The clamor for medical and recreational cannabis is slowly picking up steam in a lot of regions both inside and outside the United States. If the trend continues, there’s a lot of hope that people will finally be able to enjoy their Sativa or Indica without guilt or shame wherever they are.
As such, the user-base has also expanded into the mainstream. However, smoking, the most popular delivery method for cannabis, isn’t for everyone. Lung issues, chronic illnesses, and a general aversion to inhaling foreign gases can easily prevent people from smoking cannabis.
Smoking also leaves you smelling distinctly of weed. In a lot of settings, this very particular scent might not be appropriate. If you’re trying to lessen your anxiety before a big job interview, for example, it might not be a good idea to smoke.
In these cases, you might want to try other ways of consuming your cannabis. Here are a couple of the most popular methods of getting that cannabis high without smoking:
Edibles
Getting high via edibles is probably the second most popular way of cannabis consumption next to smoking bud. From pot brownies to THC-infused tea, there’s a myriad of ways that people have invented to inject their cannabis products into food. It has become such a staple that even chocolate manufacturers have begun creating cannabis-infused chocolate bars meant specifically for baking brownies and cookies.
One of the best aspects of edibles is that it’s a beginner-friendly way to consume cannabis. It won’t leave new-comers in a coughing fit like smoking would certainly do. Even cigarette smokers transitioning to marijuana often catch a fit of cough after the first time they try it.
But don’t think of edibles as a lightweight mode of cannabis consumption. Edibles have one of the strongest and longest THC and CBD effects as compared to the other methods. This is because you basically consume THC and CBD in a concentrated form via your bloodstream through your gut by way of digestion.
It’s important, therefore, to make sure that you apply the concept of microdosing. Since the THC tends to take effect only after you’ve digested it, you need to wait around 2 hours to get high. This means you won’t know if the strain you’re using agrees with you until then. If you ingest too much cannabis-infused edibles, you’re going to have to go through a stronger and longer high than you signed up for.
If you’re interested in making your own edibles in the most beginner-friendly way, there are some products that you’re going to want to take a look at. The Magical Butter Machine is an important piece of equipment that a lot of enthusiasts recommend. It lets you make your own cannabis-infused butter that you can use for baking or cooking.
Tinctures
Non-smokers who aren’t a fan of cooking or baking their cannabis could also go for tinctures. This method involves extracting cannabis via alcohol.
In essence, tinctures are cannabis-infused oils. They can, therefore, be used in making edibles. But, to maximize the benefits of tinctures, it’s best consumed sublingually. This means putting a couple of drops on the surface of your tongue. Doing so makes it easier for the arteries on your tongue to absorb it as quickly as possible so you can feel the effect immediately.
If consumed sublingually, it makes for a pretty fast-acting CBD and THC delivery method. For most people, the effects should kick in after around 15 minutes. This makes it easier for you to figure out the right dosage. If the initial high isn’t as strong as you want it to be, just take another couple of drops. This way, your dosage is measured so you know exactly how much you need to drop to get exactly the kind of high that you want.
If, on the other hand, you choose to consume tinctures by putting a couple of drops on your food, the effect should be similar to edibles – slow-acting, long-lasting, and strong. Tinctures in edibles are usually consumed with beverages. Enthusiasts swear by cannabis-infused teas, coffees, and other oft-consumed drinks. For cold treats, users usually infuse their sherbets and ice creams with a couple of drops.
Another attractive aspect of tinctures is that it’s relatively easy to make. Simply grind a couple of marijuana buds and soak them in alcohol and then strain it with a coffee filter. The resulting solution should give you a cannabis-infused oil. If you’re in a hurry, you can use it immediately. However, for maximum effect, try to wait for a couple of weeks stirring it once a day.
Topicals
The cannabis revolution has also resulted in other ways to get your high that doesn’t even involve ingesting it. One of the most interesting methods is via topicals meaning via balms, lotions, and oils.
If you want to experience the benefits of THC and CBD without having to actually absorb them in your bloodstream, going to topical is the best way to do it. This method keeps the cannabis in a localized region.
Cannabis-infused topicals are usually mixed in with other compounds with a more specific desired effect. Mint-based cannabis salves, for example, are meant to soothe users while cannabis-infused lavender oil should be great for muscle recovery.
Lip balms imbued with cannabinoids are also growing in popularity these days. Mixing it with the antioxidant properties of grapeseed oils, and other flavors should give you supple and delicious lips all throughout the day. From facial masks, roll-on deodorants, to massage oils, there’s a virtually endless list of things you can mix with topical cannabis that can either boost or compound with the effects of cannabinoids.
For non-smokers, there’s an endless list of delivery methods for cannabis that you can choose from. What’s important is that you should stick with what’s comfortable with you. Practice microdosing and find exactly how much you need to get the desired effect. These non-smoking methods allow you to do this and much more.