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Choosing Safe and Effective Consumption Methods

Writer's picture: Christina  ShifflettChristina Shifflett


Hello, fellow cannabis enthusiasts! I hope y’all have had a great start to the year so far! 😊 We’re already wrapping up January, which is just wild. With all the uncertainty in the world, it can feel like things are out of control and choices are tough. But when it comes to medicinal cannabis, we do have control—over when, how, and by what method we take our medicine. Today, we’re diving into safe and effective cannabis consumption methods for different situations. Some might be new to you, while others are familiar. We’ll explore edibles, tinctures, creams and lotions, suppositories, and 3 different inhalation methods. Let’s jump in!


Edibles

One of the most well-known methods of consuming cannabis is edibles. Cannabis has been consumed in food and drink for centuries—remember Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, who drank cannabis tea as early as 2800 BC?1 More recently, Brownie Mary, a well-known cannabis advocate from 1980s-90s San Francisco, popularized cannabis brownies. Her story is worth a read!2 Simply put, edibles are any food or drink containing cannabis that is swallowed and processed through the digestive tract. As Leafly puts it: “Edibles refer to any food containing ‘marijuana,’ typically with the cannabinoids THC or CBD.”3 I’d add that drinks shouldn’t be left out—water-soluble cannabis beverages are becoming more popular.

Many prefer edibles for their discretion and long-lasting effects. Since they must pass through the stomach before absorption, they take about 45 minutes to kick in (sometimes faster or slower). The effects can last 6-12 hours, providing all-day or all-night relief—especially helpful for those managing chronic pain.

Things to Consider: Because edibles take longer to take effect and can stay in your system for hours, start low and go slow. Always begin with a low dose and wait at least 45 minutes to an hour before taking more. Accidentally consuming too much can lead to an uncomfortable experience lasting several hours.


Tinctures

Tinctures are sometimes grouped with edibles, but since they can also be taken sublingually (under the tongue) and require a few extra precautions, we’ll discuss them separately. Last week, we covered how tinctures are typically made with high-grade alcohol but can also be made with food-grade glycerin for those avoiding alcohol. Tinctures (and glycerites) can be taken orally—diluted in a drink, in gelatin capsules, or like a shot of liquor—or sublingually, held under the tongue or in the cheek pocket. When held in the mouth, medicine absorbs through the mucosal membrane and takes effect in 1-5 minutes.4 This makes tinctures a valuable tool for fast-acting relief. However, holding high-proof alcohol against soft tissues can cause irritation with repeated use. Because of this, I don’t usually recommend taking tinctures sublingually. Glycerites are more gentle but may be harder to find in dispensaries.

So why use tinctures? They tend to be stronger in potency—a great option in certain situations. Since tinctures are often swallowed instead of held in the mouth, they take about 45 minutes or more to take effect, similar to edibles. They also allow for higher doses in smaller liquid amounts, good for those who can't tolerate a lot of liquid or pills.

⚠️ Caution: Avoid using tinctures sublingually if you have open sores or wounds, and never give liquid medicine to someone who cannot swallow properly—it could lead to choking.


Creams & Lotions

This is my favorite way to recommend cannabis! With creams and lotions, you can apply cannabis directly to the area that needs relief—perfect for arthritis, muscle aches, and joint pain. These products absorb into the skin and interact with endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors, providing targeted relief.

Another perk? THC creams won’t cause a high because THC isn’t broken down in the stomach or liver. Plus, lotions help to moisturize and support skin health. There are plenty of options in dispensaries, so it’s all about finding what works best for you. My personal favorite CBD cream comes from a small, family-owned business in Dallas. If you’re looking for a quality CBD-only cream, I highly recommend checking out Diapedic CBD creams.


