Ways to use cannabis without smoking: alternatives and differences
Quick answer: the main ways of consuming marijuana besides smoking are vaping, eating (edibles and drinks), sublingual tinctures, concentrates and topical products. They differ a lot in how long they take to work and how long they last: vaping is felt within minutes and lasts 2–3 hours; an edible can take up to 2 hours and last 6–8. If you want to cut down on smoke, a vaporiser is the most direct alternative to the joint.
More and more members are asking us about alternatives to the traditional joint: to avoid mixing it with tobacco, to look after their lungs, or simply to try something different. In this guide, we look at all the different ways to consume it, how they feel, and what to bear in mind with each one.
Comparison table of consumption patterns
| Form | It’s starting to show | Approximate duration | Easy to measure out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint or pipe | 2–10 mins | 2–3 hours | Registration |
| Flower diffuser | 2–10 mins | 2–3 hours | Registration |
| Concentrates (dabs, rosin) | Immediate | 1–3 hours | Bass: very powerful |
| Groceries | 30 mins – 2 hours | 6–8 hours or more | Decline: the effect is delayed |
| Drinks | 20–60 mins | 4–6 hours | Media |
| Sublingual tincture | 15–45 mins | 4–6 hours | Registration (via drops) |
| Topical preparations (creams, balms) | Local | Local | No psychoactive effect |
These are just guidelines: every person and every product is different.
1. Smoking: joints, pipes and bongs
This is the best-known method and the one with the most immediate effect. The problem is combustion: the smoke contains tar and other irritants, and in Spain it is very common to mix with tobacco, which adds nicotine and dependence. If you smoke, doing it without tobacco is already a big change. To do it properly you should grind the weed evenly: we explain how in how to grind without a grinder.
2. Spray
The vaporiser heats the herb or extract without burning it, usually to between 170 and 210 °C, so that the cannabinoids and terpenes are released as vapour. Advantages: there is no smoke, the flavour is much cleaner and you get more out of the herb. At lower temperatures, the aromas are more pronounced and the effect is gentler; at higher temperatures, the effect is stronger and more relaxing.
This is the most natural alternative for anyone who smokes joints and wants to give up the smoke. You'll find more detail in our marijuana vaporiser guide.
3. Groceries
Brownies, biscuits, sweets, chocolate… When you eat cannabis, your liver converts the THC into a compound that produces a more intense and longer-lasting effect. That’s why edibles require patience: the most common mistake is to take more because «it’s not doing anything», only for both doses to kick in at once. Start with a very small amount and wait at least two hours.
If you are interested in cooking with cannabis, take a look at cannabis food and effects of ingested cannabis.
4. Drinks
Infusions, beers and other cannabis drinks. Those made with emulsions act somewhat faster than a solid edible. Be careful with mixes containing alcohol: they increase dizziness. You'll find more information in cannabis beer and cannabis alcohol.
5. Tinctures and sublingual oils
Extracts in oil or alcohol that are placed under the tongue with a dropper. Part is absorbed through the lining of the mouth and the effect arrives sooner than with an edible. They allow precise dosing drop by drop, which is why they are the usual way to take CBD. If you want to know more, read what CBD is and what it is used for.
6. Concentrates: dabs, rosin, wax
Extracts with a very high THC concentration that are vaporised at high temperature. The effect is immediate and very intense, so they are not for beginners. Some concentrates are obtained with solvents and others without, such as rosin, which is made using only heat and pressure. More information in cannabis concentrates with and without solvents.
7. Common topics
Creams, balms and oils that are applied to the skin. They do not enter the bloodstream in significant quantities, so they do not produce any psychoactive effects. They are mainly used to provide local relief and for skin care.
Which one should you choose, depending on what you’re looking for?
- I want to give up smoke but keep the experience: a flower vaporiser.
- I don't want to mix with tobacco: a pure-weed joint with a card filter, or a vaporiser.
- I want a long-lasting effect and don't mind waiting: edibles, starting with very low doses.
- I want to dose precisely: tinctures or a vaporiser.
- I have high tolerance and experience: concentrates, always in moderation.
Tips for any form of consumption
- Start with a small amount and wait before giving another portion, particularly with food and concentrates.
- Do not mix with alcohol during the same session.
- Do not drive after drinking.
- Keep the products out of the reach of children and pets.
- If you ever overdo it, follow the advice in our guide on getting over a whitey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the least harmful way to use cannabis?
Of the various methods of inhalation, vaporisation avoids combustion and is less irritating than smoking. Edibles and tinctures bypass the lungs, but require greater care with regard to dosage.
Does vaping get you less high than smoking?
Not necessarily. Many people find the effect is cleaner and clearer, but with the same amount of herb, a vapouriser tends to make better use of the cannabinoids.
Is it possible to use cannabis without smoking it in a club?
It depends on each association's rules. At The High Class you can ask at the club itself what options are available and how they work. If you are not a member yet, take a look at the requirements to join an association.
