Cannabis safety starts with you. Properly label and store in a safe place away from pets and children!
Ingesting cannabis:
Ingesting cannabis has many benefits over smoking it, the most important of which is the bypass of dangerous chemicals entering the respiratory system. Carcinogens and tars are largely left behind in the preparation for eating and are not released into the lungs. Also, ingesting it leads to a markedly different experience from smoking. Eating cannabis-infused preparations usually leads to a longer, stronger, and much more physical high than smoking alone. Although eating is a perfectly viable way of absorbing cannabis into the bloodstream, higher amounts of the drug must be used in a cooking preparation in order to make the product effective.
Smoking delivers more THC to your neuron’s synapse quicker, via direct contact to your lungs alveoli therefore blocking dopamine quicker. Ingesting it causes the THC to be put into the bloodstream via digestion, therefore delivering smaller doses in a longer span of time. That’s why smoking it lasts 1-2 hours but eating it can last up to 8.
In conclusion, ingesting cannabis is a different and healthier alternative for those who use it for medicinal purposes.
Possible Side Effects of Cannabis
There are some effects of cannabis that are not beneficial and can be diminished through awareness.
- Cannabis may cause dizziness while standing due to lowered blood pressure.
- Initial increase in heart rate / blood pressure may be problematic for those with heart conditions or severe anxiety.
- Cannabis may cause a decrease in coordination and cognition.
- Potential short term memory loss while medicated.
- There are no significant withdrawal effects when cannabis medicine is decreased or stopped.
- However symptom relief will also be reduced or stopped.
Effects vary from person to person.
Safe Use of Cannabis
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if impaired by cannabis. Indicas can be especially sedating.
- Cannabis mixed with alcohol may cause vomiting and nausea.
- Those receiving digitalis or other cardiac medications should only use cannabis under careful medical supervision.
- Heavy smoking with no harm reduction techniques may lead to respiratory irritation.
- If you share joints or other inhaling devices please hold them so lips do not touch the vessel of delivery.
- Beware of mold and fungi.
- It is illegal in the United States to possess cultivate or distribute medicinal cannabis under federal law.
- Choose organic cannabis whenever possible, especially for those with compromised immune systems.
Knowing Your Medication
Sativa plants have less chlorophyll than the Indica counterpart. It has a higher THC content to Cannabidiol (CBD) ratio and offers a much more energetic type of mood. Sativa is used most commonly to elevate a depressed mood. Generally speaking the Sativa plant is the taller and lankier variety, reaching heights of over 5-6 meters. It is characterized by narrow serrated leaves and loose spear like flower clusters that can be extremely resinous.
Primarily the effects of Sativas are on the mind and emotions. In this regard they tend to be more stimulating, uplifting, energizing, and creativity enhancing. These benefits can be particularly helpful for the psychological component of many illnesses. Sativas are generally better for daytime use.
Some benefits:
Reduces depression
Relieves headaches and migraines
Energizes and stimulates
Reduces awareness of pain
Increases focus and creativity
Reduces nausea
Stimulates appetite
Indica has a higher CBD content to THC ratio and induces a more relaxing mood. This is a treatment for anxiety, pain, tremors and many more applications. Indica is most commonly used to induce appetite. Indica plants are normally shorter and stockier plants, reaching 1-2 meters in height and have wide deeply serrated leaves and a compact and dense flower cluster.
The effects of Indicas are predominantly physical although the relief of certain physical symptoms can have an emotional result as well. These effects can be characterized as relaxing, sedating and pain reducing. Indicas are generally best for later in the day or before bed.
Some benefits:
Reduces pain
Relaxes muscles
Relieves spasms
Reduces inflammation
Assist in sleep
Reduces anxiety and stress
Reduces nausea
Stimulates appetite
Relieves headaches and migraines
Reduces pressure inside the eye
Anti-convulsing agent
Reduces seizure frequency
However, many of today’s strains have been cross-bred between the two offering the benefits of both strains while reducing the lesser desired effects of the other. Please feel free to ask our staff about what may best help your condition.
Indica/Sativa percentages indicated are not scientific breakdowns, but our patient’s best guess after testing.
Hat tip: Santa Barbara Patients Group and the Green Cross