Dosing and Delivery Methods

Finding the Right Approach for Your Health and Comfort

Every patient’s experience with medical cannabis is unique. Your body chemistry, health condition, and product type all affect how cannabis works for you.
At Greener Healing Ways, we emphasize safe, individualized dosing and help patients understand how different delivery methods influence onset, duration, and overall effect.

🌿 Start Low and Go Slow

Because everyone reacts differently to cannabinoids, it is important to begin with a low dose and increase gradually until you find your optimal balance.
This process, called titration, allows you to discover the minimum effective dose for symptom relief with the fewest side effects.

Key Guidelines

• Begin with the smallest possible dose.

• Wait to feel the full effects before taking more.

• Keep a simple log of dosage, timing, and results.

• Adjust only one variable at a time (for example, dose or method).

Remember: More is not always better. Higher doses can increase side effects or reduce therapeutic benefits.

💊 Common Delivery Methods

Inhalation (Smoking or Vaping)

• Onset: Within minutes

• Duration: 2–4 hours

• Pros: Fast relief, easy to control dose

• Cons: Shorter-lasting effects, may irritate lungs

Inhalation is best for patients who need rapid symptom relief, such as sudden pain or nausea. Vaping flower or oil is typically less harsh than smoking, but both should be done cautiously.

Edibles

• Onset: 1–2 hours

• Duration: 6–12 hours

• Pros: Long-lasting relief, discreet

• Cons: Delayed onset increases risk of overuse

Because edibles take longer to absorb through the digestive system, start with a very low dose (1–2.5 mg THC) and wait at least two hours before taking more. Many accidental overdoses occur because patients take an additional dose before the first one has fully taken effect.

Tinctures (Sublingual Drops)

• Onset: 30–60 minutes

• Duration: 4–6 hours

• Pros: Controlled dosing, flexible ratios, fast-acting

• Cons: Taste can vary; dosing precision takes practice

Tinctures are placed under the tongue for quicker absorption into the bloodstream. They are ideal for patients seeking consistent dosing without inhalation.

Topicals (Creams, Balms, and Patches)

• Onset: 15–60 minutes

• Duration: 2–6 hours

• Pros: Localized relief, non-intoxicating

• Cons: Limited systemic effects

Topicals work best for localized pain, arthritis, or muscle soreness. They do not cause impairment or euphoria and can be safely used throughout the day.

Capsules or Softgels

• Onset: 1–2 hours

• Duration: 6–10 hours

• Pros: Consistent dosing, discreet, easy to use

• Cons: Slower onset, more difficult to adjust dosage

Capsules are ideal for patients who prefer a familiar, pill-based format with long-lasting effects.

Inhalers and Nebulizers

• Onset: Within minutes

• Duration: 2–3 hours

• Pros: Fast relief without smoke or vapor

• Cons: More expensive and less widely available

These products deliver a fine mist of cannabinoids directly into the lungs, offering precise dosing without combustion.

⚖️ Choosing the Right Method

Your best method depends on your symptoms, comfort level, and lifestyle.

Our providers help tailor your plan based on your experience, tolerance, and medical goals.

🌸 Adjusting Dose Over Time

With consistent use, your body can build tolerance, meaning higher doses may be needed to achieve the same effect.
To avoid this, consider:

• Taking periodic “tolerance breaks”

• Alternating products or cannabinoid ratios

• Using smaller, more frequent doses instead of large single doses

Tracking your response helps maintain long-term effectiveness and safety.

🧠 Tips for Safer Use

• Always measure doses carefully.

• Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol or sedatives.

• Keep products clearly labeled and out of reach of children or pets.

• Use THC-containing products only in a safe, private setting until you know how they affect you.

🌈 Personalized Guidance Matters

Every patient’s ideal dose and method are different. The safest and most effective plan comes from medical supervision and careful observation.
At Greener Healing Ways, our team helps patients find balance through education, precise dosing, and ongoing support.

✳️ Next in This Series

• [Safe Use Guidelines for Patients]

• [Cannabinoids Beyond THC and CBD]

• [Choosing the Right Product Type]