{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/smoking/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3906-markdown","title":"How to Roll a Joint","slug":"how-to-roll-a-joint","content":"### How to Roll a Joint\n\nIt's easy to roll your own joints, especially with the right grinder and a roller. This article will take you step by step through the process of rolling a joint at home. Out of all [the different ways to consume marijuana](https://hellomd.com/articles/understanding-medical-marijuanas-many-shapes-and-forms), smoking a joint is a classic way to consume cannabis. You don't need much to roll a joint, aside from your weed. The accessories are affordable and easy to carry around so that you can roll a joint anywhere.\n\n![How to roll a joint](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_03_11_at_2_38_21_PM_0a00de608b.png)\n\n ### Why Smoke a Joint\n\n[Many patients prefer to smoke joints](https://hellomd.com/articles/why-some-patients-prefer-smoking-joints) because they feel relief so quickly. Some appreciate the simplicity and cost-effectiveness, while others say that smoking a joint affects them differently than vaping, [smoking a pipe or bong](https://hellomd.com/articles/using-pipes-and-bongs-to-smoke-medical-marijuana). Patients suffering from nausea and chronic pain swear that smoking joints are the only way to ease their symptoms. \n\n![How to roll a joint](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_03_11_at_2_39_15_PM_43e0445151.png)\n \n### Smoking Marijuana Vs. Cigarettes\n \nMany people are averse to smoking their medical marijuana at all. Joints are sometimes called marijuana cigarettes, but they aren't as harmful to your health as tobacco cigarettes. The *Journal of the American Medical Association* published a [20-year study on cannabis smokers](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1104848) that shows smoking cannabis is not as harmful to the lungs as cigarettes and did not lead to lung or colon cancers. [The Harm Reduction Journal](https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7517-2-21) states that cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic. \n \nFor the most part, the benefits of inhaling cannabinoids outweigh the adverse effects of the smoke. But smoking can irritate the lungs, induce allergies, or cause coughing and phlegm. If you have sensitive lungs or can't smoke for any reason, then you may want to [try a flower vaporizer instead](https://hellomd.com/articles/beginners-guide-finding-the-right-marijuana-vaporizer). \n\n![How to roll a joint](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_03_11_at_2_40_02_PM_cb2fd6f7e9.png)\n \nBelow we take you through the steps for rolling the perfect joint.\n\n#### Supplies\n \nTo properly roll a joint, there are a few accessories you need to have; most can be bought at the dispensary along with your cannabis. This tutorial uses a roller accessory that basically rolls the joint for you. Here's what you need to roll joints:\n \n- Grinder\n- Rolling Papers\n- Roller\n- Lighter\n- Tip or Filter\n- Cannabis flower of your choice\n\n![how to roll a joint](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_03_11_at_2_35_53_PM_2a28a7098b.png)\n \nGrinders come in many sizes and materials. The ones that work best are metal with a multi-tier design that separates the ground weed out of the grinder teeth. Rolling papers also come in a variety of sizes and materials. Try to use natural, unbleached, and undyed papers when possible. \n\n![Cannabis grinder](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_03_11_at_2_40_57_PM_2712327ea5.png)\n\nWe use a roller in this tutorial because it makes the process easy and inexpensive. More practice and skill are required to roll a tight joint without one. Tips are also optional, but they make joints easier to hold, and they filter any loose grind that pulls through as you inhale. \n \n#### Steps\n \n- 1.) Load the Grinder. Remove the grinder lid and load about 2/3 gram of flower into the grinder. Pull out seeds and stems as you break up the buds between the teeth of the grinder. Replace lid. \n- 2.) Rotate & Grind. Press down on the lid and rotate back and forth. Unscrew the top half of the grinder to reveal your freshly ground flower.\n- 3.) Load Roller. First, place the tip at one end of the roller. Then add your cannabis a little at a time and even it out along the roller. You want to fill it up to the top, making sure it's full but not over-stuffed. Once full, lift the roller pole up and over to seal all the contents inside. \n- 4.) Roll. Use thumbs to roll the pole forward a few times. \n- 5.) Add Paper. Add a single sheet of rolling paper, making sure the sticky side is facing you at the top. Roll forward to roll the paper around the joint. Lick the sticky end, then continue to roll forward and seal the joint. \n- 6.) Light and Enjoy. Open the roller to find your perfectly rolled joint. Now it's time to smoke it. \n \n### Get Your Medical Document & Purchase Medical Cannabis\n \nIt's easy to get your medical document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/get-started). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed partitioner and purchase medical cannabis today.