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Cannabis Usage Options
Safely dose your medicine. Regardless of any cannabis usage in the past, HDR insists that our patients be aware of the potential effects of medical use cannabis.
Safely Dosing your Medicine
Cannabis, as medicine, has evolved considerably over the last decades. The genetics of the plants have been bred to improve specific traits, such as improved THC, CBD, CBN potency levels, higher yields, shorter flowering times and much more. Improved growing techniques also contribute to potency levels and overall quality of medicine.
These improvements across the board result in differing effects, particularly for the user. Regardless of any cannabis usage in the past, HDR insists that our patients be aware of the potential effects of medical use cannabis. If you are new to cannabis or want to understand potential side effects, please visit here.
Start Slow!
Dosing medical cannabis unfortunately is not an exact science. Regardless of the consistency of medicine, you are the “X-Factor.” Know that your body mass, age, metabolism, gender and body chemistry at the point of dosing will vary the effectiveness of the medicine. Thus, when consuming cannabis, please start slow.
Inhalation
Many users prefer to inhale or smoke cannabis because of its almost immediate effects and relief provided. Many times, one dose or ‘hit’ should be sufficient for the effect to take place. To not overly consume or be wasteful, start with one dose. Wait a few minutes to experience effects or lack thereof. If necessary, repeat as needed until desired effects are achieved.
Please note: We also recommend keeping a journal to record results for future use. Take note of strain name, potency, type (Indica, Sativa, Hybrid), as well as effect experiences, duration, and any other pertinent information of note.
Edibles
Do not take edibles on an empty stomach.
Many edibles are made with concentrated THC and or CBD oils, then dosed accordingly into cannabis-derived products. Most often, edibles are ‘stronger’ than smoked flower with longer lasting effects. Also, edibles take longer for your body to process than the almost immediate effects of smoking. Thus, the dosage should be small when trying a product that you are not familiar with. Please allow up to 90 minutes for the medicine to take maximum effect.
When dosing, please note the time of initial dose:
See our edibles dosage chart for a milligram-by-milligram guide.
Drug Interaction
A drug interaction should always be considered when taking more than one medication.
Cannabis and THC have been shown to alter the absorption and elimination of other drugs. Because of the possible additive or synergistic action, cannabis should not be used in combination with alcohol, sedatives, or sleeping pills as increased sedation is one potential outcome.
Please make sure to inform your medical provider of your cannabis usage so they are aware of the potential conflict with other medications.
Safely Eating Cannabis Products
It is a myth that dried marijuana is completely inactive and must be heated before being consumed to activate the cannabinoids.
Raw, dried cannabis taken orally can be quite strong and effective. The edibles provided by HDR are actually extracts of plant material that concentrates the THC and/or CBD cannabinoids, resulting in an oil that is used to dose our edibles.
Many cannabis patients wishing to avoid any irritation on the lungs or choose not to inhale it, can very easily and effectively eat their dosages of medical cannabis. Also, ingestion of cannabis continues to be a preference for patients wishing to alleviate physical pains and experience what is commonly referred to as a body stone. Edibles are more often a stronger dose of cannabis than traditional smoking. Eating cannabis also provides a longer effect as the delivery method is actually digested, with cannabinoids being introduced to the blood stream through the liver as opposed to the lungs. Those suffering from differing body ailments that are not finding sufficient relief through smoking should consider edibles.
A fatal overdose from cannabis alone is extremely unlikely, but THC-concentrated edibles can have a very powerful effect, and taking too much can mean hours of anxiety, a racing heart or nausea. HDR recommends that if you are not familiar with this delivery method, you crawl before you walk: take a very small dose to gauge its effects. Most edibles list the milligrams of THC per piece, and many chocolates and gummies can be cut in half or quarters if this is your first time or you have a low tolerance to THC.
Another critical factor to consider when consuming edibles is that effects take longer to experience. The time frame is dependent on your weight, overall body size, and metabolism. Edibles will take maximum effect within 30 to 90 minutes of initial dosage. Please be patient when first experimenting with edibles. If additional doses are required, please wait at least one and a half hours prior to taking more medicine.
If the effect is too strong, please relax. The feeling is only temporary and will subside. If able, please lie down or sit comfortably. Please remember, it is illegal to drive while medicating so always consume cannabis at home.
Read the full guide to safely eating cannabis products, including canna-flour and canna-butter.
Capsules
Although this process may be more labor-intensive, if you would prefer to try a completely effective and superior version of the ‘original’ THC pill… make them yourself. Grind your medicine down to a powder and fill empty medicine capsules. These empty capsules can be purchased in some health food vitamin stores. However, if you are unable to find them, simply purchase some inexpensive herbal capsules and empty out and replace the contents.
As we know, THC is the most powerful medicinal compound in cannabis. Yet, THC is only one of a handful of cannabis compounds that work together harmoniously. For example, Cannabidiol (CBD) has sedative effects that offset the stimulative effects of pure THC. In order to get the optimum medicinal benefits without the unwanted side effects, all of the natural cannabis compounds should be taken together, as nature intended.
For this reason, the synthesized THC pharmaceutical ‘replica’ named Marinol or Dronabinol is said to be too psychoactive and commonly referred to as ineffective when compared with the original. The isolated pure “THC” pills are known to overpower the senses.
P.S. At a cost of up to $12 per tablet, Marinol is much more expensive than your pills made from the natural plant. That would be a $2,400 gram!
More on usage
Still have a question?
Ask a budtender at any of our six dispensaries in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Hobbs. We're happy to walk you through it.
