New to Cannabis? Start Here.
As a cannabis coach, I help clients understand how cannabis works and how it can be used to reduce the challenges they are currently experiencing. Why? So they can get back to living the life they love.
For many clients, particularly those who are new to cannabis, this conversation is basically a walk-through of the endocannabinoid system, how cannabis functions in the body, and some of the key products to keep in mind.
With that, I wanted to share some of the fundamental information I share with my clients who are just getting started with cannabis. If you’re totally new to medical cannabis dosing and just need a quick reference point, this is a great post for you. Please feel free to share with anyone else in your community who is stepping through the medical cannabis journey.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. And so I invite you to continue to research the cannabis plant after reviewing this post and also consider speaking with your doctor about cannabis. However, I am a certified cannabis coach and a medical cannabis patient myself. In this post, and throughout Bud & Blossom, I’m committed to sharing the basic information people need to get started with cannabis. And sharing that - just like Dr. Bonni Golstein puts it - cannabis is a medicine.
Cannabis helped me heal from the inside out… and she may be able to help you, too.
Cannabis Action Plan
For Daytime
Consider purchasing a CBD-rich product that will allow you to treat your symptoms without getting high during the day. On a physiological level, CBD strengthens endocannabinoid tone, reduces the impact of stress and anxiety, and helps many patients achieve mental clarity and improved performance without intoxication.
CBD can be consumed through a liquid oil or tincture (this is usually the easiest way to get started). To start, hold a dose of tincture under the tongue for 30-60 seconds, 2-3 times per day. Start off the first week with a lower dose, just 2-3 drops 1-2 times per day. Build your dose from there until you feel optimal symptom relief.
There are many other ways to consume CBD, including flower, vapor, edibles, topicals, and more. When you visit the dispensary, ask them to show you their CBD products and from there, you can design your daytime cannabis regimen.
Additional Resources for building your daytime CBD regimen:
New to CBD and want to learn more about how it works? Check out my blog post, “So... What Does CBD Do, Exactly?”
For more on CBD dosing and the self-titration process, check out my free CBD guide, “CBD for Self-Healing”.
For Nighttime/Weekends
You can also incorporate products containing THC, the psychoactive component of the plant that’s helpful for pain and nausea, into your regimen for moments when you are able to be intoxicated.
When THC and CBD are taken together, you are able to experience what’s known as “the entourage effect” for full therapeutic relief. This can be as simple as taking a THC-rich oil with your regular dose of CBD, or incorporating THC edibles or THC flower or vapor into your routine.
Leveraging a product high in THC can also help you expand your mind or find deep relief and relaxation. For many, smoking or vaping THC-rich flower is a way to replace that evening glass of wine.
*Note on Terminology:
Above, I break down cannabis dosing into “daytime” and “nighttime/weekend” plans. This is a general framework that may not apply to everyone. Some people work the graveyard shift, for instance, meaning that they may want to opt for CBD during the nighttime hours. Other patients are disabled and unable to work at all, meaning that they do not have to manage their intoxication during daytime hours. I use the terms “daytime” and “nighttime/weekend” to help people design the most appropriate cannabis regimen for the various moments in their life. Because with cannabis dosing, consistency matters - but this doens’t mean we have to get high all of the time. It’s about applying the right products - with the right makeup and cannabinoid ratio - during the right moments to help us feel our best.
Considerations for Specific Ailments
For pain: Consider looking into a “balanced cannabinoid ratio” oil/tincture. Many patients report that this is the best cannabinoid formula for pain. This type of product will have equal parts CBD and THC (1:1 ratio of CBD:THC). If you say “I’m looking for a 1:1 tincture” to your budtender, they should know what you are asking for. Because there is a relatively high amount of THC in this type of product, it may cause some intoxication for you, so I would test it out at night to determine how it reacts with your body. Start low and slow with your dosing and gradually ramp up dose volume/frequency to find the “sweet spot” dose for you. CBG is another cannabinoid to look into for pain management (more information here). Finally, a cannabis topical containing CBD and THC applied to the skin can help reduce localized pain, as well.
