Cannabis can be used medicinally in various forms. Most commonly, patients use dried buds, flowers, and leaves of the cannabis plant. To avoid inhaling burned carbon, many patients prefer using a vaporizer. This device heats the plant material to a specific temperature that evaporates the cannabinoids without burning the plant.
Cannabis can also be cooked into foods like cookies, brownies, and savory dishes. It is often added to recipes as herbed butter, infused oils, or tinctures. These forms allow for precise dosing, usually measured with a dropper, to maintain an optimal therapeutic window.
Fresh cannabis leaves are consumed by some patients as part of a salad or juiced, often mixed with other vegetable juices to mask the bitter taste. Fresh cannabis contains CBD and THC in their acid forms, with THC not being psychoactive in this state. This makes raw cannabis ideal for patients needing high CBD intake for therapeutic purposes. While ongoing studies aim to confirm the benefits of raw cannabis, current knowledge comes from physician case studies and patient testimonials.
Kief and hashish are products of collected resin from mature cannabis flowers. The resin is typically separated using a sieve or ice water. Kief refers to the loose resin crystals, while hashish is made by heating and pressing kief.
Tinctures can be made by dissolving plant material in alcohol or glycerin, useful for oral or topical applications. These tinctures form the basis of medicinal creams, balms, and lotions. Alternatively, cannabis can be mixed with hemp oil, almond oil, or coconut oil to create skin creams and food products.
Solvents like hexane, isopropyl alcohol, and butane are used to extract cannabis compounds, resulting in high concentrations of cannabinoids. However, this method is dangerous due to the flammability of the solvents. Modern technology has improved the safety of these extractions, reducing the risk of accidents.
Solventless extracts, known as rosin, are made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant using heat and pressure. This method does not involve any solvents. Cannabis extracts can be designed to work with vaporizers or cartridges.
Which Cannabis Form Is For You?
Flower: Any dried cannabis flower buds whether grown indoor, outdoor or greenhouse methods. The most classic form of cannabis, can be enjoyed in various smoking utensils.
Edibles: Any form of food typically treats such as gummies & chocolate that is infused with cannabis whether from extracts such as distillate or made with cannabis infused butter. Best for those who dont want any smoke in their lungs.
Carts/Vapes: Cannabis extracts newest and most popular technology, a cartridge style vaporize filled with cannabis extracts such as distillate, live or cured resin or rosin. Best for the on the go or discreet smokers or people who want to smoke but be nicer to their lungs.
Dabs/Extracts: Cannabis extracts classic form. Typically the strongest most potent form of smoking cannabis. Large varieties of consistencies and styles, all paired with mechanisms that heat up the oil to the proper temperature whether through glass or electronic devices.
Tincture/RSO/FECO: Make your own edibles or consume these products raw, typically a higher concentrated form of cannabinoids that can be digested either eaten or dissolved under tongue for different lengths or strengths of effects. Best for those with severe ailments looking for relief.
Topicals: Any form of cannabis oil, cream, lotion etc., that is used on the epidermal layer to give relief to specific areas. Great for those looking for pain relief.