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/ee604/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.png","srcSet":"/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/69585/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.png 200w,\n/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/497c6/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.png 400w,\n/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/ee604/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.png 800w,\n/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/f3583/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/58556/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/61e93/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.webp 200w,\n/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/1f5c5/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.webp 400w,\n/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/58556/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.webp 800w,\n/static/70044e3c666691c350a702146d090541/99238/bf27fd661ae697326b168986c8e175bc.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2094-markdown","title":"How To Do a Cannabis Tasting","slug":"how-to-do-a-cannabis-tasting","content":"### What’s Cannabis Tasting\n\nCannabis is an extremely unique plant with many different flavors, smells, physical effects, and visual attributes. Cannabis tasting, much like wine or beer tasting, is all about noticing the subtleties between different cannabis strains. Cannabis tasting is a multi-step process that takes concentration, knowledge and understanding. It is also a great way to get more familiar with the types of varieties you may enjoy, both because of their taste and the effect they have on you. \n\n### How Do You Taste Cannabis?\n\nWhen tasting cannabis strains you should choose one consistent consumption method across all tastings. Each administration method, be it smoking a joint, smoking through a water pipe, or vaporizing, can bring out different qualities in the cannabis plant, due the different temperatures and conditions that are created during the smoking process. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nAlso, try to resist eating or drinking while tasting cannabis. Though one of the newest trends in the world of marijuana is cannabis and wine or cannabis and food tastings, when you are tasting on your own it is better to start with cannabis only. Usually cannabis that is paired with wine or food is being paired in a way to bring out certain flavors or nuances that come from the complimenting food or beverage. When tasting cannabis on its own, it is better to get to know strains in a simple way, and then venture into pairing and complimenting flavors of your favorite strains with foods or beverages. \n\n### 1. Look At It\n\nIf you’ve never walked through a cannabis dispensary and admired the amazing variety of cannabis buds, you’re missing out. Each strain of cannabis contains different colors, like vibrant purples and yellows, as well as unique physical attributes, like crystallization or a soft moss-like texture. Before diving in to tasting your cannabis, look at the bud or nuggets and take notes, either mental or physical, on what you see.  Visual aspects, like trichomes, which are the small crystal or fuzz-like substance that you see on cannabis plants, can change the flavor of a cannabis strain.\n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS TOURISM: YOUR 420 HOLIDAY](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/581a2c4655e441000b0b516e/cannabis-tourism-your-420-holiday)\n\n### 2. Touch It\n\nAfter visually inspecting your cannabis, feel it. You can learn a lot from feeling a cannabis plant. Some strains are spongy and soft, while others are dry and more brittle. Certain strains are also sticky to the touch, which usually means they have many resin-rich trichomes coating their leaves, while other strains are completely dry to the touch. Cannabis varieties are as different to the touch as they are to the eye. Each of these different aspects of a cannabis plant is part of its genetics. You may tend to like strains that are more sticky and coarse because you like the high concentration of trichomes, so these are important aspects to inspect in order to better recognize patterns between different strains of cannabis. \n\n### 3. Smell It\n\nSmell is a large part of our taste. As we have all experienced before, food tastes much more dull when we have a cold compare to when our sense of smell is at full capacity. It is important to smell the cannabis you are tasting even before you begin to consume it so you can understand the difference between the bud when it is just cured, compared to when it is being ignited. \n\nWhen you are smelling cannabis, look for aromas like sweet, spicy, woody, floral, fuel-like, and citrus, because these are some of the most common aromas. Each strain of cannabis has different terpenes and their taste can range from bright and citrusy to musky and floral. Each terpene provides a unique smell, taste, and effect to different strains of cannabis. \n\n### 4. Consume It \n\nWhen you are smoking or vaporizing cannabis it is important to consider a few different qualities. First, what does the strain taste like? Try to focus on the nuances of the flavor of the cannabis and see if there have been any changes in the smell of the cannabis now that it is being burned while you are consuming it. Much like when tasting wine, try to taste it slowly and embrace all of the different subtleties. It is important to remember that each cannabis strain is different and some may be very potent. Taste cannabis very