Felt immediately, very strong high, can provide relief for those with higher tolerances

Pros: Effects felt immediately. Strong immediate relief. Good for those seeking a strong high. Strong taste and aroma. Potent. Different types of concentrates give users various methods to consume.

Cons: For experienced users only. Can overwhelm a novice. Can be a complicated process. Can cause your tolerance to rise.

Edibles

Effects: Long lasting effects, 30 min to several hours to kick in

Pros: Long-lasting relief. Good alternative for those who can't or won't smoke. Can be a tasty treat. Dosage can be very precise.

Cons: Dosage can be off if made by a novice. Edibles take half an hour to several hours to kick in, which may lead to overconsumption. The high is different than smoking. Note: Commercially produced edibles are not currently available in PA, but patients and caregivers may cook their own.

Ingestible Oil (Sublingual/RSO)

Effects: Effects last longer than smoking

Pros: Several methods of consumption. Great for those who don't like smoking. Preferred method for treating children. Easy to store. Discrete. Facilitates proper doses.

Cons: If it contains high levels of THC a novice may experience unwanted effects. Can be expensive depending on potency.

Tincture (Alcohol Based)

Effects: Fast acting, long lasting effects

Pros: Discrete. Fast acting. Long lasting effects. Accurate dosing. Long shelf life. Good option for consumers who don't smoke. Good option for seniors or children.

Cons: May have an unpleasant taste. A tincture with high THC may have unwanted effects on a novice. Uses alcohol for extraction, which may be an unwanted ingredient for some consumers.