Oklahoma Biker - The Riders Ragazine OKB September - October 2018 | Page 35

chemicals in pill and liquid form for
some uses.
Scientists are currently conducting
preclinical and clinical trials with
marijuana and its extracts to treat
symptoms of illness and other
conditions ranging from HIV/Aids,
multiple sclerosis and pain to seizures,
inflammation, substance abuse
disorders and mental disorders. Much
remains to be discovered.
Examples of Medical
Marijuana Delivery Methods
Medical marijuana can be consumed in
a number of ways. It comes in a variety
of different forms, dried, edible or oil.
Smoking is one of the most common
methods of consuming marijuana.
Although it is one of the fastest ways to
feel its effects, it has many of the same
health risks as regular smoking.
Vaporizing or Vaping is a quick way to
feel the effects of the medication with
fewer adverse effects than smoking.
Vaping heats the cannabis, creating a
vapor that is then inhaled, as opposed
to smoking which combusts it, creating
smoke that can irritate the throat and
lungs.
Marijuana can be mixed into food such
as brownies, cookies or candy, referred
to as edibles. It can also be brewed as
a tea. The effects are long lasting when
consumed in this fashion, but they can
be slower to kick in. Precise dosing can
also be problematic. Because edibles
can take the form of gummy bears,
lollipops and the like, it is important to
keep them out of reach of children who
cannot differentiate them from regular
candies and sweets.
oklahoma biker the riders ragazine
Tinctures or Sub-Lingual Sprays are
made by mixing extracted cannabinoids
into alcohol, glycerin solution or Medium
Chain Triglyceride Oil “MCT Oil” (often
in the form of coconut oil.) These
products usually come in a small bottle
the contents of which are squirted
under the tongue and absorbed through
the mouth. These have a mild taste
and make it easy to control dosage,
but they can be expensive. While the
effect is faster than with edibles, it’s
slower than with inhalation. Tinctures
in the form of topicals include, salves,
lotions, ointments and sprays. They
can be used for skin issues and provide
localized pain relief, but many people
don’t find them effective.
Dabbing uses a cannabis concentrate
(“hash oil,” “budder,” “shatter,”
“wax,” etc.) that is heated at a high
temperature, then inhaled. The effect
is quick, and it usually delivers a very
high dose of THC. Concentrates are
at a higher risk of containing harmful
chemicals, and the devices that are
used to heat the concentrates can be
difficult and dangerous to use.
While the scientifically proven benefits
of medical marijuana may be overstated
by advocates for legalization, research
has already shown that there are some
legitimate medical uses. As the legal
landscape around medical marijuana
changes in this state and around the
country, more opportunities arise for
clinical studies on marijuana’s medicinal
properties and applications. Further
research will help shed light on both the
benefits and risks related to its use.
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