Storing medical cannabis
When purchasing cannabis flower at a pharmacy, ask for a personalized invoice – in case of an inspection, you will have proof of purchase and avoid potential issues with authorities/police.
Store the cannabis flower in the packaging in which it was dispensed (sometimes this is the original packaging, and sometimes the pharmacist will transfer it to a different pharmacy container).
Store the cannabis flower at room temperature or lower, in a place inaccessible to children, away from sunlight and heat sources (for example, not on a radiator).
When preparing cannabis flower for vaporization, choose a bud from the package (a bud, meaning one “flower”). If it is large (over 2 cm), you can split or tear it in half and place part of it in the grinder and grind it.
Select the appropriate grind consistency. Remove the top lid of the grinder and place the cannabis buds on the teeth. Make sure you do not place the cannabis in the center of the chamber.
Place the grinder lid onto the cannabis in the chamber and slowly turn it clockwise while applying light pressure. After grinding, the flower should resemble a mixture of dried herbs more than sand.
Opening the grinder chamber. After grinding, gently unscrew the grinder lid.
Be careful, as some of the flower may stick to the grinder lid.
Place the ground flower into the vaporizer chamber. Each vaporizer may have a chamber of different capacity, but it is usually 0.1 or 0.2 grams. If the vaporizer comes with dosing capsules (small, round metal capsules with holes), fill such a capsule with the flower and place it in the vaporizer chamber.
One load of cannabis may last for several heating cycles, so check the color of the flower in the vaporizer chamber between sessions. If it is dark brown or black and resembles tobacco, it is no longer suitable for vaporization and should be thrown away.
Close the vaporizer chamber and turn it on, then set the vaporization temperature. If this is your first time vaporizing, start with a low temperature – for example, 160°C. It is recommended to begin at the lowest temperature and increase it slowly until you find the setting that provides the amount, flavor, and vapor potency that suits you best. Vaporization can be done at different temperatures, usually within the range of 157°C–220°C. The best therapeutic effect, while minimizing side effects, can be achieved using a method called “vapour stepping,” which means starting at a low temperature (around 160°C) and gradually increasing it until the therapeutic effect is achieved, for example: first and second inhalation – 160°C, third and fourth inhalation – 170°C, fifth and sixth inhalation – 180°C. Alternatively: first inhalation – 160°C, second inhalation – 165°C, third – 170°C, and so on. This method may increase the total amount of compounds inhaled from the flower, because some of them, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, have very low boiling points and may be destroyed at the highest temperature setting.
Note: CBD usually turns into vapor at a higher temperature than THC.
The flame of a standard lighter reaches nearly 2000°C, while the boiling temperature of the medicinal compounds in cannabis is around 120–220°C. Using fire to heat cannabis leads to combustion, meaning the loss of at least 50% of its medicinal compounds and the inhalation of carcinogenic substances, burnt plant material, and tar. Vaporizers make it possible to avoid this. Cannabis is heated only above the boiling point of its medicinal compounds and releases them as vapor, without burning the plant material. Thanks to this method, patients use less flower and make better use of the medicinal properties of the compounds contained in medical cannabis flowers.
If you are just starting therapy with medical cannabis, your first inhalation should take place in a calm atmosphere. It is recommended to begin with one inhalation, holding the vapor so that it reaches the lungs, and then wait at least 10–15 minutes to determine the effect. Over the course of several sessions, you will assess for yourself which dose and which vaporization temperature work best for you. Give yourself time and try vaporizing at different temperatures each day, while slowly increasing the duration of the session or the number of inhalations. The easiest way to assess the effects of therapy will be based on the number of inhalations. Start with two, and with each subsequent vaporization increase by 1–2 inhalations until the therapeutic effect is achieved. Take 10–15 minute breaks during a single session and assess how you feel – it may turn out that 2–3 inhalations provide the expected effect and you do not need more. Do not rush to increase the dose – more does not mean better.
Note: stop inhalation if side effects occur
You have unlimited time to find the dose that works best for you. However, if anything worries you, or if after a few days you do not feel any difference or you feel worse, contact your attending physician.
At the beginning, record the times of vaporization, the number of inhalations, and the vaporization temperature in your patient diary. This will help your doctor adjust the therapy to your individual needs.
During vaporization, you inhale vapor containing cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other substances present in cannabis, and exhale vapor without the above-mentioned compounds. The vapor is usually clearly visible, especially at higher temperatures, and becomes weaker over time. When the vapor stops being produced, it means the session is over. Do not open the vaporizer immediately, as you may burn yourself. Wait several minutes and check the appearance of the flower – if it has turned brown, the flower in the chamber should be replaced with fresh material.
During the first weeks of vaporization, temporary but harmless side effects may occur.
Side effects caused by medical cannabis usually pass and are mild, and depend on the dose and the type of strain used, the patient’s individual sensitivity, genetic predisposition, and duration of use.
The most typical side effects are: dizziness, dry mouth, cough (during inhalation), feelings of anxiety, nausea, and impaired cognitive abilities.
When using medical cannabis with a higher THC content, these may include: mood changes, heart palpitations, a feeling of relaxation, spontaneous bursts of laughter, hunger and thirst, sensitivity to colors and music, drowsiness, impaired orientation in time and space, and dry mouth.
This is a sign that you should slow down and next time vaporize at a lower temperature or reduce the number of inhalations/shorten the session. Over time, patients develop tolerance to these effects.
After using the vaporizer for the first time, it is best to perform 1 or 2 heating cycles without any flower in the chamber in order to disinfect the device. Many vaporizer manuals come with cleaning instructions, and some include accessories intended for this purpose.
It is essential to strictly follow the maintenance guidelines provided with the vaporizer. Usually, the vaporizer should be cleaned once a week to remove resin and plant material in order to ensure the full-spectrum effect of medical cannabis.