slowly while you are still learning your tolerance level with that specific strain. \n\nSecondly, how does the strain make you feel? Does consuming the strain you are tasting make you feel awake or tired? Alert or calm? Anxious or relaxed? It is also important to recognize the psychoactive level of the strain and determine if it is a level that you feel comfortable with or not. Different strains also produce effects in different ways. Some strains produce effects quickly that come on all at once, while others slowly come over your body in a more controlled manner. \n\nLastly, it is important to recognize how the strain changes or effects your activities. Does a strain lead you to enjoy your favorite activities more, like cooking, listening to music, or doing yoga? Or does the strain cause you to dislike the activities that you normally enjoy? It is also important to see what strains help you with various medical issues. Did a certain strain make your headache go away or did it cause a stimulation of your appetite? All of these qualities are important to take note of while tasting cannabis. \n\n### Where Are Cannabis Tastings Happening?\n\nCannabis tasting is a growing industry that has expanded beyond the home, including both social clubs and tourism based activities. Cannabis tasting, much like wine tasting, can be a social event where you can learn more about cannabis. The Herba Buena Social Club is a collective and apothecary that specializes in biodynamic cannabis that is grown in the great outdoors. Herba Buena was founded in the beautiful Napa Valley wine country and has brought much of the wine tasting experience into their social clubs. \n\nHerba Buena specializes in medical cannabis products that are made with sustainability and practicality in mind. Their [social club tastings](http://herbabuena.com/the-social-club/), which are offered for their collective members, help educate people on cannabis while allowing them to try a variety of interesting and unique strains and products. \n\nColorado Cannabis Tours, on the other hand, focuses on the recreational cannabis market that has gained traction in Colorado. Colorado Cannabis Tours functions much like a cannabis-specific travel agency. They offer a variety of tours, like a grow house or dispensary tours in Denver, as well as recommendations for cannabis friendly hotels around Colorado. \n\nThey also connect people with unique classes, like a cannabis cooking and cannabis yoga, as well as events like “Puff Pass Paint” classes that allow people to light up while getting creative. Herba Buena and Colorado Cannabis Tours are just two of the companies breaking into the world of cannabis tasting, a field that is only expected to grow in the coming years.\n_____________________________________________________________________\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/14b42/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/f836f/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.jpg 200w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/2244e/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.jpg 400w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/14b42/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.jpg 800w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/47498/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.jpg 1200w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/54ac5/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/58556/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/61e93/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.webp 200w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/1f5c5/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.webp 400w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/58556/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.webp 800w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/99238/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.webp 1200w,\n/static/4fc293993f46e7f7dd70afc3c0f0cf0a/5e0b8/998be81996a011c02d87b7efe77cc893.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2231-markdown","title":"Vapexhale: The Leading Desktop Cannabis Vaporizer","slug":"vapexhale-the-leading-desktop-cannabis-vaporizer","content":"[Vapexhale](http://www.vapexhale.com/), the leading desktop vaporizer on the market today, is the brainchild of Seibo Shen. I first met Shen at an overcrowded table in Starbucks during the last Marijuana Business Conference and Expo in Las Vegas this past year. Finding the table and staking claim on it was nothing short of a miracle at one of the biggest cannabis conferences of the year. I did not leave it for about ten hours, but the easy breeziest half an hour of my day was spent talking with Seibo. I quickly dubbed him ‘the nicest guy in cannabis’, a claim to fame he comes by naturally.\r\n\r\nAfter running into Seibo several more times I agreed to meet him at his new digs, an office in the Meadow headquarters located in San Francisco’s SOMA district. Meadow, a seed to sale technology business, has allowed their HQ to become a social and business hub for the cannabis industry in SF. Seibo’s corner of the world reminded me of a college loft, with a boxing bag for letting off steam, and was also reminiscent of cool-but-ramshackle wide open spaces you used to find in the city with some frequency. Used to, being the operative part of that sentence.