Options for Smoking, Vaping and Consuming Cannabis

Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by Marie Kathleen

One of the key differences between smoking, vaping or eating marijuana is the speed at which you will feel the effects. Not only that, but the duration of the effects may also be affected by the manner in which you imbibe your chosen cannabis product. 

In this article we will take a brief look at the differences between smoking, vaping and eating cannabis, and how you can choose the method that best suits your own needs.

They all Work 

One important detail that you need to consider before you decide whether you will smoke, vape or eat your cannabis product, is that THC is present in whichever method you choose to adopt. This will generally have the same psychoactive qualities, and potential adverse side effects, no matter how you consume it. 

So with that in mind, let’s roll up (so-to-speak) some information about smoking, vaping and consuming cannabis.

Join the Joint Revolution

Smoking cannabis has been around for a long, long time. Archaeological evidence suggests that cannabis, hashish and other products derived from the cannabis plant, have been used for recreational, medicinal and religious purposes for several thousand years.

A Thousand and One Names 

Over the years, the smoking of cannabis has attracted a whole raft of jargon and pop culture references. Joint, reefer, shit, grass, doobie, Dutchie, Mary Jane, bud, Thai stick, ganja, blunt, roach, spliff, wake ‘n’ bake, 420 blaze it, hotboxing…phew. Time to exhale! But whatever you call it, one thing is certain: passing a joint around has been one of the commonest, and most sociable, ways of consuming cannabis for a long time.

A Simple Pleasure 

The major advantage of simply smoking a joint is that it will typically produce much more intense overall effects. In addition to this, smoking cannabis doesn’t really require much of an investment. All you need is some weed, some papers, and something to light it up with…and perhaps a few friends to sit around the campfire with you while you pass the Dutchie around.

The ritual of smoking cannabis can also be part of the attraction, in the same way that it is kind of cool to go to a cafe, not just for the coffee but for the whole ambiance. So it can be with smoking cannabis. The process of rolling up a joint, or packing some bud into your favourite bong, can add to the pleasure and enjoyment of smoking weed in the traditional way.

And of course, don’t forget that smoking cannabis is pretty low maintenance. It’s easy to roll up a joint, pop it into your pocket, or behind your ear, and go about your day!

Vaping Vitality

Vaping can be a far more intense way of consuming cannabis than just smoking joints. While both smoking and vaping will have an almost immediate effect on your body, vaping is a way to consume cannabis products without inhaling the smoke of burning leaves and paper. 

The Heat is On

Vaping is short for vaporization and is the process of heating up products containing THC to a specific temperature that is just below the point of combustion. This produces a stream of vapour that is then inhaled. 

Although there haven’t been many studies conducted on the effects of specifically vaporizing cannabis, it is generally recognized that vaping nicotine is up to 95% safer than smoking cigarettes. So it’s not a great leap to assume that this will be the same with vaping cannabis. 

When it comes to administering medicinal cannabis, there is no doubt that vaping is a much healthier alternative than smoking. People seeking to access the many health benefits of cannabis and its extracts can do so without the need to inhale burning paper, combustible plant material, and any other potentially harmful compounds contained in the smoke from a joint.

Good Taste 

Vaping marijuana products allows consumers a much greater range of taste differentials between strains and is generally more convenient and discreet than rolling up a big fat hooter from a baggie of weed. 

Vaping produces more pronounced flavours than smoking because you can taste the individual turpins and cannabinoid profiles of the strain that you have chosen. Smoking on the other hand obliterates these subtle differences and nuances.

Total Control 

Vaporizers have adjustable head settings that allow you to control the temperature of the vapour that you are inhaling, and even though it may take a bit of trial and error, eventually you will find the best temperature for vaping your favourite cannabis product. Vapes can also be adjusted to produce a range of different effects: from mellow and uplifting, right through to intense euphoric highs. 

Vaping products come in all manner of flavours, and in shapes and sizes which allow you to keep your cannabis use discreet and tidy. 

Of course, you may consider that one of the downsides of vaping is the amount of equipment required. Vaporizers need to be charged up and kept clean. The heating elements need to be changed, and the reservoir needs to be continually topped up with the extract of your choice. 

All you need for a good old-fashioned joint, on the other hand, are some papers, some weed and a box of matches. Nevertheless vaping is now considered one of the most efficient, clean and effective ways in which you can ingest your chosen cannabis product.

At Matrix Extracts, you’ll find a whole bunch of vaping gear and products. Go for a browse and find exactly what you need.

Edible Yumminess 

Edible marijuana products are just what they sound like…they are food products that contain cannabis products of some sort. Producers of edible cannabis products will include an oil containing the active ingredients of cannabis: sometimes CBD sometimes THC. 

Cannabis edibles usually come in the form of candies, but they may also be produced in the form of baked goods such as cookies or brownies. 

Slower and Longer-Lasting

Vaping, smoking or ingesting cannabis will get you high, there’s no doubt about that. However, the difference between these methods of consumption is the speed of your high’s onset and the duration that you will feel its effects. If you smoke or vape cannabis, you will feel its effects almost instantaneously, however most of the sensations will wear off after 2 or 3 hours. 

If you ingest cannabis in an edible, however, the THC and or CBD will enter your bloodstream through your stomach and liver. For this reason, it may take more than an hour for the psychoactive effects of the substance that you have consumed to take effect. 

Some studies show that the peak high experienced from ingesting cannabis products in the form of edibles may take as much as 3 hours to occur. 

Take Your Time

With that in mind, you need to be extremely patient if you are taking cannabis as an edible. You may consume the cannabis product in the form of a cookie, a brownie, or even mixed up in a drink, such as a lassi. But after you consume the edible (or “drinkable”), it may take some time before you begin to feel the effects. 

This may entice you to take more, as you mistakenly believe that what you have already ingested is not working. But beware…it will certainly be working. It’s just that your digestive system will take time to absorb the active ingredients into your bloodstream.

So if ingesting cannabis products is your thing, relax. Put on a movie or watch the sunset. That oh so mellow high is on its way…and will be worth the wait!

Wanna try some edibles? Check out the selection at Matrix Extracts for all the edible yummies you can imagine!

Ask the Experts at Matrix Extracts

Make the most of the wondrous products derived from the wonderful Indian hemp plant. Whether you want to smoke, vape or ingest your chosen cannabis product, the folks at Matrix Extracts are there to help you along every step of your cannabis journey. Happy travels!