The days of "smoking weed" are gone (for many people). Patients now have many options available for how they take their medication. Each have their pros and cons, as we discuss below.
Gel capsules
Contain measured amounts of cannabis extract oil and often look like Vitamin E capsules, although some may come in colours.
Advantages
- Measured dosing, e.g. 2.5mg CBD per capsule
- Easy to handle
- Longer duration of effect
Disadvantages
- More expensive than other formats, due to manufacturing costs
- Cannot split for more precise dosing (can only dose in increments available e.g. 2.5mg to 5mg to 7.5mg etc.)
- Effect can take longer to kick in
Oil - bottled
Bottled cannabis extract oil, sometimes with a dropper top.
Advantages
- Measured dosing, e.g. 2.5mg CBD per mL.
- Precision dosing (can dose in smaller increments than with gel capsules)
- Easier to handle than dried flower, but not as easy as gel capsules
- Longer duration of effect
Disadvantages
- More expensive than dried flower, but less expensive than gel capsules
- Effect can take longer to kick in
- Some people don't like the taste, however it can be put on a cracker or mixed with orange juice
- Droppers can be hard to read (you may need to purchase syringes separately)
Oil - spray
Cannabis extract oil but in a non-aerosol pump spray bottle.
Advantages
- Measured dosing, e.g. 2.5mg CBD per spray.
- Easy to handle
- Can spray under the tongue for faster effect
- Longer duration of effect
Disadvantages
- More expensive than bottled oil
- Some people don't like the taste, however it can be sprayed on a cracker (some manufacturers are adding flavours such as mint)
- Cannot get precise dosing (can only dose in increments available e.g. 2.5mg per pump)
Edibles
Including wafers, chocolates, and gummies.
Advantages
- Measured dosing, e.g. 2.5mg CBD per chocolate.
- Possibly more precise dosing (e.g. splitting a wafer), however that depends on how well the cannabis is mixed in the product
- Easy to handle
- More pleasant taste
- Longer duration of effect
Disadvantages
- Possibly the most expensive format, due to additional ingredients and manufacturing costs
- Effect can take longer to kick in
- Must take extra care to prevent children from gaining access
- Contain significantly more calories, e.g. from sugar
Beverages and infusers
Bottled/canned drinks, teas, and infusers (powder to mix in drinks).
Advantages
- Measured dosing, e.g. 2.5mg CBD per drink.
- Possibly more precise dosing (e.g. half a bottle), however that depends on how well the cannabis is mixed in the product
- Easy to handle
- More pleasant taste
- Longer duration of effect
Disadvantages
- Another expensive format, due to additional ingredients and manufacturing costs
- Contain significantly more calories, e.g. from sugar
- Effect can take longer to kick in (although some manufacturers are claiming faster onset)
Topicals
Creams and lotions containing cannabis extracts.
Advantages
- Can apply directly to affected area (e.g. for muscle pain)
- No taste (unless you eat it 😉)
- Easy to handle
Disadvantages
- Another expensive format, due to additional ingredients and manufacturing costs
- Can be greasy
- Only penetrates up to 1cm
- No clinical evidence that they actually have any effect
Vaporization pens and cartridges
Small pens similar to e-cigarettes, with cartridges containing a form of cannabis extract oil.
Advantages
- Fast onset of effect, near-instantaneous feedback for THC (CBD effect more subtle)
- Easy to handle
- Rechargeable batteries
- Does not subject lungs to combustion by-products (as opposed to smoking dried cannabis)
Disadvantages
- Can be expensive due to manufacturing costs
- Imprecise dosing
- Some people don't like the smell
- Cartridges are disposable (metal and glass), not recyclable
- Quality control can be an issue (e.g. cartridges malfunctioning or leaking)
- Long-term safety not proven
Dried flower
Dried leaves and buds of the cannabis plant. Usually ground and rolled in a cigarette ("joint") or used with a vaporizer device.
Advantages
- Fast onset of effect, near-instantaneous feedback for THC (CBD effect more subtle)
- Least-expensive of all forms
Disadvantages
- Difficult to handle, unless using pre-rolled cigarettes
- Imprecise
- Use with vaporizer devices can be fussy, e.g. cleaning and maintenance
- Smoking (vs. vaporizing) subjects lungs to harmful combustion by-products