\r\n\r\n**The Back Story**\r\n\r\nShen, a California native and former stuntman, turned to medical marijuana after discovering that the prescription medication he used to treat his many sports injuries was making him ill.  While Shen was intrigued by the use of medical marijuana to address his injuries, he wasn't interested in smoking cannabis due to concerns about the health of his lungs. With this in mind, Shen began exploring vaporizers. He purchased his first (a BC Vape) in 1997 and followed it up with upwards of 75 other vaporizers in the subsequent years. When he failed to find one that worked well for him, he decided to make his own. Today, Shen is now a force to be reckoned with in the cannabis industry. He’s been a successful entrepreneur in the past which has continued into his new foray with Vapexhale. Among other accolades, Shen has won the ArcView competition with his vaporizer, one of the most coveted awards within the industry. \r\n\r\nOne of Shen’s drivers is his desire to forge a connection between athletics, creativity and cannabis, and to lay a foundation that allows people to consume marijuana in a medicinal, intelligent and healthy way. He's succeeded in doing that while also creating a tactile, beautiful product that appeals to discerning consumers who not only want a healthier alternative, but one that is also enjoyable to use. Thanks to its thoughtful design and easy of use, the Vapexhale is gaining positive reviews from well known cannabis publications across the board.\r\n\r\n**Vapexhale: The Leading Desktop Vaporizer**\r\n\r\nIn our recent [HelloMD patient survey](https://www.hellomd.com/medical-marijuana-patient-survey), 66% of survey participants said they favored vaporizing their cannabis. This is a large number of people who still prefer smoking to other means of ingestion. Vapexhale is currently one of the most buzzed-about desktop vaporizers due to its polished, clean vaporizing experience for medical users.\r\nA few things set apart the Vapexhale from other competitors on the market:\r\n\r\n**Taste:** Most vaporizers change the taste of marijuana, yet many people prefer to be able to taste the unique flavor of different cannabis strains. Vapexhale features a glass vapor path that allows the character of a strain to remain intact and free of a burnt or harsh taste.\r\n\r\n**Efficiency:** Vapexhale is beautifully designed and has almost a retro feel to it. It also allows users to enjoy maximum medicinal effect with minimal amounts of marijuana.\r\n\r\n**Power:** Vapexhale offers a powerful production engine that vaporizes marijuana quickly and efficiently.\r\n\r\n**How It Works**\r\n\r\nThe Vapexhale is eight inches tall and boasts features like a temperature dial and a computer power cable and works with both flowers and oils. In fact, the Vapexhale has two Cannabis Cup trophies, once for their flower functionality, and once for their concentrate capabilities. The vaporizer's capsule is made from borosilicate glass or a stainless steel screen material that is placed into the glass upper of the vaporizer. The Vapexhale works by heating shredded marijuana (or concentrate) and then drawing the marijuana vapor through the included HydraTubes, which helps cool the vapor and maintain an excellent taste. \r\n\r\nFor $450, the HydraTube is included with the EVO (along with all the accessories necessary to utilize the device). People can purchase standalone HydraTubes for $150 and can also get our Standard Start Kit (with just a Dry Mouth Piece + accessories) for $350. Beautiful, innovative, functional and user-friendly, there's no doubt that the Vapexhale is currently one of the most in-demand and innovative vaporizers on the market. \r\n\r\n**The Future Holds…**\r\n\r\nWhile Shen could continue on his path with new Vapexhale desktop models, he has an eye on a different prize. After spending an hour at his office chatting, he unveiled the designs for his new portable vaporizer. Totally unique from anything I have seen, sleek and transportable, his new portable device is going to turn heads and garner even more attention than he has had to date. Anticipated release date is 2017, so keep an eye out for it.\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/ee604/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.png","srcSet":"/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/69585/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.png 200w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/497c6/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.png 400w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/ee604/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.png 800w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/f3583/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.png 1200w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/f90fa/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/58556/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/61e93/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.webp 200w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/1f5c5/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.webp 400w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/58556/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.webp 800w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/99238/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.webp 1200w,\n/static/38f71619faddd622ec2475a3786ad42b/5e0b8/ce898da040678a07c45e5bcc99fc1573.