Women’s Introductory Guide to Cannabis

Edibles are another smoke-free consumption option that are often the first-choice of cannabis newbies. It’s as easy as it gets: you simply eat or drink the product. This is the second-most traditional cannabis consumption method behind smoking. You’ve probably heard of pot brownies or cookies, (or maybe you remember a scene or two in movies where somebody accidentally eats a pot brownie, usually leading to comedy.) Well, edibles have come a long, long way from pot brownies, and have spawned many sub-categories. Beyond traditional baked goods, there’s every sweet treat you could imagine, from chocolates to gummies. And technically still an edible, cannabis beverages are quickly growing in popularity too. Want to drink a cannabis-infused cherry soda? No problem, brands like Dixie specialize in exactly that.

Edibles are processed through the liver instead of through the lungs like smoking and vaping, producing a notably different experience referred to by some as a “body high.” They have a much slower onset, sometimes even taking several hours before feeling the effects. We often hear of newcomers taking an edible, waiting 30 minutes, and believing there hasn’t been any effect, taking more and having a bad experience. That’s why we can’t stress this enough: START LOW AND GO SLOW! Edibles bakery Sweet Grass Kitchen recommends that women new to edibles begin with no more than 2.5mg of THC. And don’t be afraid to cut an edible into smaller pieces for a smaller dose! For example, Sweet Grass’ Chocolate Chip Cookies are 10mg of THC per serving but can easily be cut into fourths for beginners.

Dissolvable cannabis products are one of the most versatile products available today. The most popular example of a dissolvable cannabis product is called Ripple and is made by Stillwater. It’s a powder that comes in small packets, about a quarter of the size of a sugar packet you’d use for your coffee. Their range includes packets of 10mg THC, a “balanced” 5mg THC and 5mg CBD packet, and a 10mg CBD / 1mg THC packet. The powder is tasteless, odorless, and when mixed into liquid, colorless. And while we refer to them as a “dissolvable,” they don’t necessarily need to be dissolved into liquid. You could sprinkle a Ripple pack onto a slice of pizza, mix it into your morning coffee, or add to a virgin mojito. Heck, if you’re pressed for time and would prefer to take it with your vitamins, you can simple drop the powder directly into your mouth.

Further along in this guide, you’ll find a delicious recipe for cannabis-infused, non-alcoholic margaritas that feature Ripple.

Capsules and tinctures could technically still be considered both edibles or extracts (confusing, we know), but we believe they are better explained in a category of their own. Capsules are tasteless, odorless, and one of the most precise dosing methods available. If you’d prefer to simply take your cannabis with your vitamins in the morning, then that’s the choice for you. Tinctures are a liquid cannabis extract that are popular with consumers looking for dosage control but prefer faster onset of effects compared to capsules. For women interested in using cannabis solely as a medical product, these are both popular options.

The traditional way to consume cannabis, smoking still offers many benefits as a consumption method. Smoking cannabis provides a fast onset of effects, and relatively short duration when compared to other methods. It remains a favorite for cannaseurs that enjoy experiencing the aroma and taste of the plant. There are many, many ways to smoke cannabis. Joints, pipes, bongs, hookahs…it’s a very long list! While smoking is still the most popular consumption method, it’s rapidly losing ground to alternatives like vaping and edibles.

Many newcomers to cannabis that aren’t smokers already aren’t interested in smoking cannabis. That’s particularly true for women that are interested in cannabis as an addition to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Extracts and concentrates are umbrella terms that represent another dimension within the cannabis world, with their own tools, techniques, and terminology. The basics are exactly as you’d imagine: extracts are products that are created by extracting the desired compound(s) from the cannabis plant, or a product that is processed into a concentrated form. They are typically (but not always) consumed using vaporization. The range of extract products available today is staggering, and more and more different types of extract products seem to be hitting the market.

CO2 oil that you would use in a vape pen or table-top vaporizer is an extract, but in this section we’re referring to the other products in this category like shatter, wax, live resin, budder, and hash. These products are typically not recommended for women that are just starting their cannabis journey. Also known as dabs, they are consumed with a super-hot dab rig, (a glass apparatus made specifically for this purpose) often heated with a blowtorch. If that sounds intimidating, you’re not alone. Most cannabis fans that prefer extract products have a very high-tolerance and have worked their way through other consumption methods before “graduating” to dabs.

A topical cannabis product is exactly what you’d expect: a product that is applied topically to the skin. They are typically found in the form of lotions, balms, oils, and salves that are infused with cannabis. Topicals have a range of THC and CBD content, with some containing only CBD and some containing high amounts of THC. Do you remember when we said you could use cannabis without getting high? Topicals containing THC do not produce psychoactive effects. That makes these products a fantastic delivery method for women that would like to use cannabis to treat aches, general pains, and muscle soreness. Some topicals are even infused with essential oils. How about a lavender-infused, high-CBD lotion to put on your sore shoulders just before bed? Or a menthol-CBD rub for your legs after a long hike? Yes please!

Transdermals are cannabis products that are applied to the skin in the form of a patch or gel pen. Unlike topicals, however, transdermals penetrate the top layer of skin introducing their ingredients directly to the bloodstream. Transdermals can produce mild psychoactive effects depending on their ingredients. This cannabis product sub-category is quickly growing in popularity because they offer some unique properties not found in any other “consumption” method. First, they provide a quick onset, usually within 15-30 minutes. Second, transdermal patches provide a steady, long-lasting effect, often for 12 hours or more. They’re perfect for women looking for all-day relief and who need convenience and discretion. Some transdermals include CBD only, while others include a mix of CBD, THC, or CBN (yet another cannabinoid that’s gaining popularity for its anecdotal health benefits.) For example, Mary’s Medicinals produces a range of patches that have THC derived from a Sativa strain, THC derived from an indica strain, a combination of THC and CBD, or CBN.