Suppositories

Suppositories are an underappreciated but highly effective method of cannabis administration. Like tinctures, they’ve been used successfully for a long time, yet they’re rarely discussed—probably because they’re not something you use in public. However, they can be incredibly useful for chronic pain or inflammation in the legs, pelvis, or back. Similar to creams and lotions, suppositories bypass the stomach and liver, meaning the risk of feeling high is very low. They can be inserted rectally or vaginally, taking effect in about 15 minutes and lasting 4–18 hours—comparable to edibles.5 Unfortunately research on women’s sexual health is lacking, but a recent study on cannabis suppository use in women with gynecological cancer found significant benefits for pain, inflammation, and sexual dysfunction.6 Anecdotally, many people with chronic pain from prolonged sitting or immobility swear by them.

There is a cannabis nurse out in California (Trusted Canna Nurse) who is doing great things with cannabis in general, but she also has cannabis suppositories on her site that have gained a lot of popularity. I would highly recommend you check her page out.


Inhalation (Smoking, Vaping, & MDIs)

Inhalation—smoking, vaping, or metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)—is the most well-known and accessible method of cannabis use, but it comes with considerations.

Smoking

A 2014 study in the American Thoracic Society journal found that smoking cannabis for up to 20 years had no measurable impact on lung function. However, smoking for over 20 years doubled the odds of lung function changes.7 That doesn’t mean smoking is risk-free—everyone’s lungs respond differently, and damage could occur sooner or not at all. That said, smoking can be beneficial in some situations. For example, someone with PTSD experiencing sudden symptoms may need immediate relief, making edibles or suppositories impractical.8

Vaping & MDIs

Vapes and metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) function similarly, delivering a concentrated dose quickly and discreetly. Initially, I was excited about MDIs as a medical option—until I saw an MDI with its extender removed. The inside was coated in oil, just like a vape cartridge. If that much residue builds up in the device, what does it do to your lungs? While vapes and MDIs are convenient and effective, inhaling oils comes with risks—including EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury).9 Given how vital lung health is, it’s important to stay informed about potential contaminants.


Whew, that was a lot! All of the text, thank you for getting through it. I hope this information is helpful to you. This information and a lot more is available in my book Medical Cannabis: Preparing for Oklahoma’s Dispensaries which is available here. We’re living in crazy times y’all and a lot of things are uncertain right now. I believe now is the time where we need to focus on learning as much as we can to help us stay as healthy as possible while our healthcare infrastructure changes. I would like to help you learn about staying healthy as related to medicinal cannabis. Please let me know if there’s any topics you would like to learn about, I’d love to talk to you about medicinal cannabis. Stay healthy out there! Until next time – Christina, the green nurse educator.

 


References:

  1. History of cannabis. The University of Sydney. Accessed January 27, 2025. https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html.

  2. Leafwell. Who Was Dennis Peron? The Father of Medical Marijuana. Leafwell. Published February 23, 2023. Accessed January 28, 2025. http://www.leafwell.com/blog/mary-jane-rathbun

  3. Edibles. Leafly. Published December 8, 2020. Accessed January 28, 2025. http://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/edibles

  4. Sublingual and Buccal Medication Administration | Encyclopedia.com. Encyclopedia.com. Published 2025. Accessed January 29, 2025. http://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/sublingual-and-buccal-medication-administration

  5. Canigma.com. Published 2025. Accessed January 29, 2025. https://canigma.com/picks/best-cannabis-and-cbd-suppositories/

  6. Banbury S, Tharmalingam H, Lusher J, Erridge S, Chandler C. A Preliminary Investigation into the Use of Cannabis Suppositories and Online Mindful Compassion for Improving Sexual Function Among Women Following Gynaecological Cancer Treatment. Medicina. 2024;60(12):2020-2020. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60122020

  7. Rodriguez Jr. I. Federal Study Finds Cannabis Beneficial for PTSD Treatment. www.vfw.org. Published September 21, 2021. https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2021/9/federal-study-finds-cannabis-beneficial-for-ptsd-treatment

  8. Harrell MB, Clendennen SL, Sumbe A, Case KR, Mantey DS, Swan S. Cannabis Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults: a Scoping Review. Current Addiction Reports. Published online May 7, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00413-y



Disclaimer

This blog post was created with assistance from AI to enhance formatting and visual style. All medical and educational information is carefully created and reviewed by The Green Nurse Educator to ensure accuracy and alignment with evidence-based practices. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions.

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