Types of THC Products Available in West Virginia

Which type of Medical Marijuana is right for me? 

When it comes to selecting a delivery method for medical marijuana, there are a few things to consider. These relate to both individual preferences and the specific condition being treated. 

 

Before reviewing the advantages of each method, ask yourself the following questions:

 

• Am I comfortable with the potential side effects of smoking and vaping?

• How much control do I need over my cannabis dose and activation time? 

• How much discretion do I need to practice when using medical marijuana?

• Does the flavor of medical marijuana matter to me?

• Am I comfortable swallowing a pill?

• Is the condition that I’m treating localized or systemic? 

 

Once you have basic answers to those questions, read on to learn more about the potential advantages and drawbacks of each medical marijuana delivery method. 

 

Dry leaf or plant form

West Virginia lawmakers cut this classic form of cannabis from the original bill but added it back in March 2020. When West Virginia dispensaries open in 2021, qualifying patients can purchase cannabis in dry plant form for smoking, placing in capsules, or enhancing baked goods. 

 

In addition to versatility, the primary advantage of using cannabis in its plant form is that all cannabinoids remain together and intact. This creates what some people call an “entourage effect,” meaning that the impact of multiple cannabinoids working together is more potent than the impact of extracted cannabinoids working separately. 

 

Additional benefits and drawbacks of using this form of cannabis depend on whether it’s smoked or added to capsules and baked goods. 

 

Smoking vs. Ingesting Whole Plant Cannabis 

Smoking cannabis produces byproducts that can be potentially damaging to your lungs, similar to smoking cigarettes. This makes it a poor choice for patients who are minors, as well as for patients concerned about the health of their lungs. 

 

On a more positive note, the onset of smoked cannabis is relatively rapid, with the cognitive effects lasting only an hour or so. This can make smoking a good choice is you’re seeking immediate relief or need to be free of THC’s “high” within a short period of time. 

 

Since smoking has a mostly cognitive effect, it’s also recommended for people seeking relief from conditions such as PTSD and the anxiety and depression that can accompany many serious health conditions. 

 

If you’re seeking whole-body relief, adding dried cannabis to capsules or edibles may be a better choice. However, dosing is imprecise. If you need more control over dose and onset time, there are many other forms of cannabis to try! 

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Pills, oils, tinctures, and liquids

When it comes to discreetly ingesting cannabis, any of these methods will get the job done. They all have a whole-body effect, which makes them a great choice for inflammation-based pain and systemic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and epilepsy. 

 

Meanwhile, medical marijuana pills, oils, tinctures, and other liquids still have powerful mood-boosting, appetite stimulating, and anti-nausea capabilities. 

 

So, how do you choose between pills, oils, tinctures, and other liquid preparations? Here are a few quick tips for understanding the similarities and differences. 

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Pills and oils

Each of these are powered by oil extracted directly from the cannabis plant. This results in high concentrations of cannabinoids, many of which occur together for a full spectrum entourage effect similar to what happens when you consume the cannabis plant itself.

 

When the oil comes in an encapsulated form, you can swallow it as you would any supplement. When it comes as oil in a bottle, it’s administered with a medicine dropper. Rather than immediately swallowing the oil, experts recommend administering it sublingually. This means placing some drops under your tongue to be absorbed via mucous membranes for a more rapid onset. 

 

Tinctures and other liquid preparations

Like oils, cannabis tinctures and other liquid preparations are designed to be consumed sublingually. Unlike oils, the extraction method for tinctures involves alcohol, and the extraction method for other liquid preparation usually involves vinegar or glycerin. 

 

There is often a high quantity of the extraction fluid left in the tinctures. This means that you’re receiving less pure cannabis extract, as well as a significant dose of alcohol or vinegar. 

 

Some people prefer tinctures because the additives can enhance the effects of isolated cannabinoids. Others have negative reactions to the additives. 

 

Finally, tinctures often have flavors that make them more enjoyable to consume, and both tinctures and oils can be used within DIY preparations for cannabis gummies. 

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Gels, creams, and ointments

If you’re using medical marijuana to treat pain that radiates from a specific location, topicals are the choice for you. Infused with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes, topicals provide rapid relief to a specific area of your body with no psychoactive effects. 

 

When what you’re seeking is rapid pain relief without the high, any topical is up for the task. However, creams and ointments may be most effective at permeating the skin and alleviating deep pain. Meanwhile, gels may be more effective at calming surface-level pain, inflammation, and irritation. 

 

Extracts formulated for vaporization and nebulization

Vaporizing and nebulizing your medical marijuana provide benefits similar to smoking and might be easier on your lungs. 

 

However, both vaping and nebulizing cannabis usually blends a single cannabis extract with other additives, which can be harmful in their own right. 

 

Additional research is needed to understand the complete benefits and dangers of vaping and nebulizing medical marijuana. However, each may be worth exploring if you’re seeking an alternative to smoking, want to focus on isolated cannabinoids, and enjoy it when interesting and pleasing flavors accompany your cannabis consumption. 

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Dermal patch

Ideal for both local and systemic medical conditions, the dermal patch is a topically applied form of cannabis designed for easy absorption directly into your bloodstream. 

 

Generally speaking, dermal patches are designed to deliver a consistent dose of cannabis over time for a period of up to 90 hours or more. If you’re seeking long-term relief and highly value consistent dosing and discretion, the dermal patch is your best match.