Historical evidence going back over 1000 years documents women’s use of cannabis to relieve menstrual pain. While there are few scientific studies for this application of cannabis, there are many anecdotal success stories. Some cannabis brands, like Foria and Sweet Grass Kitchen, are even making products specifically for menstrual cramps. Typically delivered via vaginal suppository (now there’s cannabis product category that didn’t exist a few years ago) or via an edible, many women now swear by cannabis to help combat the ill effects of their monthly visitor.

Menopause is a life-changing event that can wreak havoc on a woman’s body for a year or more. Mood swings, hot flashes, pain, low libido, fatigue, weight gain, osteoporosis, insomnia; it’s a long list of difficult symptoms that can cause anxiety and/or depression in some women. To combat these symptoms and make life more bearable while the body re-adjusts to its new homeostasis, many women are turning to cannabis for relief.

The opioid epidemic continues to ravage our country, but the mortality rates are actually growing disproportionately for women. (From 1999 to 2016 mortality rates for opioid overdose increased 321% for men and 507% for women.) Data also tells us that women transition from casual use to addiction faster than men, and are less likely to enroll in substance abuse treatment programs.

Thankfully, many women are now looking for alternatives to opioid-based painkillers and other pharmaceuticals that have highly addictive properties. Like most research around medical cannabis, the science surrounding the use of cannabis as an alternative for opioids is in its infancy. Still, it’s promising enough that Colorado recently allowed physicians the option to recommend medical marijuana instead of opioids for pain relief or post-operative pain.

It’s easy to get in the habit of drinking wine or a cocktail in the evening. But as women age, casual habits can develop into more significant problems of alcoholism or worse. Recent news articles have suggested that more and more women are swapping out their evening rosé for a rose gold vape pen. You’ll find more information on this important topic in a dedicated section of the guide below.

Stress reduction has been a common motivator for cannabis users for many years. Science has recently begun exploring its effectiveness. A 2018 study from Washington State University is thought to be one of the first that breaks down these results by gender. Their findings suggest that while using inhaled cannabis significantly reduced ratings of depression, anxiety, and stress, women reported larger reductions than men. (Could it be that women are generally under more stress than men? We’d believe it!)

Cannabis-derived sexual health products are a big topic. Cannabis lubes, tinctures, intimate massage gels, anal suppositories and vaginal suppositories promise more satisfying sex, stronger orgasms, and easier arousal. Then, of course, are the other cannabis products (smokable flower, vapes, etc) that aren’t necessarily marketed or packaged for female sexual health. What does the science tell us? A 2018 study looked into the impact of cannabis use specifically on women. Its findings have yet to be duplicated, and it was a relatively small sample size. However, it does provide support for the claims that cannabis use can improve the sex life of some female users.

Author of the study Dr, Becky K. Lynn writes, “The question of how marijuana leads to these positive changes in sexual function is unknown. It has been postulated that it leads to improvement in sexual function simply by lowering stress and anxiety. It may slow the temporal perception of time and prolong the feelings of pleasurable sensations. It may lower sexual inhibitions and increase confidence and a willingness to experiment. Marijuana is also known to heighten sensations such as touch, smell, sight, taste, and hearing.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that, “the more difficult and unpredictable the task, the more likely marijuana will impair mental and motor performance.” So while it might not be a good idea to use cannabis before going for a personal record on the squat rack, many cannabis users choose to consume before exercise.

Some describe it as a way to help “get in the zone” or “out of your own head” and report that it allows them to power through difficult or strenuous moments. That’s especially true for repeated, monotonous movements experienced by runners, for example. The cannabis may allow their minds to wander rather than focusing on the difficult activity. In that way, cannabis may mimic the “runners high” that runners often describe. Believe it or not, cannabis use prior to workout may actually be motivational for some women. Users that consume before (or shortly after) a workout report getting an average of 43 minutes more exercise per week compared to cannabis users that do not mix cannabis with their fitness routines.

If fitness is an important part of your life, then you likely already take vitamins and supplements to help with recovery. Many women are now choosing to include cannabis in their post-workout recovery regimen. It makes sense; cannabis can help your muscles relax, reduce inflammation in joints that have taken a beating from a difficult workout, and improve restful sleep, (which is when most of your body’s recovery occurs already). There’s a variety of products available specifically for this purpose, like topical creams and patches that can be applied directly to sore muscles. Or if you like a good, relaxing soak in the tub, try a cannabis infused bath bomb. Don’t worry, you won’t end up smelling like weed! If you choose to incorporate cannabis into your post-workout recovery, we’d recommend using a product that is high in CBD compared to THC, or at least balanced between the two compounds. CBD is believed to be the compound responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis.

One of the trendiest associations between cannabis and fitness is that of “elevated” exercise, specifically yoga. Cannabis yoga classes can be found in virtually every legalized market. According to instructor Amanda Hitz at Bend & Blaze Yoga in Denver, “it allows you to kind of quiet the chatter in your mind, which is a big part of yoga.” There’s even an organization that trains and certifies yoga instructors to teach “Ganja Yoga.” Does that seem over-the-top? Not when you consider that goat yoga is actually a thing that exists. Sooooo….