There are a lot of ways to consume marijuana. The right consumption method for you depends on the kind of experience you’re seeking. There are generally four categories of consumption: inhalation, oral, sublingual, and topical.

Inhalation

Smoking

Joints, Spliffs, & Blunts

The most classic way of smoking marijuana is by wrapping it in paper. 

Pros:

• It’s easy to share.

Cons: 

• Rolling up is a skill that comes with practice. 

• You can’t stop it from burning unless you put it out.

• Smoking paper can be rough on the throat and lungs.

Joints

A joint is weed wrapped in thin smoking papers. 

Pro: You smoke pure 

Con: Smoking pure weed can have stronger effects than you may want.

Spliffs

A joint with tobacco mixed in. Many Europeans particularly prefer this method of smoking.

Pro: It can help offset some of the potency of the weed.

Con: Tobacco is not good for you.

Blunts

A blunt is made from thick cigar papers. This is Snoop Dogg’s preferred means of consumption.

Pro: Way more to share.

Con: Generally tougher on the throat and lungs than a joint or spliff. 

Pipes

Pipes come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. They are commonly made from glass, metal, or wood. Glass is always recommended over metal.

Pros: 

• Just pack the pipe with weed, light it, and inhale.

• Easier to control the burn than a joint, spliff, or blunt.

Con:

• Pipes get dirty and clogged quickly and then need to be cleaned.

Bongs

Bongs are like pipes, but bigger and they involve water. One simply pours water into the bottom of the bong, lights the bowl of weed, holds the carburetor hole or “shotgun” hole on the side while inhaling, then releases the hole to have the smoke rush into the lungs. Bongs are typically made from glass, ceramic, or acrylic material. 

Tip: Add some ice to the bong water to cool down the smoke.

Pro: A smoother hit for your lungs as the smoke is first pulled through water.

Con: Bongs usually produce a more powerful hit, which can overwhelm novice smokers.

Chillums

A chillum is a ceramic or glass cone. One places the weed in one of the chillum and uses both hands to control the intensity of the inhaled smoke. This has been a popular means of consumption in India for centuries. 

Pro: Chillums are great for inhaling large quantities of smoke quickly.

Con: It’s kind of a hassle and takes some practice to handle properly.

Vaporizing

Rather than combusting the herb to consume it as one does with smoking, vaporizing causes cannabinoids and terpenes to be released without combustion. This requires the marijuana to be heated to approximately 160-220℃. There are desktop and portable vapes made for dry herbs, oils, or both. 

Pros: 

• It’s a smoother and safer alternative to smoking. 

• You can really taste the flavors of the strains you’re vaping.

Con:

• Vapes can be expensive and can be a hassle to clean and maintain.

See Clearly California’s vape options.

Dabbing

Dabbing is the process of ingesting marijuana concentrates through a dab rig. First, a metal or quartz nail on the rig's side is heated with a torch lighter. Then the concentrates are “dabbed” with a special dabbing tool and placed on the heated nail. This causes the concentrates to melt, which turns them into smoke that can be inhaled. 

Pro: Dabbing is great for high-potency hits.

Con: The effects can be overwhelming for inexperienced consumers. 

See Clearly California’s concentrates.

Oral

Edibles

Cannabis-infused food products are made from decarboxylated cannabis. Cookies, brownies, and gummies are common edibles, but marijuana can be cooked into just about any food. 

Pro: Dosing can be precise, which is excellent for medicinal cannabis. 

Con: The effects of edibles take longer to kick in than inhaling, which leads to inexperienced people taking too big of a dose and possibly vomiting. 

Cannabis-infused Drinks

A variation on edibles. Drinks can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. But we recommend the non-alcoholic – mixing alcohol and cannabis can have intense negative effects.

Pro: It’s a delicious way to consume marijuana.

Con: It’s easy to have to overdo it. 

Sublinguals

(Tinctures, cannabis oils, CBD crystals)

Sublinguals (products you put under the tongue) are a great alternative to smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles. Canna oils (food oils infused with cannabis) and CBD crystals can be consumed sublingually. 

Pro: It’s a quick and straightforward consumption method – one or two drops under the tongue. 

Con: It’s easy to take too much because tinctures and oils can be potent. 

Topicals

Your skin’s CB2 receptors can absorb cannabis-infused topicals. 

Pro: This is great for pain relief. 

Con: If you want to feel THC’s psychoactive effects, you will not feel them with topicals. You will not get high.

See Clearly California’s Medicated Rub. 

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