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1966-markdown","title":"Consuming Marijuana Every Day: The Pros & Cons","slug":"consuming-marijuana-every-day-the-pros-and-cons","content":"Many people consume marijuana every day and feel that it improves their health. Others are concerned about how it affects their brain and lungs—if they're smoking. So, what's the answer? Is it safe to consume marijuana daily? If so, is it something you _should_ do? Here's our list of pros and cons of marijuana use on a daily basis.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \n\n### Consuming Marijuana Every Day: Pros\n\nIn addition to helping people cope with things like digestive disorders and depression, cannabis is also good for the management of regular aches and pains. This is one of the main reasons that people consume it on a daily basis. Some even think of cannabis, and especially the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) as a preventative substance, like a vitamin, and so consume it daily. Here are some marijuana pros to consider.\n\n#### Daily Cannabis Consumption Helps Cope With Pain\n\nFor thousands of years, marijuana has been used as an effective treatment for everything from [chronic pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55a5559d6237660006250000/marijuana-nips-pain-in-the-bud)\nto [menstrual cramps](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55dcd66a3961660006470000/marijuana-brings-relief-to-women-suffering-from-pms-symptoms). For some pain sufferers, marijuana can offer formidable pain relief benefits with none of the [dangerous side\neffects of painkillers—over the counter or prescribed by a doctor](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55c91db33934390006220000/cannabis-may-be-safer-than-opioids-for-managing-pain).\n\nStudies are now showing that pain sufferers who take opioids for their ailments [prefer marijuana and say that the plant gives them comparable pain relief](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58c731c766f73a578ef78e50/science-backs-cannabis-as-a-replacement-to-opioids) without opioids’ scary side effects. \n\n#### Marijuana May Make You More Creative\n\nWhen it comes to letting the creative juices flow, [smoking marijuana can help some people get creative](https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/psychology-masala/201204/cannabis-and-creativity). In light of this, it's used daily by [many people in creative professional fields, like music and art](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a53b186100a820006562f54/meet-3-artists-who-use-cannabis-to-spark-their-creativity). While marijuana doesn’t stimulate creativity for everyone, it can certainly help you come up with new ideas and think outside the box more than you typically would.\n\n#### Marijuana Can Help Regulate Blood Sugar & Weight Gain\n\nDespite that old stereotype of stoners getting the munchies and becoming fat on unhealthy food binges, research shows that everyday marijuana consumers are actually healthier than previously thought. According to a study published in the _American Journal of Epidemiology_, [people who use marijuana daily have a lower risk of obesity](https://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/24/aje.kwr200.abstract) than people who don't consume cannabis.\n\nAdditionally, a study in the _American Journal of Medicine_ showed that [regular cannabis users have thinner waists and lower insulin levels](http://healthland.time.com/2013/05/21/marijuana-the-next-diabetes-drug/) than their cannabis-free peers. Because of this, daily cannabis consumption may be a good option for people struggling to maintain a healthy weight, it just may take a bit of experimentation to see which cannabis strains and products don’t stimulate your appetite. \n\n### Consuming Marijuana on a Daily Basis: Cons\n\nWhile consuming cannabis daily offers some folks many positive effects including pain relief and enhanced creativity, there are some marijuana cons that you should be aware of as well. \n\n#### Smoking Marijuana Daily Increases the Risk of Respiratory Illness\n\nWhile there are many ways of consuming marijuana, people who choose to smoke it may experience [forms of respiratory illness](http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20091015/daily-pot-smokers-court-health-risks?page=2), such as chronic bronchitis, chronic coughing, wheezing and higher-than-normal levels of sputum. Studies have also shown a [potential link between regular marijuana inhalation and upper respiratory tract cancers](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2516340/), although the results have been mixed and often contradictory. If this is something that concerns you, try a smoke-free way of consuming cannabis including tinctures, edibles or topicals.\n\n#### Smoking Marijuana Can Damage Lungs in the Long Term\n\nAccording to the [American Lung Association, marijuana smoke can damage lung health](http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/marijuana-and-lung-health.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/). Additionally, since marijuana smokers generally hold their breath longer and inhale more deeply than people who smoke cigarettes, there’s a risk that marijuana smokers may actually be exposed to more tar than cigarette smokers, though the carcinogens released from cigarettes are different than cannabis.