The method of administration impacts the onset of action and duration of action.
Choose the method of administration based on the required duration of effect and patient’s preference. The daily dose of medical cannabis is generally divided into 4–5 inhalation doses or 3–4 oral administrations.
Ingestion – Ingesting cannabis oil from an oral dosing syringe or packaged in softgels ensures accurate dosing.
Inhalation – Vaporization is the optimal delivery method for dried flower cannabis. Unlike smoking, vaporization is achieved by heating the cannabis to a temperature that causes the cannabinoids to convert from a solid to a gaseous state. Once in the gaseous state, the active compounds in cannabis can be inhaled. This is different from smoking the product because there is no combustion of plant material, therefore eliminating some of the health risks associated with smoking. The onset of effect when using a vaporizer is the same as smoking cannabis. Effects are felt generally felt within 30 seconds to several minutes, therefore it is recommended to wait in between inhalations to allow for the full dose to take effect.