How to Use CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has become super popular. It’s like the exact opposite of public enemy number one. So...public friend number one? That sounds weird. Whatever, we’ll deal with that later.

For now, let’s focus on how you can actually use CBD. If you’re choosing to consume CBD, remember to start low and go slow. It can take a few tries to figure out the right amount for you, so it’s always better to be on the safe side.

Oh also: CBD doesn’t produce the intoxicating effects that THC does. That’s important to know.

Alright, enough small talk. Let’s get into it.

When should I use CBD?

That’s really not for us to say. It’s your body, so do what’s right for you. But if you’re trying CBD for the first time, make sure you do it in a calm environment around people you know. Even though CBD doesn’t produce the intoxicating effects that THC does, you should still make sure you’ve got enough time to ride out the duration of any possible effects. Your first time is special. Don’t rush it.

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, try to scope out a CBD-dominant dried flower with little-to-no THC. Luckily, we’ve got some pretty sweet CBD pre-rolls ready to go for you. It’s almost like we knew you’d want them.

Vaping or smoking CBD is the quickest way to feel the effects. It can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes for them to kick in, because the smoke or vapor is absorbed right into the bloodstream through the lungs.

You can get CBD softgels if you’re looking for a more modern way to consume. Think of softgels as something from a spy’s toolbelt. They’re discreet, they’re convenient, and they have a lot packed into a small package. Unfortunately, they won’t help you take over the world. But really, who wants to be in charge of a whole planet?

CBD softgels are filled with CBD extract and a carrier oil. They’re low maintenance, so you can pop them in your mouth without needing a syringe, pipe, bong, or any other accessory - all you need is water.

When you take a CBD softgel, it can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours for the effects to kick in. Ingested CBD isolate has to travel through your gut and liver before it’s processed. Hopefully it packed a neck pillow, because that’s definitely not a short trip.

CBD oil is made by taking CBD extract and adding it to a carrier oil, then putting it in a fancy little bottle with a syringe, dropper, or spray pump.

The benefits of CBD oil are convenience, convenience, and oh yeah, convenience. Each dropper of CBD oil provides approximately the same amount each time, so there’s little-to-no guesswork involved. Plus, the active compounds have already been decarboxylated (heated or “cooked” to release their beneficial effects, and make them ready for absorption), so you don’t have to heat it up. We weren’t kidding around when we said it was convenient.

Just be careful when you go to buy CBD oil, because sometimes people use the word “oil” as a synonym for CBD tinctures, and that’s not accurate. Unlike CBD oil, drops and tinctures can be made with harsh solvents like ethanol. Not ideal.

This method of consumption is also processed through your gut and liver (just like those softgels) so it’ll take about 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects. Maybe grab a nice book while you wait.

The most important thing to keep in mind with CBD confections is where you buy them. Make sure you’re only purchasing CBD confections (or any CBD product) from an authorized retailer. The stuff you find in the illicit market doesn’t go through the same testing, quality control, or health regulations that the stuff in the legal space does.

You also have the option of making your own edibles, either using CBD oil you’ve purchased or making your own cannabutter using a CBD-dominant strain. If you are going to use CBD oil to make an edible, try to heat it as little as possible. Since the oil is already decarboxylated, heating it up even more could actually harm the cannabinoids, and that’s not what you want.

With CBD edibles, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects. These effects can then last up to 12 hours (or in some cases even as long as 24).

Extract vapes are slowly making their way to the market as well. There are two kinds of extract vapes available: ready-to-use vapes and 510 vapes (which require a cartridge and a compatible battery). If you’re using an extract vape, the onset and duration of effects are the same as if you were smoking or vaping the flower. It can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes for them to kick in, because the smoke or vapor is absorbed right into the bloodstream through the lungs.

First off, don’t consume topicals. That’s rule #2. Rule #1 is to buy your topicals from an authorized retailer. Usually coming in the form of a cream that’s applied directly to your skin, CBD topicals can be used to nourish your skin, comfort and defend against everyday wear and tear, and soothe trouble spots. As of right now, there aren’t any guidelines about how long the effects of CBD topicals take to kick in. That information, as well as every other good thing, will come to those who wait.

• Take CBD in a comfortable environment if it’s your first time
• You can get CBD topicals 
• You can get CBD softgels
•  You can get CBD oil
• CBD confections edibles are here

Oh, and CBD pre-rolls and vapes are coming soon.

We should really learn how to write shorter lists.

REMEMBER: Even though CBD does not have the same effects as THC, it’s always important to start low and go slow when consuming hemp products.