\n\nBut anyone concerned about this aspect of consuming marijuana should opt for consumption methods like edibles or vaporizers, which offer the medicinal effects of the plant without the harmful effects smoking marijuana can have on the lungs.\n\n#### Marijuana Can Raise Your Heart Rate\n\nAccording to research, [marijuana raises the resting heart rate of people who use it frequently](http://www.livescience.com/45087-marijuana-heart-problems-deaths.html).\nWhile this isn’t a problem for healthy folks, it may be dangerous for people who have risk factors such as heart disease, arrhythmias or a family history of heart disease. In light of this, people suffering from any form of heart disease should consult a doctor and review their symptoms before getting involved in daily marijuana use.\n\n#### Excess Use of Cannabis May Disrupt Learning\n\nAccording to a 2011 study, it's possible that [excess cannabis use can impair verbal learning and problem solving](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037578/). But if cannabis consumption stops, these effects generally last for only three weeks. It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that these symptoms are most pronounced in people who consume large amounts of cannabis on a regular basis.\n\nResearch now is supporting the thinking that cannabis doesn’t lead to IQ decline and that older studies that suggested it did didn’t account for other factors such as mental illness, alcohol use and socioeconomic status. \n\nRELATED: [DOES SMOKING MARIJUANA MAKE YOU STUPID?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56d69af2a6d8a5000c00002c/does-smoking-marijuana-make-you-stupid)\n\n### How to Decide How Much Cannabis Is Right for You\n\nThe decision about whether to smoke or ingest cannabis every day is a highly personal one. Cannabis has many well-known medicinal effects and has been shown time and time again to be a healthier and safer treatment option for a wide variety of [anxiety and mood\ndisorders](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55fc4eea3063390006b90000/cannabis-for-anxiety-and-stress-disorders), as well as [physical symptoms like muscle spasms](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b156f433303700060f0000/easing-muscle-spasms-with-medical-marijuana). Even people who don't suffer from these symptoms often enjoy consuming marijuana on a daily basis. While you should always talk to your doctor before adopting a daily marijuana regimen, this is a valid option for many consumers.\n\nBut it's important to keep in mind that there are also risks to everyday marijuana usage, although they’re less conclusive than the noted benefits. Daily marijuana smokers may suffer from lung disease. Frequent use of cannabis can also increase risk of heart disease and difficulty maintaining attention span.\n\nIt’s up to individuals and their doctors to weigh the pros and cons of cannabis and decide whether daily marijuana usage is a good fit for their lifestyle.\n\nPhoto credit: [ashton](https://www.flickr.com/photos/8364994@N02/4834872285/in/photolist-8neZ5Z-64VQXv-dox2X-8FDa14-dmtvQG-nJCA9q-TTo2aa-QZZAcG-6p4WvU-2iAnC-6Wm5VR-nJCp4j-ogDqSp-HTEy2K-8dsv7Z-GqVRVR-9fPLXx-6rw6Rz-9nn8Sr-dtwbRQ-jZ7sr-5QLD8w-dK7UdC-jZ3kp-6TUTVp-21CmSdS-gv2Qpd-jqsZEW-8m9Zpi-aBqp8F-8nuNoz-HTEvpa-pyekQm-R3BnqK-8QzbMH-rkzc1F-axBBkh-7TKsfj-8nxwXJ-7ZHRji-996agY-rY3P5t-7RncRf-R2Ftww-8neNWp-d7PfnQ-RGVjn3-awPuQe-21KMFMs-yDxCT)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/14b42/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/f836f/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.jpg 200w,\n/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/2244e/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.jpg 400w,\n/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/14b42/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.jpg 800w,\n/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/4fcde/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.jpg 928w","srcWebp":"/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/58556/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/61e93/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.webp 200w,\n/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/1f5c5/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.webp 400w,\n/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/58556/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.webp 800w,\n/static/e8a69b41784e6b75b2d972f2f4bd4bf4/ac1cd/3a1595299c1a32a3025565213032da41.webp 928w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1980-markdown","title":"Cannabis Vaporization: A Better Delivery Method","slug":"cannabis-vaporization-a-better-delivery-method","content":"One of the major arguments against medical marijuana is the potential\nrisks of inhaling smoke, since smoking is the traditional methods of\ncannabis delivery.\n[Research](http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/respiratoryeffects.htm)\nhas shown that cannabis smoke does contain some [irritants and\ncarcinogens](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/# B47)\nsimilar to tobacco smoke. Other research, however, has also shown that\nthe cannabinoids in marijuana [provide some\nprotection](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/)\nagainst damage from these chemicals - cannabis seems to boost the immune\nresponse and block enzyme action needed for carcinogenesis - and has\nfailed to find a link between [marijuana and lung\ncancer](http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/15/10/1829.short) or\nlong-term negative effects on [lung\ncapacity](http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1104848).