Methods of Administration
There are a variety of methods and forms available to administer cannabis, with different onset times and durations.
Inhalation
Inhalation–either of smoke or through vaporization–is the fastest-acting method of administration. When inhaled, the active ingredients of the product pass directly into the bloodstream from the lungs. Pharmacological effects occur within 5-20 minutes of inhalation.
Oral
Oral administration is one of the strongest delivery methods out there. Unlike inhaled Cannabis, ingested Cannabis is metabolized by the liver. This means that more THC is converted into usable forms by the body.
Topical
Topical forms are typically used as creams or lotions to treat localized pain and discomfort, delivering active ingredients to the bloodstream through the skin.
Sublingual
Sublingual forms are administered under the tongue and may be faster acting as the medicine is absorbed into the blood through the mucosal membrane in the mouth.
What’s a Cannabinoid?
While THC gets the attention, there are over different 70 cannabinoids present in cannabis. These other cannabinoids—and aroma-determining terpenes, for that matter—are believed to have therapeutic effects.
