There are various ways to consume cannabis, with inhalation being the most renowned. For some, deciding how they want to consume is a daunting task. Here at Quincy Cannabis, we got you covered. Here are some cannabis consumption basics that we found have been helpful to ease new consumers into the ever-developing world of cannabis. We’ll be covering inhalation, oral consumption, and topicals.
Inhalation
Inhalation includes smoking via pipes, bongs, joints, etc. as well as vaporizing. Inhalation has an almost immediate onset, with effects typically lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. There are 3 categories (and many sub-categories) on our menu that contain products used for inhalation.
1. Nugs/Bud/Flower
With various names to describe it, nugs of the cannabis plant that have been pre-weighed and packaged are available for sale typically under the name “flower” but could also be referred to as “nugs” or “bud”. Based on who grows and packages the cannabis, it is typically available in quantities of 1g, 3.5g, 7g, 14g, and 28g. With 1g being a single gram, 3.5g being an eighth, 7g being a quarter, 14g being a half ounce, and 28g being a whole ounce.
There are different subcategories of flower you will see on our menu, including pre-ground and shake.
Pre-Ground
Pre-Ground is just how it sounds–cannabis flower that has been ground up prior to purchasing, typically to promote ease of use and to negate the need for the middle step of breaking up the bud before it is smokes. Pre-Ground is usually sold at a lower price.
Shake
Similarly to pre-ground, users will find shake is void of any A-Buds and does not require the user to break it up before smoking. Different from pre-ground, shake is what is left over at the bottom of a bag of larger nugs. This can range from sugar leaves to pieces of the larger nugs that have broken off and did not make the cut. It is not necessarily put through a grinder before packaging and is often sold at a lower price. If you put your cannabis nugs in a large jar, over time you will notice pieces will fall off and sink to the bottom of the jar. This is shake!
2. Joints/Pre-Rolls
Rolled up and ready to smoke, Pre-Rolls are a convenient and effective way to consume cannabis. Pre-Rolls come in many different forms and can be rolled with flower, shake, “b-buds”, infused with concentrates, and more. Most pre-rolled joints on the market will have a filter to prevent cannabis flower from getting in your mouth while you smoke.
Pre-Rolled joints come in various sizes, ranging from 0.35g all the way to 2g in a single joint. They are available in singles, as well as multi-packs. Multi-packs may contain multiple joints of the same strain, or they may be a “variety pack”, and contain various strains and effects. Single joints are a great way to try out various strains, and multi-packs are great for sharing or stocking up
Infused Pre-Rolls
Pre-Rolled joints can also be infused to increase potency. Infused joints can contain a variety of concentrated cannabis products, including, but not limited to, live resin, live rosin, diamonds, kief, bubble hash, or even multiple of the above! THC content for infused products typically range from 30% up to 50%, depending on the strength of the starting product as well as the strength of the given concentrate. They are not typically recommended for the novice consumer and are great for group sessions.
Blunts
Blunts that you purchase at a Marijuana Establishment never contain nicotine. Blunt wraps used in the cannabis industry include tea leaves, king palm leaves, and hemp wraps. Blunts are known to provide users with a longer smoking experience due to the nature of their slow burn. Like pre-rolls, they can be rolled with flower, shake, or “b-buds”, and infused with concentrates.
3. Vaporizers
Cartridges
Cannabis Vaporizers come in a variety of forms and sizes. The most known is a cartridge, which is screwed onto a ‘battery’- In the cannabis industry, a battery is the device that is used to heat up and vaporize the oil. Your most common cartridges, which we sell here at Quincy Cannabis Company, are known as 510 threads. This is regarding the part of the cartridge that is used to ‘thread’ the cartridge onto the battery. For those who are new to vaporizing, we recommend purchasing your cartridge and battery together to ensure that they are compatible. Once you have purchased a battery, you can interchange various compatible cartridges that you purchase. Ask your budtender what batteries we have in stock!
Disposables
If you are not interested in purchasing a device and are looking for a one-time-use vaporizer, a disposable is the way to go. Cannabis disposables offer consumers an experience that is discreet and portable. They contain an internal batter that vaporizes the oil. Like any battery, it could run out of power before all the oil is vaporized. This is why many, but not all, are able to be recharged utilizing typically either a micro-USB or a USB-C port. Check with your budtender to see if your disposable is rechargeable.
You may find on the market devices called “dry herb” vaporizers, where an internal battery is used to heat the cannabis flower to vaporization. These are not typically recommended for the novice user and require more upkeep than other forms of inhalation. They provide users with an experience with effects similar to smoking cannabis from a joint, without the flame.
Oral Consumption
Cannabis Consumption is not limited to “blazing up”. Oral Consumption is a way to consume cannabis without burning or inhaling. Oral consumption of cannabis spans from edibles to tinctures.
