If you’re interested in the potential benefits and applications of cannabis, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen the term “cannabis oil.” As a convenient, shelf-stable, and compact form of cannabis, these products are versatile while offering precision dosing.
But…do you know how to use cannabis oil? In this post, we’ll help you answer that question, plus others that relate to this high-tech—yet admirably simple—form of cannabis concentrate. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make informed purchasing decisions about using cannabis oil and getting the consistent, predictable, and effective results you need.
Are you ready? Let’s get started.
The Historical Roots of Cannabis Oil
Here’s something you might not realize: If you’ve ever handled a vape pen, you’ve already interacted with cannabis oils. But these modern devices are hardly the only way to use cannabis oil. In fact, before national cannabis prohibition took effect in 1937, cannabis oils—typically in the form of a potent cannabis tincture oil—were fairly uncontroversial items found throughout pharmacies all over the United States.
Of course, some things have changed since then. For one thing, modern cannabis oils are worlds apart from these thick and relatively crude oleoresins. Instead, they’re produced under clinical laboratory conditions, free of additives, and carefully processed and refined to remove any impurities. We’ll explore that process in just a little more detail next.
Cannabis Oil Extraction
In our family of cannabis dispensaries, we notice that there’s still some uncertainty about just where cannabis oil comes from. Rather than being an oil extracted from the cannabis or hemp plants, it’s an extract of cannabis. In other words, the “active ingredients” in cannabis—the aforementioned cannabinoids, and aromatic terpenes—are carefully extracted using a variety of methods and then suspended in a neutral oil-based carrier.
The most common ways to extract cannabinoids use CO2, butane, ethanol, or other solvents to separate the active ingredients from the cannabis plant material. The solvents used for extraction are then purged—or cleansed—from the cannabinoids, leaving a safe, potent, and chemically pure extract that can then be suspended in oil, often MCT (short for “medium-chain triglyceride”)oil, a substance typically derived from coconut oil that may impart health benefits of its own.
Cannabis Oil’s Potential Benefits
Clinical research on cannabinoids such as THC and CBD supports many of the uses those early tinctures were employed for, including making use of THC’s natural anti-inflammatory properties to fight physical discomfort and help modulate our experience of pain.
By way of comparison, CBD—the so-called “second cannabinoid”—is associated with relieving some of the symptoms of PTSD, helping to improve mood, and acting as a powerful anti-inflammatory in its own right.
In this regard, cannabis oils are no different from other cannabis products in that they deliver cannabinoids to our bodies with the help of our endocannabinoid systems, a major bodily network involved in regulating memory, immune function, sleep, and other critical activities.
That said, there are some differences between cannabis oil and the inhaled forms of cannabis from a vape or a pre-rolled joint.
When cannabis oil is swallowed, it’s processed through the stomach and liver as opposed to the lungs. This means the medicine takes a good deal longer to take effect—typically in the 45- to 90-minute range, as opposed to 2 to 10 minutes with inhaled cannabis—but these effects last longer than inhaled cannabis. That’s why you can expect a dose of cannabis oil to remain effective for anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on factors such as your age, weight, and other variables.
If you want to speed up the onset time, take the oil sublingually, or under the tongue, holding it there for 60 seconds or so. Because the network of blood vessels found in our mouths tends to absorb cannabinoids quickly, the onset time is typically around 30 minutes or less.
How to Use Cannabis Oil Syringes for Easy Dosing
Modern cannabis oils are what make the ubiquity and popularity of portable vape devices possible, but they have many uses beyond vaping. Some of the cannabis oils we offer are dispensed from precisely graduated syringes, taking the guesswork out of proper dosing. Because they’re potent and shelf-stable, they can also be consumed with food, mixed into beverages, or taken on their own.
One major advantage of taking cannabis this way is that—when dispensed by a graduated syringe or dropper—it’s easy to measure a precise dose. Taking what’s called the “smallest effective dose” is important not only for getting the most benefit from cannabis and the most value from these products.
How to Take Cannabis Oil: Pro Tips
Some cannabis oils can be potent in terms of their THC percentage, and it’s important to remember that a little can go a long way. We always recommend that you start low and go slow. Start with the lowest possible dose, and wait a sufficient amount of time— we recommend at least 2 hours before taking another dose.
When it comes time to take your cannabis oil, you may notice that it looks thick or that it doesn’t dispense easily. This can happen when your indoor temps are cool. If this occurs, simply warm the dispenser in your hands or under warm tap water until it flows better.
To maximize the shelf life of your cannabis oil, avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. Store any cannabis products you have at room temperature in a dark environment.
Explore Using Cannabis Oil at Your Local Green Goods
Whether you’re interested in using cannabis oil for its medical benefits or as a convenient and all-natural way to relax, we want to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. As a trusted multi-state cannabis brand, we believe that when consumers have access to the latest and most authoritative cannabis information, they make better purchasing decisions and experience better outcomes.
If you’re ready to start exploring how to take cannabis oil for yourself, we can help. Whether you reside in Maryland or Minnesota, the nearest Green Goods location is only a click away. Shop online or in-store to browse our selection of cannabis oils today. If you have any other questions about using cannabis oil—or any other cannabis-related topics—just ask! We’re always here to help.