\n\nSmoking cannabis has, however, been linked to respiratory problems\nincluding increased [coughing, wheezing, sputum\nproduction](http://www.ukcia.org/research/RespiratoryEffectsOfCannabisDependence.pdf),\nand airway inflammation. Thus, patients may be reluctant to use this\nmethod despite evidence showing it is faster than ingestion for\ncannabinoid delivery.\n\nAnother cannabis delivery option is\n[vaporization](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J175v04n01_02#.Ve3cPxFVikp).\nIn this method, the cannabis is heated to a temperature lower than what\noccurs with combustion (combustion occurs at about 230°C). The lower\ntemperature (185°C) releases the cannabinoids, and not the toxins, into\na mist or vapor that is inhaled. The amount of cannabinoid delivered is\nsimilar to that of smoking, but has [fewer respiratory symptoms and\nproblems](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1853086/).\n\nSafer than Smoking\n------------------\n\nTetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the most abundant cannabinoids in\ncannabis and is associated with the marijuana high. THC can help treat\npain, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. In a\n[study](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J175v04n01_02#.Ve3cPxFVikp)\nthat compared vaporization and smoking, researchers found that THC\nlevels were between 36 percent and 61 percent for vaporization, which is\nsimilar to the levels found with smoking cannabis. Furthermore,\nexamination of the vapor found only trace amounts of the toxic chemicals\nfound in smoke.\n\nEach cannabinoid has a different [evaporation\ntemperature](http://www.zamnesia.com/content/284-vaporizer-temperatures-for-cannabis).\nTHC evaporates at about 157°C, whereas cannabidiol (CBD) evaporates at\ntemperatures between 160 and 180°C.\n[CBD](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579248/) has been\nfound effective in treating pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and\ndepression, as well as in reducing cancerous tumors. The trick with\nvaporization is to keep the temperature high enough to release the\ncannabinoids, but low enough to prevent combustion.\n\nConduction vs. Convection\n-------------------------\n\nCurrent vaporizers work either through conduction or convection. In\nconduction, the cannabis is placed directly on a heating element,\nsometimes referred to as a nail, that has been heated with a flame. With\nconvection, heat is indirect and is transferred through a gas or liquid\nto the cannabis. Both methods have some positives and negatives.\n\nConduction vaporization:\n\n-   Heats quickly\n-   Requires a less expensive device\n-   Has a higher risk of combustion as there is no temperature control\n    for a direct flame\n-   Requires shaking or stirring of the cannabis between draws\n\nConvection vaporization:\n\n-   Takes longer to heat\n-   Requires a more expensive device\n-   Provides for more accurate temperature control and thus more even\n    heating\n-   Has less chance of combustion\n\nFlower vs. Concentrate\n----------------------\n\nVaporizers\ntake either herb (leaves and flowers) or concentrate. Vapor from herbs\ncontains between 5 percent and 20 percent THC and from concentrate about\n60 percent. To create concentrate, cannabis is filtered through a\nsolvent, ice water, or carbon dioxide to separate the THC from the plant\nmatter. This concentrate is then placed in the vaporizer for use.\n\nPatients should talk with their medical marijuana professional to see\nwhat types of vaporizers and what form of cannabis would be best for\ntheir needs. Each form a vaporization has benefits for patients\ndepending on the type of condition they wish to alleviate.\n\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/127457165@N03/16546091210)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.36986301369863,"src":"/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/14b42/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/f836f/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.jpg 200w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/2244e/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.jpg 400w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/14b42/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.jpg 800w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/47498/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.jpg 1200w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/57cfc/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.jpg 1402w","srcWebp":"/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/58556/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/61e93/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.webp 200w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/1f5c5/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.webp 400w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/58556/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.webp 800w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/99238/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.webp 1200w,\n/static/9c66b84c4df13f6bad2dff216d3e88f9/c569c/0fccc95b98456c6004ce0e8baeb362e4.webp 1402w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1937-markdown","title":"The Differences Between Edibles and Flowers","slug":"the-differences-between-edibles-and-flowers","content":"A medical marijuana patient has more options now than ever before.