1. Edibles
Edibles are any food or drink that has been infused with cannabis. These may be gummies, chocolate bars, taffy, hard candies, seltzers, sodas, iced teas, or even baked goods. For simplicity, we will be referring to gummies throughout this section, with the word “gummy/gummies” being interchangeable with any infused food/beverage product.
Cannabis infused edibles have a delayed onset compared to inhalation, as they are metabolized through the stomach and liver, resulting in an effect that can take 1 to 3 hours to kick in. The impact of edibles varies based on individual body chemistry and THC metabolism, leading to different onset times not only between consumers but also for the same consumer across different occasions. Thus, your ideal dosage can fluctuate, with one day 10mg being perfect and another day only 5mg being sufficient. This is why, when consuming edibles, start low and go slow. Begin with the smallest dose and wait at least 1 hour until consuming more. As well, do not hesitate to ask your budtender questions.
Dosing for recreational edibles in Massachusetts is capped at 5mg per serving, with a maximum of 20 servings per container. This means that you cannot purchase over 100mg in a single package in the Massachusetts recreational industry. Edibles are typically available where 1 gummy/piece of chocolate/taffy/can/baked good is a single dose of 5mg. Some brands offer “double dosed” products, with 10mg (2 servings) per gummy. In these scenarios, the gummy is perforated in the middle to differentiate between each 5mg serving. On the other side of the spectrum, edibles can also be “micro-dosed”, with as low as 0.5mg of THC per gummy. The average micro-dose available is 2.5mg.
At Quincy Cannabis Company, we are proud to offer an array of edible products for every consumer. Our budtenders are trained to help our customers find the product that best fits their needs.
Cannabis chocolates are popular because the dominant chocolate flavor overpowers the “green” taste you may find in other edibles. You can find milk, dark, and white chocolate on our menu.
Cannabis gummies are popular for their candy-like nature. They come in a variety of flavors, textures, and effects. We are happy to offer gluten free a options and sugar free options when available.
Cannabis drinks are popular for their rapid onset and casual usage. Many customers utilize cannabis-infused drinks in settings where others will be consuming alcohol. Drinks are available in single packs, as well as four-packs. Ask your budtender about Levia seltzer bundles we have!
2. Tinctures
Tinctures are one of the oldest forms of medicine and can be made from any herb or plant. Cannabis tinctures are oil that has been infused with cannabis extract to give users a smokeless experience with a quick onset.
Your ideal dose will depend on your tolerance, as well as the goal of taking the tincture.
If the tincture has been formulated for helping with sleep, you may want a single high dose to ensure sedation.
If you intend to use the tincture for general daytime wellness, you may find that multiple microdoses throughout the day may achieve a more uplifting experience.
The average tincture will have a dropper with dashes to assist with dosing. Instructions will typically recommend users to place one serving below their tongue, hold it there for 30ish seconds, and then swallow. This is to promote sublingual (under the tongue) absorption of the tincture, which will bring an onset of anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. The rest of the tincture (if any) that is swallowed will be absorbed through your stomach and metabolized through your liver, giving an onset closer to that of an edible.
Due to regulations in Massachusetts under 935 CMR 500.000, tinctures are not subject to dosing limitations like their edible counterparts. Some tincture products on the market contain up to 1000mg of THC in a single bottle! Some tinctures are water-soluble, allowing you to mix them into drinks.
Topicals
Cannabis Topicals is a broad-use term that refers to any infused product designed for external skin application. The most common forms of cannabis topicals on the market are lotions, balms, and salves. Recently, however, we have seen an uptick in less conventional topical product, such as massage oils, bath salts, lubricants, sprays, and transdermal patches to name a few.
What sets topicals apart from other consumption methods is that the THC in these does not enter the bloodstream. This is due to our thick layers of epidermis and dermis, which prevent the THC from penetrating deep enough to enter our bloodstream and intoxicate us. The THC instead interacts with both the CB1 and the CB2 receptors we have in our skin, though the interaction is different that that of the receptors in our brain. Topicals offer a targeted, sight specific pain relief without intoxicating the user.
To apply, start by cleansing the targeted area with mild soap and water, and pat dry. Begin application with a small amount, massaging in circular motions over the affected area. After application, refrain from covering the area with tight clothing to allow proper absorption of the topical. Be sure to observe any immediate reactions such as redness, swelling, or itching.
We hope this guide has helped you on your cannabis journey. If you find yourself having any more questions or concerns, our budtenders are ready to help. Whether it’s your first time smoking or you’re a seasoned connoisseur, everyone is welcome at QCC.
Looking to get involved in the local cannabis community? Check out our events page for the latest! Click here!
Click here to view: MA CMR Cannabis Control Commision | Regulations for the Adult Use of Cannabis