Marijuana—which can also be called cannabis, weed, pot, or dope—refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 compounds (or cannabinoids). These compounds include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is impairing or mind-altering, as well as other active compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is not impairing, meaning it does not cause a “high”.

Vaping is, in fact, quite similar to smoking. But unlike smoking, vaping does not require burning or combustion when heated. When an individual vapes cannabis, the active compounds in marijuana are heated at low temperatures.

So, what’s the difference? Since you avoid the combustion associated with smoking, you’re less likely to experience lung irritation or discomfort, making it the ideal way to use cannabis, according to some researchers.

Toxins aren’t released into the respiratory system, which means vaping is a healthy way to reap the benefits of cannabis, too.

When it comes down to edibles vs. smoking, eating your marijuana may be preferable when you want to avoid the discomfort associated with smoking. Since edibles can last up to 12 or more hours, you may want to choose edibles when you want to experience long-lasting effects.

So, what about edibles vs. vaping? While edibles may beat smoking for users looking to reduce throat irritation or potential discomfort, why would someone choose edibles over vaporizers? Since vaporizing requires heat, you may prefer edibles when looking for a safer intake option.

Plus, many individuals boast that edibles are the most discreet way to enjoy cannabis in permitted areas, meaning you won’t attract any unwanted attention when snacking on your marijuana supply.

Marijuana can be used in a number of ways. Marijuana can be smoked in joints (like a cigarette), in blunts (cigars or cigar wrappers that have been partly or completely refilled with marijuana), or in bongs (pipes or water pipes). Marijuana also can be mixed or infused into foods like cookies, cakes, or brownies (called edibles) and can be infused in drinks.

It can be vaped using electronic vaporizing devices (i.e., e-cigarettes or vape pens) or other vaporizers. Compounds (or cannabinoids) in marijuana can also be extracted to make oils and concentrates that can be vaped or inhaled. Smoking oils, concentrates, and extracts from the marijuana plant, known as “dabbing,” is on the rise. Health and safety risks exist for each of the different ways of using marijuana.

Marijuana products that contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can have health risks regardless of how they are used because THC is impairing and can affect memory, attention, decision-making, and risk-taking.

Health and safety risks exist for each of the different ways of consuming Marijuana, and scientists do not have enough evidence to say that consuming Marijuana in one way is safer than another. For example, smoking marijuana can expose you and those around you to harmful chemicals.

Oils and concentrates used in vaping and dabbing (which is a specific method of inhaling THC concentrates) often have highly concentrated forms of THC and may contain additives or be contaminated with other substances. However, some oils and concentrates may be cleaner than others.

Marijuana is different from Cannabidiol (CBD). Marijuana refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. CBD is one of the many compounds, along with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), that can be present in the cannabis plant. CBD does not cause a “high” by itself. CBD can be derived from hemp, which is defined as any part of a cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% of THC, or non-hemp plants.

THC and CBD are both cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant, but they’re different in many ways that may influence your next purchase.

An easy way to think about it is that THC is defined by what cannabis makes you feel, while the effects of CBD can’t be felt. The important distinction is that, unlike THC, CBD will not intoxicate you. It also addresses one of the most common reasons people choose to use CBD.

CBD can also block some of the intoxicating effects of THC. By binding to cannabinoid receptors, it will keep THC from activating those receptors. This translates to a less intense psychoactive effect, which is why products with a mix of CBD and THC are great for first-time consumers.

This does not mean that CBD cannot offer an effect. High doses of CBD often produce a profoundly relaxing experience. Like stepping out of a hot tub, your body may feel tingly and relaxed, and your brain may be clear.

How marijuana affects a person depends on several factors, including:

-Previous experience with marijuana or other drugs

-Biology (e.g., genes)

-Sex (e.g., women may experience more dizziness after using marijuana compared to men9)

-How the drug is taken (e.g., consuming edibles or products with high Tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] concentration can have delayed or unpredictable effects and increases the risk of overdose or poisoning)

-How much of the drug is used

-How often it is used

-If it is used in combination with other substances (using marijuana with alcohol or other drugs could lead to increased risk of harm, especially with unknown drug-to-drug interactions)

Producers take different processes in handling the product. Certain producers will spend more time and effort such as growing with only sun, growing organically, hand trim etc, small batch growers and craft growers may have a premium price.

An adult (19+) in Ontario is legally allowed to possess up to 30 grams of legally produced dried-cannabis (or the equivalent volume in other forms).

The Government of Canada has developed ratios for other cannabis products that can be used to determine a possession limit for those products.

One (1) gram of dried cannabis is equivalent to:

5 g of fresh cannabis

15 g of edible product

70 g of liquid product

0.25 g of concentrates (solid or liquid)

1 cannabis plant seed

– Consuming cannabis in/on any motor vehicle is illegal, with the exception of those being used as temporary residences (such as a parked RV).

– Within Canada, you are allowed to transport cannabis in a vehicle, but it must be secured in closed packaging and not within reach of the driver or occupants.

– Travelling with recreational cannabis is allowed within Canada and its provinces, provided it was purchased from a provincially licensed retailer or grown in your own home under current regulations. However, international travel with recreational cannabis is not allowed regardless of your destination.

– Tourists who purchase recreational cannabis in Canada are not allowed to take it across federal borders.

– Carrying any cannabis or cannabis products (legal or illegal) across Canada’s borders will remain a serious criminal offence, with individuals convicted of engaging in such activities liable for prosecution.