Cannabis Dosage Forms: Beware of these Key Differences After Medical Cannabis Training

The reputation of cannabis as a therapeutic pain reliever has made it a popular treatment option for individuals with a variety of ailments aiming to reduce their discomfort. However, the form and amount of the dosage is an important factor that is rarely considered and something individuals curious about cannabis management and quality should be aware of.

The dosage form of the drug can make a big difference in how the medicinal ingredients are affected and transported. It is important that the therapeutic factors remain consistent during intake and the proper dosage form is administered.

Here is some information on each dosage form that is important for students to know when entering a medical cannabis program.

Differences Between Inhalation Forms of Cannabis Intake

There are different forms of cannabis intake that induce a different affect on the body. How each dosage form will enter the body and be absorbed is based on certain pathways, or more specifically, routes of administration.

Students in medical cannabis training will be introduced to the inhalation dosage form and how its intake primarily affects the lungs. These forms are known as smoking or vaporizing. Smoking is the most common method of consuming cannabis and the form that allows patients to feel its effects more quickly. Tools used for smoking include pipes, joints, or water pipes. Vaporizing, another form of inhalation, is a more cautious dosage form as the cannabis is slowly heated, rather than burned, to the point where vapour is produced, diminishing the health risks posed.

Other Dosage Forms Students Learn About in a Medical Cannabis Certification Program

Another way of administering medical cannabis is orally through edible and capsule dosage forms. For patients experiencing severe and prolonged pain, oral consumption is recommended due to the effects induced on the body as a whole. The effects from edibles and capsules can take approximately twenty minutes to an hour to be felt and can last around four hours or more.

It is important to consider other dosage forms and the conditions they each provide

Students in a medical cannabis certification program will learn about a third dosage form known as transdermal dosage. This route of administration is done through the skin and is applied by a patch or gel that delivers the drug into the circulation at a controlled rate. There are advantages with transdermal intake, as the dose is pre-loaded and administered over an established time. It is also easy to use, hidden from view, and poses no odour to you or others around you.

What Amount to use in Different Dosage Forms

When taking medical cannabis, the dosage recommended for individuals is based on the type and severity of their condition, their prior experience with cannabis, and the form in which they choose to consume the drug.

Information learned within programs is vital for career success

A compilation of surveys and short-term clinical studies found the daily doses consumed by individuals to be an average of approximately 1 to 3 grams per day in both inhalation and oral intake forms. Of course, taking the proper precautions is a must when it comes to medical cannabis. It is important to familiarize yourself with the information required before working with or becoming involved with the medicinal drug.

Are you interested in medical cannabis certification training?

Contact the Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) to learn more about our programs.