7. STEP 3: DETERMINE YOUR PREFERRED DELIVERY
METHOD
• Which delivery system appeals
to you the most?
• How do you see yourself
consuming cannabis?
• Pros and cons of each type?
8. STEP 3: DETERMINE YOUR PREFERRED DELIVERY
METHOD
• Inhaled products:
• Effects are immediate
• Onset: 0-10 minute
• Lasts 1-4 hours depending on the potency
and amount consumed.
• Easy to administer around other
pharmaceuticals
9. STEP 3: DETERMINE YOUR PREFERRED DELIVERY
METHOD
• Tinctures
• 15 minutes – 1 hour to take effect
• May be taken about every 2-4 hours as
needed
• May be placed under the tongue
• Easy for micro-dosing
10. STEP 3: DETERMINE YOUR PREFERRED DELIVERY
METHOD
• Edibles
• May take 30 minutes-2 hours or longer to take
effect
• Can last anywhere from 4-10 hours
• More effective when taken with food
• Always wait at least 2 hours before taking more
12. STEP 4: CHOOSE A PRODUCT WITH THC, CBD, OR
BOTH
• THC
• Produces euphoria
• Alleviates many symptoms
• Works quickly (depending on the
delivery system and amount of THC) to
relieve a variety of symptoms.
13. STEP 4: CHOOSE THC, CBD, OR BOTH
• CBD
• Not psychoactive
• Anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system, aids in healing,
and so much more!
• Effects are more subtle than THC, and it may take 2 + weeks to
identify.
14. STEP 4: CHOOSE THC, CBD, OR BOTH
• BOTH
• THC and CBD work best when they are together!
• Combining both compounds can improve symptom relief.
• Provides balance between euphoric effects and symptom relief.
• Helps reduce side effects from THC.
16. STEP 5:
DETERMINE
YOUR SERVING
SIZE
• Individualized dosing can range from less
than 1 mg to 20+ mg.
• Beginners: 2.5 mg THC or less
• Goal is to find the smallest amount that
works!
17. STEP 5: DETERMINE YOUR SERVING SIZE
• Always understand the potency of any
products you consume.
• Read the packaging to
determine milligrams in a single serving
of an edible.
19. YOUR NOTES:
Step 1: Symptom: pain
Step 2: Budget: under $30
Step 3: Delivery method: tincture
Step 4: THC, CBD, or Both: both
Step 5: Milligrams desired: 2.5 mg to start
20. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
• Always wait at least 2 hours before taking an additional amount of an edible.
• Space your regular medications away from edibles by 1-2 hours. Notify
your provider if you start on a CBD product while on warfarin/coumadin.
• Never drive or operate heavy machinery while on cannabis.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• If the potency is too high, cannabis can make your symptoms worse. Simply reduce
the amount or change the form if this happens.
• Always understand the potency of any product you try! Take time to do the math.
22. TO LEARN MORE,
PLEASE VISIT US AT:
The Verdes Foundation
Albuquerque
7301 San Antonio Dr NE
Rio Rancho
2320 Grande Blvd. SE, Ste. B
www.VerdesFoundation.org
(505) 280-2814
Editor's Notes
Hello, my name is Briana Perez, and I am one of the Registered Nurses at the Verdes Foundation. New Mexico has recently approved cannabis for recreational use, so today I would like to provide you with the basic, practical steps to consider when getting started with cannabis. This is essentially a "how to guide" so I encourage you to take notes.
Number your sheet of paper from 1-5
The first thing to do is think about which symptom you would like help with. Most of us have many symptoms we are dealing with, but it is important to focus on the most problematic one. Cannabis can help many symptoms at once, but focusing on one will help you gain more insight into the effectiveness of the products you try.
Number 2: Identify your budget. Start to think about how much you would like to spend on cannabis. Cannabis is not covered by insurance, so a budget will help you select products that will be affordable and sustainable in the long-run.
Next, think about how you would like to consume cannabis. Some methods provide immediate benefits and others offer longer-lasting effects. Delivery systems can be layered to cover both immediate and longer-term needs, but in the beginning, it is best to understand how each one affects you individually before adding too many into the picture.
Think about which delivery system appeals to you the most and the least. You will not want to use a product if it is repulsive to you. In the beginning, it is important to begin with a delivery system that you feel comfortable with.
Inhaled products, such as smoking and vaporizing, are easy to use and have the fastest onset of action. You will have the most control over the amount you consume with inhaled products. They work quickly and are easy to administer around other pharmaceuticals. If you have any type of lung condition, you should check with your physician to determine if inhaled cannabis is safe for you. Vaporizing the flower is the least irritating way to inhale cannabis, because vaporizers warm the bud enough to release the oil vapor, but the plant matter does not burn.
Tinctures have the second fastest onset of action after inhaled products, and may be placed directly under the tongue. Effects begin within about 15 min to 1 hour. Tinctures are a discrete way to consume cannabis, and can deliver very small amounts of medicine at a time.
Edibles are another discrete method for consuming cannabis. They may take 30min to 2hr or longer to take effect, and can last anywhere from 4-10 hours or longer depending on the amount taken. Edibles work faster and are more effective when they are taken with food. Always wait at least 2 hours before taking an additional amount.
Step 4. Determine if you would like a product that contains THC, CBD, or both.
THC is the compound in cannabis that produces euphoria and helps alleviate a number of symptoms.
CBD is not psychoactive and can help reduce the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, supports the immune system, aids in healing, and so much more! Effects are more subtle than THC, and it may take 2 weeks or longer to identify.
THC and CBD work best when they are used together. A product that contains both compounds can provide symptom relief with minimal side effects. Products that contain both compounds are available in the inhaled forms, tinctures, and edibles.
Step 5: Determine your serving size. Everyone has different serving size needs, but there is an easy and safe method for determining the starting point that is most appropriate for you.
When you start with cannabis, it is best to start low and go slow. Read the label on the product to determine the potency of a single serving size. If you are new to cannabis, you may want to start around 2.5 mg of THC or less. It takes the body about 3-5 days to adjust to an amount of cannabis, so do not increase too quickly. The goal is to find the smallest amount that works, so you can avoid experiencing unpleasant side effects. If you do experience unpleasant side effects, your body is simply letting you know it was too much. Try reducing the serving size or potency next time you consume it, or change the delivery system if you were already at the lowest starting point for that product.
Always understand the potency of every product you consume. Each product is different, and the amounts of THC and CBD can vary significantly. It is important to read the packing carefully to determine the total potency per package and serving sizes of the product.
Now that we have discussed the different steps in finding a suitable product, lets tie it all together!
You sheet of paper should look something like this... Remember this is just a start, and anything can be modified along the way! Our dispensary has a quick start guide pamphlet that contains everything you need to know when getting started with cannabis.
