As a culture, we've come a long way from heat-pressing knives, smoking from apples, and just rolling up a good J (not that there's anything wrong with any of that!)
In 2023, it's never been easier to find the right method of consumption that best fits you and your needs. While burning herb still remains one of, if not, the most popular way to catch a buzz, a handful of other MoCs have begun rising to popularity over the past decade or more.
The most popular methods to consume are...
- Smoking (joints, bowls, bongs, etc)
- Edibles (eating or drinking)
- Vaping (resins, rosins or distillates)
- Dabbing (shatter, wax, crumble, etc)
- Tinctures (water, alcohol, or oil-based)
- Topicals & Transdermals (exterior application)
This guide will provide you with the basics of each method and how to get started. For more info on each, use the links below (coming soon) to explore the options and learn more!
Flower
The OG of consumption methods, flower can be smoked in so many ways, it'd take up this entire post! More often than not, most people prefer a good ol' fashion joint, a toke from their favorite bowl, or a hit from the bong. While these 3 have undoubtedly made their marks on canna-history, stoners will always find new and exciting ways to get the most out of their bud.
Dosage
The intensity of effects from smoking flower are hard to determine, even for the most veteran of consumers. Like most methods, the key is this... start low & go slow! If you're new to this, start by taking 1-3 smaller puffs, pass it to a friend & have a good time. This is the key to a great experience!
Onset
The high usually starts to kick in around the 3-5 minute mark, sometimes up to 10 depending on the strains potency and how it was smoked. If you don't feel anything after 10 or 15 minutes, don't be afraid to take a few more hits.
Duration
Again, depending on the potency and method, effects from smoking a joint, bowl or bong will all vary, typically increasing in length, respectively. Generally, this high will last anywhere from 1-2 hours, but don't be surprised if it lasts awhile longer (that's some good s**t right there!)
Edibles
Dosage
The recommended recreational dose for edibles and other consumables may vary depending on your state, territory or country. Let's take my stomping grounds for example:
A great starter dose for beginners, Massachusetts has max dose of 5mg THC for any one gummy, drink, piece of chocolate or anything else. Some even choose to play it safe with a "micro-dose" with a 2½mg.
Onset
This is where it gets tricky. For as popular as they are, edibles have one of the most uncertain onset times out of any form of getting stoned.
Most states and researchers will agree that edible effects can take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on the dose, the edibles and the consumer. This is true for most, but this can still take up to 4 hours for some, usually depending on your biological chemistry.
Duration
If you think the onset is tough to predict, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Once it hits, an edible high can last anywhere from 2-4 hours, and up to 8 or more in greater doses.
Vapes
Dosage
Similar to smoking flower, dosing a vape pen is as easy as taking a draw (about 3-5 seconds) and letting the magic happen.
Onset
Onset for vapes usually hit a bit quicker than sparking bud. Not exactly instant, but effects often kick in within 1-3 minutes.
Duration
The high from a single hit won't last forever but, depending on potency and tolerance, you can catch a great 2-3 hour buzz off a good rip from the right pen.
Concentrates
A league of its own, most new dabbers jumping into the world of concentrates often find themselves wondering what they've gotten themselves into.
Dosage
Dosing out dabs isn't quite as complicated as you might think. Start out with with a half-grain of rice size if it's your first time. If you like to live life on the edge, you're only limited to smoking whatever you have in front of you!
Onset
An absolute polar-opposite from edible onset, big or small, it won't take long before you start to feel it kick in.
Duration
Get ready. Unlike the onset, concentrates and edibles share a fairly similar duration of effects, ranging anywhere from 2-4 hours or more. With a high unlike anything a flower-only smoker has experienced since their first, dabs will have you, your body, and your mind on Cloud 9 unlike ever before.
Tinctures
Believe it or not, tinctures were actually one of the U.S. pharmacopeia's greatest assets in the early 20th century. Primarily dissolved under the tongue into the bloodstream, tinctures pack a full-body effect with a wide-range of both medicinal and recreational benefits.
Dosage
Like edibles, the recommended starting dose for tinctures is a drop with ~5mg THC set under the tongue for 2-3 to allow for full dissolution, while the rest can be swallowed.
Onset
Tinctures have longer onset than most methods but are typically more predictable than edibles. Most users report effects within 30-60 minutes.
Duration
Depending on your dose, tinctures can also have a lasting effect of 2-4 hours, but can range anywhere from 8 and beyond for some.
Topicals & Transdermals
THC topicals come in a few different forms, typically as a lotion, cream, oil, body balm or transdermal delivery system (TDDS, but we'll just call it a patch). Either way, they are often infused with a mix of THC, CBD and/or other cannabinoids for a more medicinal relief.
Dosage
One dose will depend on exactly what type of topical or TDDS you're using. The good news in this case, however, is that most topicals don't deliver the same heavy-headed high that the other methods do. Start with one patch or (for balms) a small dime-sized amount spread across the desired area.
Onset
Whether you're using a transdermal patch or another free-form topical, the onset of effects can range from almost instantly and up to hours later.
Duration
Topicals deliver relief into your muscles, joints and -- in the case of patches -- your bloodstream over a period of time for longer-lasting relief. This basically means that the effects can vary in duration from 1-4 hours or more.