For nausea: THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) can be a powerful tool for managing nausea because THC is an anti-emetic. This could look like vaping a THC-rich concentrate, smoking high-THC flower, or dosing a THC-rich tincture. If you ever get too high from THC, you can ingest your CBD oil to lessen the intoxication of THC.
For getting to sleep and staying asleep: Daily CBD intake can help support healthy sleep patterns, but many patients also decide to incorporate THC-rich products into their nighttime routine to help them ease into sleep each night. In particular, many people find success with THC edibles, which can provide up to 8 hours of relief. You can take one before bed and record how you feel in the morning (Did I sleep better? Do I feel better? Do I need more cannabis?). THC-rich tinctures are another popular option for sleep. Start with about 2.5 mg THC and build from there. You can also look for “indica-dominant” cannabis strains (to smoke or vape) for a calm and sedating experience.
For weight management: Many patients have found that cannabis helps them manage their weight. One option to look into is a strain that is "sativa-dominant". These strains of cannabis are known to be uplifting and can be a beneficial tool to get you feeling active and more comfortable with light movement (walks, cycling, working around the house). Additionally, you can look for cultivars high in THCV, which is a cannabinoid that has been found to reduce appetite for some patients.
For anxiety & depression: Many patients have found that medical cannabis can help to treat depression symptoms (in fact, both depression and anxiety have been linked to endocannabinoid deficiency). Daily CBD intake can do a lot to support the mitigation of anxiety and depression due to its balancing effects on the endocannabinoid system. You can also consume THC to mitigate anxiety and depression, but do note that you will want to balance your dose; THC has been noted to reduce anxiety at smaller doses but can actually increase anxiety at higher doses. If you do opt to smoke THC flower, consider strains that are high in “limonene” - this is a natural terpene found in many sativa cannabis strains that is a mood booster. It will likely be found in strains with a tropical/citrus strain name (ie: Grapefruit, Island Sweet Skunk, Super Lemon Haze, etc). Finally, look out for products containing CBG and CBDa; these novel cannabinoids have been noted to have positive results for patients with anxiety and depression.
For more on this topic, visit my blog posts, “CBG: A Promising Cannabinoid for Depression & Anxiety” and “Exploring Endocannabinoid Deficiency and Its Role in Anxiety”.
For chronic conditions: If you are navigating a severe or chronic condition, including cancer, brain tumors, or chronic pain, you may want to consider accessing the most potent cannabis medicine available: FECO (“full-extract cannabis oil”). FECO is the mother of all cannabis extracts and is one of the best products to reach for when managing chronic symptoms or even combatting chronic conditions.
For more information about FECO and where to source it, check out my blog, “FECO (Full-Extract Cannabis Oil): A Potent Pathway to Healing”
Keep These Tips in Mind
As you explore with cannabis, remember to go low and slow (especially when you take in THC, the intoxicating element of cannabis). If you ever get "too high", CBD can actually be consumed to lessen the high.
When it comes to dosing with cannabis, consistent dosing is the best approach for improving your endocannabinoid health (remember to reach for CBD during those times where you cannot be impaired, such as during the workday). Think of your cannabinoids like a vitamin that you take every day to keep you feeling your best. Administer the medicine throughout the day (ie: microdosing) as opposed to fewer, larger doses. Keeping a daily dosing journal can help track progress; record dates/times, doses administered, and symptom ratings as time progresses.
Remember that I am not a doctor! But you do deserve doctor supervision throughout this process. As such, I would consider speaking openly with your doctor about your intention to use cannabis to ease your symptoms. They can help you navigate possible drug interactions and carefully wean off of any pharmaceutical drugs, if that is your goal. Not all doctors are open to cannabis use, so do keep this in mind. If you’re not sure where your doctor stands with regard to medical cannabis, consider asking a few probing questions, ie: “What is your stance on medical cannabis?” or “What do you know about the endocannabinoid system?” From there, you can determine your plan of action.
Best of luck on your cannabis journey! As you navigate this path, remember to treat cannabis as an intentional tool. It will not solve everything, but it can lessen some of the burdens as you take the steps to improve your life and your health.
If you have any questions in the future, please keep me in mind. I offer individual cannabis coaching services to help people understand how cannabis works and the best ways to incorporate it into their lives. If you’re interested in working together, you can connect with me via my cannabis coaching page.