Marijuana Is Not Just Smoked
Most people think that marijuana is only smoked. They believe that the only way to ingest marijuana is by smoking it. But this is far from true. While smoking marijuana is the way most people use the drug, there are several ways to ingest weed, each with its own advantages and potential drawbacks.
As Georgia criminal defense lawyers who handle many drug cases, we wanted to write a blog discussing the multiple ways to ingest pot to shed some light on an aspect of this much-debated plant that many people don’t think about.
The choice of ingestion method largely depends on your preferences, desired effects, and experience level. Here are some common methods:
- Smoking:
- Joints: Marijuana is rolled into a paper and smoked, similar to a cigarette.
- Blunts: Like joints, but the paper is a tobacco leaf.
- Pipes: Dry herb is placed in a bowl, and it's smoked through a pipe.
- Bongs: Water-cooled pipes that filter and cool the smoke before inhalation.
Advantages: Quick onset of effects, easy to control dosage.
Drawbacks: Smoking can be harsh on the lungs, and there are potential health risks associated with inhaling smoke.
- Vaping:
- Dry Herb Vaporizers: These devices heat marijuana to a temperature that vaporizes the active compounds without combustion.
- Vape Pens: Use cartridges filled with concentrated marijuana extracts (e-liquids or oil).
Advantages: Vaporizing is less harsh on the lungs than smoking and provides a clean inhalation method.
Drawbacks: Vaporizers can be expensive, and the quality of vape pens can vary.
- Edibles:
- Cannabis-Infused Food: Marijuana-infused products, like brownies, gummies, chocolates, and more.
Advantages: No need to inhale, long-lasting effects, and no strong odor.
Drawbacks: Delayed onset of effects (usually 30 minutes to 2 hours), difficult to control dosage, can be potent.
- Liquid extracts of cannabis, typically administered sublingually (under the tongue) for rapid absorption.
Advantages: Rapid onset of effects, easy to control dosage.
Drawbacks: Taste may not be pleasant, and the alcohol content can be an issue for some individuals.
- Cannabis-infused lotions, balms, or oils applied to the skin.
Advantages: No psychoactive effects; mainly used for localized pain relief or skin conditions.
Drawbacks: Topicals do not produce the typical "high" associated with marijuana.
- Suppositories:
Advantages: Rapid absorption, potentially effective for certain medical conditions.
Drawbacks: Unconventional method, not commonly used recreationally.
- Involves the use of a special rig and a blowtorch to heat a concentrated cannabis extract, producing vapor to be inhaled.
Advantages: Extremely potent and fast-acting.
Drawbacks: Requires specialized equipment and can be intimidating for beginners.
- Capsules and Pills:
- Pre-measured doses of THC and/or CBD in pill form.
Advantages: Precise dosing, discreet, no strong odor.
Drawbacks: Slower onset of effects due to digestion.
When using marijuana, it's essential to consider factors like your tolerance, the desired effects, and any potential health concerns. Additionally, be aware that marijuana is illegal in Georgia. For non-Georgia residents, be sure to research and adhere to local laws and regulations regarding not only weed, but any paraphernalia used in its ingestion.
When you need a Georgia drug lawyer or Georgia marijuana lawyer, call us immediately!