\r\nEdible products are coming increasingly more popular as the medical\r\nmarijuana industry is growing. Edibles offer a great-tasting way to get\r\nthe benefit of medical-grade cannabis without smoking. For some, edibles\r\nare be a more efficient way to introduce cannabinoids, specifically THC,\r\ninto their system. Below are [five\r\nways](https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/ingest-or-inhale-5-differences-between-marijuana-edibles-and-flow)\r\nedible products differ from traditional flowers.\r\n\r\nDifferent Delivery Methods\r\n--------------------------\r\n\r\nIngesting marijuana-infused edibles requires the body to metabolize THC\r\nthrough the liver. The liver converts the THC to 11-hydroxy-THC, which\r\nis a practical delivery system. The converted THC is better able to\r\ncross the blood-brain barrier, creating a more intense effect. Inhaled\r\ncannabis, whether smoked or vaporized, travels from the lungs directly\r\nto the brain. The effect of the drug is faster, but lasts for a shorter\r\nduration.\r\n\r\nSlower Processing\r\n-----------------\r\n\r\nThe different delivery and absorption methods mean that edibles take\r\nlonger to metabolize. A person who smokes or vaporizes cannabis will\r\nfeel the effect quickly. In an edible form, it may take up to 2 hours to\r\nget the benefit, but it will be longer lasting.\r\n\r\nWhile edibles may feel stronger, they actually deliver a smaller\r\nconcentration of cannabinoids. An edible product may offer only 10 to 20\r\npercent of THC, while smoked cannabis has closer to 50 to 60 percent.\r\nThe smoked product will peak in the first 10 minutes and likely\r\ndisappear in less than an hour, whereas the effects from edibles can\r\nlast several hours.\r\n\r\nDosing Challenges\r\n-----------------\r\n\r\nCalculating the THC content of edibles, either homemade or manufactured,\r\nis a challenge. With inhaled cannabis, the patient knows right away if\r\nthey are close to the right dose and can adjust as needed. Edibles,\r\nhowever, must be ingested and metabolized before the patient feels the\r\neffect, making it hard to gauge the proper dose.\r\n\r\nPotency Levels\r\n--------------\r\n\r\nSince dosing is difficult with edibles, it becomes tough to measure the\r\npotency of products from batch to batch. The first time a patient tries\r\na form of marijuana-infused candy, for example, it may produce a mild\r\neffect. The next time, he or she may take more to get a stronger dose\r\nand find this batch is twice as potent. Steps are being taken to\r\nregulate the testing of manufactured edible cannabis products and\r\ncontrol its THC content, but it may take time. Those who live in a state\r\nthat does not yet require testing should use edibles cautiously to\r\nensure they get the proper effect.\r\n\r\nHealth Concerns of Smoking\r\n--------------------------\r\n\r\nSmoking cannabis can have long-term health effects, which is why many\r\nturn to edibles or vaporization. Others may worry about the sugar\r\ncontent of edible products, but now days, not all edibles are brownies\r\nor sweet treats. Today, there are edible recipes for hummus, vegetable\r\nmedleys, teas, and even bacon. Those making their own edibles should use\r\ncaution to ensure they get accurate doses.\r\n\r\nEach person must find the delivery method that works for them. For\r\npatients with chronic pain, edibles offer sustainable relief. People who\r\nwant an immediate benefit and are okay with a shorter-lasting duration\r\nwill find that smoking is an effective route. Overall, it will take some\r\nexperimentation to find the optimum delivery system for each patient.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/eggrole/4725614490/in/photolist-8cA1xU-rehJzP-7b1em2-7aZK1K-7aUPJF-7aWEBS-atJFX4-9o6CCK-9o9EZj-bjyU1L-7aZywZ-awPuQe-bwQBYj)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/14b42/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.jpg","srcSet":"/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/f836f/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.jpg 200w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/2244e/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.jpg 400w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/14b42/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.jpg 800w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/47498/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.jpg 1200w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/a6974/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/58556/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/61e93/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.webp 200w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/1f5c5/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.webp 400w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/58556/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.webp 800w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/99238/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.webp 1200w,\n/static/28a04513ffe0a75da0f5df761d81aa06/d5052/92533e8fb014050819078d2543555a74.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5755,"name":"Smoking","slug":"smoking","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}