“Whatever happened to just good ol’ fashion weed?”

Well, it got better. Cannabis, especially with more and more states legalizing recreational use, has expanded beyond what many people grew up thinking it was. Cannabis oils, while not necessarily a totally new development, has increased in popularity over the years. If you’re not familiar, don’t worry. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about cannabis oil, how to use it, and where to start. But first things first, let’s go through some of the basics…

What is Cannabis Oil?

As the name implies, cannabis oil is substance extracted from cannabis plants. It’s 100% natural, no chemicals added. It’s sticky and gooey, much like sap you’d find in a tree. As a concentrated form of THC or CDB, cannabis oil is one of the most potent forms of marijuana. Because of this, they’re often used for medicinal purposes to alleviate pain especially in cancer treatments.

As science has gotten more advanced, so have cannabis oils. Whereas it used to be around 15% THC, you can now get numbers as high as 90%. Whether you’re using for medicinal or recreational reasons, cannabis oil has become a popular route for many. Not just for its potency, but for the wide array of uses and ways to use it. Not everyone wants to smoke flowers or roll a joint. For that, and many other reasons, cannabis oil can be a great alternative for people wanting to use cannabis without smoking. The methods vary, letting you choose which is best for you. Let’s take a look at few.

Topicals

Essentially, topicals are anything you’d put on your skin that’s infused with cannabis oils. This could be a lotion, a balm, or just straight oil that you rub into your skin. What makes topicals so appealing is how they can directly address soreness and pain. Just simply rub the topical into wherever you’re aching and you’ll find fairly rapid and long-lasting relief. Using a topical typically won’t get you high, which can often be a benefit. Since they aren’t entering your bloodstream, you can take care of your pains with a topical and not have to worry about your sobriety. Think of topicals as a therapeutic rather than a psychogenic. They can also help reduce swelling and inflammation. Really, topicals are one of the most practical uses of cannabis that won’t interfere with your day-to-day.

Topicals are not, however, boring. Just like their are numerous strains of cannabis flowers, topicals come in all sorts of varieties and flavors. Want a blueberry kush balm? You can find that. It’s all just a matter of deciding what’s right for you.

Vape Cartridges

You’ve likely seen a lot of different vape stores around town or in news headlines, but that type of vape is very different animal. Those are much more in line with e-cigarettes, giving an alternative to tobacco. They often contain nicotine, but not always. Cannabis vape cartridges do, however, function somewhat similarly.

Vape cartridges require the use of a vaporizer pen – a small, cylindrical device that looks like, well, a pen. It’s convenient enough to fit into your pocket, making it portable and functional. The pen itself is fairly useless without two things: a charge in an outlet and cartridge. Your pen will heat up the cartridge somewhere between 284 and 446 degrees Fahrenheit – any hotter than that and the oil would combust. This turns the oil into vapors and you’ll inhale through the end. Some vaporizers will let you choose what temperature you burn your oils, also determining how much of the cannabis you burn. More heat means more cannabis.

Vape cartridges are often odorless or flavored. You won’t stink up the house using a vape pen, which is one of its strongest selling points. Many consumers will often pick the pen over traditional cannabis just for that reason. It’s much easier to carry with you and have at the ready. For someone who has chronic pain, being able to carry a cannabis vape pen with them alleviates the stress of having to find a proper space to ingest cannabis. There’s a range in quality of pens as well. You can go for a basic model, which typically won’t give you much of a choice in terms of temperature, or you can go with something that truly helps you customize your experience. You can choose everything from size, color, and different settings.

Smoking, even cannabis, will have an effect on your lungs. Vaping cannabis oils doesn’t completely remove those risks, but by inhaling vapor instead of smoke you’re making things a lot easier for your respiratory system. Vaping also ensures that you’re getting pure cannabis and not other elements mixed in with the smoke, giving you a better and purer high. Not just that, but they can be more cost effective as well. There are a few upfront costs, especially if you’re committing to a high end vape pen, but you might find cartridges last you longer than flowers or pre-rolls, especially if you’re a frequent smoker. Cartridges will cost you more than the typical gram, but you won’t have to keep running back to the store or dispensary for more as often.

Dabbing

If you’ve heard anything about dabs before, it likely has to do with the intensity. It’s a newer method for ingesting cannabis, developed within the last decade, but it’s already taken notice from outlets as large as The New York Times. So, what’s the buzz all about?

Dabs are concentrates made from cannabis oils. It’s cannabis distilled to it’s highest percentage of THC, often between 80-90%. That means you’re going to have a much more intense experience than smoking or even vaping. For a simplified version of weed, dabbing can be surprisingly complex. It needs to be facilitated with a few tools, including: a water pipe, a torch, a dome, a glass nail that fits in your water pipe, and a metal dabber. When you’re dabbing, it’s best to veer toward being cautious. You don’t need much concentrate at all, average doses look like the size of pocket lint. A little goes a long way. You’re encouraged to sit as well – this can be a really intense experience.

Dabbing is one of the most efficient ways of consuming cannabis and it can be the best way for immediate pain relief. However, you should always exercise caution with dabbing. Dabbing will often heightened your heart rate even more than typical with cannabis and can exacerbate symptoms like paranoia and hallucinations. If you’re trying dabbing for the first time, do it with someone who’s familiar with the process.

Cannabis oils are emerging as some of the most fascinating and effective ways to enjoy and use cannabis today. Ready to try some for yourself? Come on down to The Bakeree and we’ll help you find the right method for you. In the meantime, check out our options on our menu.