The endocannabinoid system is an important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health. Cannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body, including in the brain, most organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells.

In each tissue, the purpose of the cannabinoid system is to help maintain homeostasis. It is this newly understood, yet basic function, that provides a fresh approach to treating conditions where other methods have proven ineffective.

How It Is Used:

The plant is typically processed and consumed in its two basic forms:
Flower:
Raw, dried plant material which is generally inhaled in smoke form
Extracts:
Used to produce tablets, liquids, tinctures, and other formats

How It Is Consumed:

Inhaling

Consumed by smoking or vaporizing. Results in a rapid highly pronounced but short term affect.

Smoking is the most expedient method of consumption with an almost immediate effect. Dosage can be precisely modulated by the patient by varying the amount inhaled. However, smoking medical cannabis may cause possible lung damage from smoke particulates and cause long-term respiratory problems. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe any treatment which must be consumed in smoke form.

The alternative to smoking medical cannabis is to use a vaporizing device (commonly referred to as vaping or vape pens), which uses an oil extract. Vaporizing utilizes convection to heat the extract and carboxylize the compound, which chemically changes and releases the cannabinoids. Vaporizing is a preferred alternative to smoking and provides the same rapid infusion without the harshness of smoke to the mouth, throat and lungs.

Ingesting

Consumed in pill, lozenge, tincture or other form. Oral delivery provides a higher level of control over dosage and delivery and eliminates physician and/or patient concern over inhaling medical cannabis.*

Oral solutions, tinctures, capsules and tablets are all produced from cannabis extracts. Each of these delivery forms are produced in processing facilities, under strict protocols with Maryland Department of Health oversight, and independent lab tested, ensuring sanitation, purity and consistency. Oral delivery provides a higher level of control over dosage and delivery, and eliminates physician and/or patient concerns over inhaling medical cannabis.

* Patient may require more than one hour to notice the effects of ingesting medical cannabis. For this reason, it’s very important when recommending ingesting, to initially dose very low. Even if the patient does not immediately show benefit, patient must wait at least two hours before repeating.

Transdermal Patches

Transdermal delivery allows for steady delivery over a longer period of time.

Transdermal patches can be especially beneficial in cases of nausea relief, palliative care, end-of-life care, or other applications when longer-term delivery and a steadier level of dosing is preferred.