Consumption junction

Now, more than ever, we see headlines and hear more talk about marijuana, both for medical and recreational uses. It seems everywhere I go, I get a question or two about marijuana products or the laws regarding them.

One of the questions I hear often is, “What is the difference between smoking and other ingestion methods?” Well, let´s hash it out.

Smoking marijuana, which is the first way I tried it, is by far the most common way of using cannabis. Toking up provides effects that are felt almost immediately as the cannabinoids, like THC, rush through the bloodstream to the brain. The benefit of this quick reaction time means that a person can quit smoking when they feel the desired effect. The effect will not continue to intensify, but it will only last one to three hours.

A unique perk of smoking cannabis is the body’s ability to use natural terpenes produced from the plant for greater relief. Terpenes are oils that are found in a variety of plants. They are often strong smelling and are a primary ingredient in most essential oils, which are often used for aromatherapy and alternative medicine. Many of a marijuana plant’s defining qualities, such as taste, smell and indica/ sativa, are actually determined by the terpenes of the strain. Sativa strains contain stimulant terpenes that can make the user feel motivated or creative. Indica strains are generally sedative in nature. In slang terms, indica strains make the user want to relax “in-da-couch.”

An ingestion method that is growing in popularity is vaporizing. Like smoking, vaporizing ground up marijuana herb allows the effects to set in almost immediately because it is processed through the lungs — but without any of the smoke byproducts. It can be much more discreet than lighting up a joint because the smell is less distinguishable. One major advantage of vaporizing with a high quality vaporizer is the ability to dial in a precise temperature and to inhale only certain cannabinoids.

Vaporizing can also refer to inhaling cannabis oil with an e-cigarette-type pen or “vape pen.” These have recently become very popular because they are portable and provide an intensified effect.

Infused products are those that use some type of solvent process to get the cannabinoids into a different item, usually a food or lotion. Cannabinoids are extracted through a variety of methods, and the majority of infused products sponsored by Lisa Lyons, and one in the have a high oil content — anything from ice cream to topical massage oils to suppositories.

In Michigan, infused products are available, but their legality has been debated. There are two bills under consideration — one in the House (HB 4210), Senate (SB 140), sponsored by Mike Shirkey — that would allow and regulate infused products in Michigan.

Edibles are a popular method for users to manage their cannabis intake and benefit from the medicinal effects without any smoke in their lungs. Some states have established a 10-milligram dose as the standard for edibles. This is a good starting point for many people but, in my experience, leaves others short of reaching therapeutic levels. Because everybody is different in how they metabolize plant medicines, some people require a much higher dose. For instance, in order to control my seizures, I need to take about 700 mg of CBD per day. Many cancer patients take over 700 mg of THC daily.

When starting out with edibles, following one simple rule can ensure a pleasant first experience: Start low and go slow. Eating marijuana forces the cannabinoids to process through the liver before they becomes available to the body. This means the effects will not set in until about two hours later. After that, one can always take more to find the sweet spot, but it’s impossible to undo the effects if they become too uncomfortable. Eating too much can result in a person feeling unpleasant or intensely terrified, but an “overdose” like this leading to death is virtually impossible. Edibles are often reported as being more potent and longer-lasting than the same amount of smoked marijuana.

Topical infused products, such as lotions, muscle rubs and creams, are applied to the skin. There is no high or psychoactive effect associated with it, but many patients report relief from muscle and joint pain. It works by providing an anti-inflammatory action to the site of the pain.

The vast array of cannabis ingestion methods is as varied as the patients who use it. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, and many patients employ more than one depending on their individual needs.

Steve Green, who writes this column every two weeks, uses marijuana to prevent seizures. He has no business ties to any dispensaries or products.