*There are currently no adult recreational sales allowed in the state of Hawai’i. Hawai’i offers a medical marijuana program through our State Department of Health. A Hawai’i MMJ cardholder may legally use medical cannabis, possess up to 4 ounces (or equivalent amount of THC) per 15 calendar days, grow up to 10 plants, and obtain their medicine at any Hawai’i Medical Cannabis Dispensary.
Cannabis strains vary widely in potency, cannabinoid content, and terpene content — all of which can affect your cannabis experience. Flower potency is measured by the total concentration of cannabinoids—chemical compounds that act on our endocannabinoid system to stimulate psychoactive and physical effects—and is expressed in a percentage.
For example, the label on a jar of OG Kush flower might read 18% THC, which indicates there are 180 milligrams (mg) of THC per gram of flower.
Flower
Smoking weed is the most common way to consume cannabis. Effects kick in almost instantaneously and can last anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the dose and person. Most weed smokers consume cannabis flower using one or more of the following methods:
Joint: the joint, sometimes called a cannabis
cigarette, consists of ground flower rolled in
smokable rolling paper.
Blunt: similar to joints, blunts involve rolling ground
flower in a blunt wrap or emptied cigar.
Pipe: one of the most common stoner tools, the
pipe allows weed smokers to smoke on the go
without additional materials beyond their flower,
pipe, and lighter or match.
Bong: the bong, or water pipe, allows cannabis
consumers to filter weed smoke through water.
Distillate Cartridges // Vaping
The process of vaping weed involves heating cannabis flower or concentrates to a temperature that converts the desirable cannabinoids and terpenes into vapor. As vaporization happens at a lower temperature than combustion, the user inhales more cannabinoids and less harmful tar and carcinogens than via smoking.
Check the charge. If you're using a pen with a separate cartridge, make sure the battery is charged and turned on. Make sure the cartridge is tightly connected to the battery.
Set the temperature if possible. Some rechargeable batteries allow temperature control, so set the temperature as desired.
Inhale. Press the button and inhale, or simply inhale if the device has no buttons. Inhale low and slow to pace yourself and maximize cannabinoid intake. This also ensures you don't overheat the cannabis oil and damage the concentrate.
Reload/replace as needed. You'll know your vape pen is running low on oil when the vapor starts to lose its flavor and taste harsh or burned. Some lower-quality batteries can also overheat or burn the materials of the heating coil into the oil, causing the cannabis to vaporize or degrade faster, reducing the cartridge's lifespan.
Discard responsibly. When you're finished with a cannabis-oil cartridge or disposable vape pen, simply discard it. No need to clean.
VAPING TIPS Start low and go slow. Everyone has a different tolerance level, and it may take a few tries to find the perfect amount for you. Take 1 or 2 draws from your vape and wait 20-30 minutes. It may take time to notice the full effects of your product. Use responsibly. Never operate a motor vehicle while impaired.
Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures may contain a combination of CBD and THC and are frequently used for pain relief. Other tinctures may exclusively contain CBD or THC, which allows for a customizable regimen.
Many medical users choose to consume cannabis tinctures because they offer a smokeless way to experience the plant’s numerous health benefits. Indeed, cannabis tinctures are consumed orally, often through the sublingual method (placed beneath the tongue). However, some people prefer to use the tincture as a topical, similar to how you would apply a CBD cream or oil to the skin.
You may opt to orally consume a low-calorie cannabis tincture “raw” without any added flavors or foods. Alternatively, you may incorporate a tincture into a favorite soft recipe like ice cream, soup, or even mashed potatoes. Tincture. You should store your cannabis tincture in a cool, dark place and expect a shelf life of anywhere from three months to two years depending on the chemical components of the tincture.
Edibles
Edibles will get you just as high as smoking weed, or more!
But when you ingest cannabis in the form of edibles, the process of getting high is a bit different.
When you eat an edible, it passes through the digestive tract where it's then absorbed by the stomach. Cannabis' active compounds are then metabolized in the liver, where the THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound that is both more potent and longer-lasting than THC. Because an edible has to go through the digestive tract and liver before getting absorbed into the bloodstream, it takes significantly longer for the THC to hit your brain. But once it does, it's stronger and has a longer half-life.
As mentioned, the process of metabolizing THC is significantly longer when you ingest an edible, typically anywhere between 45 minutes and three hours. The delayed process of absorbing and metabolizing THC means it takes longer to feel the effects.
But because 11-hydroxy-THC is both more potent and has a longer half-life than THC, once you do start feeling the effects, they're typically going to feel stronger and last longer than if you hit a joint.