If it’s one great thing that the legal cannabis industry has done for the world, it’s educate on the myriad of ways that non-psychoactive cannabis can be used for health and wellbeing. Now, that doesn’t mean the legal cannabis industry hasn’t done any other great things; the cannabis legalization movement gave the public the freedom to use plant-derived cannabinoids. Now, that doesn’t mean the legal cannabis industry hasn’t done any other great things; the cannabis legalization movement gave the public the freedom to use plant-derived cannabinoids with an individual state-required, for example, a Pennsylvania or New York medical card. And, of course, the legalization movement also freed up a lot of time for police, who, to be honest, could be better spending their time than arresting cannabis users.
Anyway, the point is that both hemp and marijuana can be used for their non-psychoactive properties. So for those who are still skeptical about the intoxicating effects of THC, there exist a plethora of ways to get the benefits of cannabis even without being intoxicated.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a cannabis-friendly country and can grow your own cannabis, all the power to you. This makes the possibilities even greater.
So — to all the green juice and sprout lovers who are enthusiastic about their health but don’t care too much for being high: you’re about to learn some of the ways you can reap the rewards of cannabis without being stoned.
1. Isolated cannabinoids
The first, and perhaps the most obvious, way to use non-psychoactive cannabis is to opt for isolated cannabinoids. Thanks to the rapid technological advancement within the cannabis industry, we are now able to isolate single compounds from the cannabis plant. This includes the hundreds of non-psychoactive terpenes and cannabinoids.
CBD is the most abundant, non-psychoactive cannabinoid in hemp and marijuana. It is most often extracted from hemp, because hemp has naturally higher levels of CBD than marijuana. However, from time to time, CBD is also extracted from marijuana.
CBD is therapeutic in a multitude of different ways (a short Google search will reveal hundreds) and of course, it doesn’t have the psychoactive effects of THC. It can be consumed as CBD oil, CBD edibles, topical treatments or simply as CBD isolate.
2. Keep it localized (don’t ingest)
The next way is to use topical cannabis. Even cannabis rich in THC can be transformed into a non-intoxicating cannabis lotion. Many athletes, and even those with rheumatoid arthritis, are beginning to brag about the effects that topical cannabis has for sore muscles and inflammation.
In fact, there are cannabinoid receptors all over the skin. When cannabis is applied topically to the skin, it can mediate pain, make skin healthier and decrease inflammation locally.
3. Juice raw cannabis
If you can home-grow cannabis in your country, then juicing it is the best way to get cannabinoids into the body. Interestingly, THC ingested in its raw form is non-psychoactive. This is because, in raw cannabis, it exists in its acidic form, THC-A. It is converted to THC as part of a degenerative process of the molecule, specifically when it is exposed to heat. This process is called decarboxylation. Cannabis is decarboxylated before making edibles to make it psychoactive, or otherwise, it happens in a pipe or joint when somebody puts the lighter on it!
So then, taking cannabis fresh off the plant and into the juicer does not elicit any psychoactive effects. On top of this, cannabinoids in their acidic form are much better absorbed by the body, and therefore bioavailability is greater.
4. Liquid terpenes!
Cannabis isn’t just cannabinoids, although they are the molecules specific to cannabis. A single cannabis specimen can contain over 400 different compounds. These include cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes are the molecules responsible for giving cannabis its characteristic smell and they have remedial properties of their own.
In fact, the entire discipline of aromatherapy is based in the therapeutic effects of terpenes. They are the essential oils of a plant. And as far as we know, they are non-psychoactive — although their varying qualities do contribute to the overall effect of cannabis.
The application of extraction technology means that liquid terpenes are often produced as a byproduct of cannabinoid extraction. They are sometimes available for sale and can be used in a vaporizer or can be used to make other DIY things: lotions, perfumes and maybe even consumed in small doses. In countries like Canada for instance, cannabis is now legal, medically and recreationally. It is 100% easier now to find what you need. Especially if you have medical considerations. This cannabis dispensary available in all provinces helps give consultations to those who have specific requests.
5. Hempseed
When people praise cannabis for how versatile it is, they’re justified. Virtually every part of the hemp plant can be used for something, including the seeds (other than for planting). Hempseed is jam packed with all kinds of goodness, including being rich in protein beneficial fatty acids. It can be added to everything, too and has a delicious nutty flavor. It can be thrown in salads, mixed into juices or simply added to a nut mix.
Hempseed oil also has a number of applications. It can be applied to the skin or the hair, or can be used in cooking instead of other oils.
Cannabis is much more than just a piece of plant material to put in the end of a pipe. Long gone are the days where that was the only way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis. The legal cannabis industry has created so many ways for people to reap the rewards of cannabinoids that now, virtually anybody can use them!
