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The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.
The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.
Cannabis can be consumed in several ways. Depending on the product, it can be smoked, vaporized or ingested. Each method of use has its advantages and disadvantages.
Inhaling cannabis, whether by smoking or vaporizing, is a fast way to feel the effects, which usually appear in a few minutes.
This makes it easier to control the dose (the amount consumed) and the intensity of the effects. The effects normally last 2 to 3 hours, not nearly as long as those associated with ingestion.
Sometimes as little as one puff can cause effects. That is why we advise starting with a single small puff to avoid the risk of an unpleasant experience or bad trip.
Smoking
A common way to use dried cannabis is to smoke it in a joint. Alternatively, cannabis flowers, hashish or kief can be broken into small pieces and smoked with a pipe, bong, chillum or similar accessory.
Because hashish and kief have more cannabinoids than dried cannabis, only a very small amount (about the size of a matchhead) should be smoked at a time. Hashish and kief are not advised for inexperienced users.
Smoking is more hazardous to the health than other methods of use because inhaling the smoke created by burning increases the risk of developing lung cancer or a respiratory disease.
Do not smoke or burn tinctures, sublingual oil or cooking oil.
Vaporizing (not the same as vaping!)
Vaporizing involves heating ground cannabis to a temperature hot enough to cause the cannabinoids to boil and evaporate without burning.
Vaporizing is less hazardous for the health than smoking. However, it is also less straightforward and requires a relatively complex and expensive device (a vaporizer).
Do not vaporize hashish or decarboxylated powder (decarb cannabis).
Dried cannabis (flower, ground or pre-rolled), hashish and kief have no effects unless they have been "activated" by exposure to high temperatures by burning, vaporizing or cooking. The intensity of the effects may vary from person to person. To avoid overdosing, begin with a small puff of a low-THC product and wait several minutes before taking another, if necessary.
The other method of use involves ingesting extracts or edibles that contain pre-activated cannabinoids.
Compared to inhaling, the effects of ingested cannabis can take longer to appear (30 to 60 minutes or longer) and can last much longer. Actually, the effects may last up to 8 hours and sometimes beyond.
That is why patience is required and ingestibles (sublingual oil, capsules and edibles) should not be combined with other cannabis products. Do not be misled into thinking that another dose is needed because the effects of an earlier dose have yet to appear.
Sublingual ingestion means placing the product – cannabis oil or a sublingual strip more often than not – under the tongue until it is absorbed by the lining of the mouth and its many blood vessels. The effects can take 30 minutes or longer to appear.
Sublingual ingestion is appropriate for sublingual oils, oral sprays, sublingual stamps and tinctures.
Oral ingestion simply means swallowing the product. Because the cannabinoids go through the digestive system, the effects usually take about 60 minutes to appear. Some products, including decarb, cooking oil and tinctures, can be mixed with other ingredients when preparing a recipe. They can also be added directly to foods before serving (salads, pizzas, main dishes, pastries, etc.).
Oral ingestion is appropriate for sublingual oils, oral sprays, capsules, tinctures, beverages, cooking oil and decarboxylated powder (decarb cannabis).
Edibles require an extra dose of caution because it is hard to know the actual amount of THC that will be absorbed by the body after ingestion. It is advisable to begin with a small amount of a low-THC product and to wait until the effects are felt before taking more, if necessary.
| method of use | first appearance | Peak | duration** |
| Inhaled cannabis | 90 seconds to 5 minutes | 15 to 30 minutes | 2 to 3 hours |
| Ingested cannabis – under the tongue | after 30 minutes* | 90 minutes to 3 hours | up to 8 hours and sometimes longer |
| Ingested cannabis – oral (beverage, cooking oil, tincture, decarb, capsule) | up to 60 minutes* | 90 minutes to 3 hours | up to 8 hours and sometimes longer |
*The effects of ingested cannabis may take 2 or 3 hours to appear. We strongly advise beginning with a small dose and waiting a few hours before taking more, if desired.
**How long the effects last can vary depending on the product type and strength, the amount consumed and the method of use.
Other methods of use exist but involve types of products not sold at the SQDC (vapes and creams, for example).
It is important to choose a cannabis product and consumption method based on your level of experience, state of health and tolerance for potentially unpleasant effects. For personalized advice, speak with an in-store advisor or see the Buying Guide section.
The SQDC sells a range of quality cannabis products with a lower risk level, all of which have been authorized by Health Canada.
Relaxing, stimulating and mood-altering: cannabis can have effects that are pleasant or undesirable. Learn what causes the effects and determines how intense they are and how long they last.
Are you or a friend or family member dealing with a problem related to cannabis use? Several assistance resources are available to you. Take advantage of them!