That first visit to the Beehive Pharmacy can be overwhelming for a new medical cannabis patient. There are so many products to choose from. In addition, there are multiple delivery methods. It is the delivery method that throws so many new patients for a loop. It never occurs to them that the method by which someone consumes cannabis impacts how it works.
Given that Utah continues to add new patients to its medical cannabis rolls every month, we felt it would be a good idea to provide a basic introduction to cannabis delivery methods for new patients. If you are new to medical cannabis and have any questions, you can always ask on your next visit to either our Salt Lake City or Brigham City locations.
Delivery Methods Are Limited
A good starting point for this discussion is the fact that delivery methods are limited by law. For instance, Utah regulations do not allow smoking. So smoking cannabis plant material is out the window. State regulations do allow:
- Vaping and dry heating.
- Oral ingestion.
- Topical applications.
Within these three categories there are a number of options. Each option impacts how THC enters the system, the bioavailability of the THC, and how long its effects last. Let us go ahead and look at some of the options in more detail.
Vaping and Dry Heating
Vaping is arguably the most popular delivery method. THC is suspended in a liquid that is heated in an electrically charged vaporizer. The liquid is transformed into a vapor that is inhaled into the lungs.
Dry heating is similar in the sense that you are taking THC into your body through inhalation. You put plant material into a special device that applies just enough heat to release the THC without actually burning the material.
In both cases, THC bioavailability is elevated. In addition, THC gets into the system nearly instantly. Vaping and dry heating are easy and convenient. The big downside is the effects do not last as long as they would with some other delivery methods.
Oral Ingestion
Delivery through oral ingestion occurs one of two ways. First is with the use of a tincture, a concentrated oil that you place under your tongue. Just one or two drops tends to be enough. Because there are so many blood vessels in the skin under the tongue, a tincture delivers THC almost as quickly as vaping.
The other option with oral ingestion involves either edibles or tablets and capsules. You are familiar with tablets and capsules; edible products include things like gummies. When using edibles, tablets, or capsules, it takes longer for the effects of the medicine to kick in because THC needs to work its way through the gastrointestinal system. But when the effects do begin, they tend to be more consistent and long lasting.
Topical Applications
Last but not least are topical applications. A medical cannabis topical could be something like a pain-relieving cream or gel. You rub it into the skin at the site of pain and let it do its thing. Topicals can be amazingly effective for certain kinds of pain but not so effective for others. As for how long the effects last, it can vary from one patient to the next.
There is a lot more we could write on this topic. We want to encourage you to ask any and all questions you might have about delivery method when you visit either Beehive Farmacy location. We really do want you to be fully informed before you purchase.
