An introductory guide to cannabis consumption

Cannabis is a plant genus that produces three species of plants: Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa and Cannabis ruderalis. Most varieties on the market come from indica and sativa plants. Since ruderalis contains only trace amounts of tetrohydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, it’s rarely grown for commercial use.

Cannabis effects
It’s often said that indica is more of a nighttime variety that promotes full-body relaxation whereas sativa sharpens your mental focus and provides an energy burst. However, your physiological responses have less to do with the species and more to do with the chemical makeup of the particular plant. Depending on growing conditions and methods, different indicas and sativas have varying high and low percentages of THC and cannobidiol (CBD) — another active ingredient that has calming but not mind-altering effects.

Indica and sativa plants are often crossbred to produce hybrid strains with certain characteristics, such as higher levels of THC for users looking for intense highs or elevated levels of CBD without THC for those using cannabis for medical reasons. When choosing strains, pay attention to percentages of THC and CBD and figure out what ratio of active ingredients works best for you.

Cannabis products
Cannabis consumption methods vary. Here are some common ways marijuana is distributed:

• Flowers. Dried cannabis flowers are typically smoked using hand-held pipes, water pipes, hookahs or rolling papers. It’s also possible to vape the flowers with certain types of vaporizers. The effects of the drug are felt immediately.

• Edibles. Though slow to take effect, foods that contain cannabis tend to cause powerful full-body effects. They’re usually made with one cannabis-infused ingredient that’s high in fat, such as butter or olive oil.

• Ingestible oils. These can be ingested like edibles but have the consistency of oil. They can either be eaten or made into digestible capsules.

• Tinctures. The liquid extracts are consumed by placing a few drops underneath the tongue. They’re fast acting and allow for maximum dosage control.

• Topical lotions. Topical products are primarily for medical use. They provide localized relief to tense or sore parts of the body without producing a high.

Before consuming cannabis, research different strains and delivery methods, along with their positive and negative effects, to identify which ones may be right for you.