Types of Medical Marijuana Treatments

If you qualify for medical marijuana in Florida, the available High-THC products that can be purchased are concentrates, tinctures (sublingual), oral route (capsules and edibles), suppository, topicals (creams), and smokable flower. There is not a one-size-fits-all treatment that works best for everyone in every situation. During our consultation appointment, we’ll go over these different forms and what may be the best fit for you.

Here is a rundown of what type of medical marijuana products are available.

Vapes (Concentrates, oils)

Cannabis vapes (or vaporizers) are electronic devices that heats THC concentrate, which turns it into a vapor to be inhaled. Vapor can be inhaled from marijuana flower or cannabis concentrates.

A vape cartridge is made up of a mouthpiece, a chamber (where the THC concentrate goes), a heating element, and a battery.

Vaping cannabis concentrates is a popular delivery method that offers

Ease of Use
Increased Potency – because it’s a concentrate, there is a high level of THC in vapes.
Discrete
Less Harmful to Lungs

While using refilling vape cartridges is more economical, refillable cartridges are not recommended – using them may quickly increase your tolerance.

What is the medical marijuana limit for inhalation (vape)?
Daily Dose Amount: 350mg THC
70-Day Supply Limit: 24,500mg THC

READ MORE: The Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) updated the regulations regarding patient daily allotment and dosing for all treatments. Click here for a breakdown of the changes and what they mean for you.

Tinctures (Sublingual)

“The words ‘tincture’ and ‘sublingual cannabis’ are often used interchangeably. The word ‘tincture’ refers broadly to a substance that contains a diluted extract, often of medicinal value. The phrase ‘sublingual cannabis’ refers specifically to a cannabis-based substance that’s consumed by placement under the tongue.” Fluent

Tinctures are precise and have a fast absorption rate. Measuring for proper dosage is often easier with a sublingual product, like a tincture, because they come with easy-to-read dosage information.

Read more about sublingual cannabis from Fluent here.

What is the medical marijuana limit for sublingual tinctures?
Daily Dose Amount: 190mg THC
70-Day Supply Limit: 13,300mg THC

Oral Route (Capsules and Edibles)

The oral route of consuming medical marijuana includes any cannabis product that is swallowed and ingested through the stomach, which includes capsules and edibles. Oral delivery methods are powerful, and have long-lasting effects, but patients new to medical cannabis need to know that obtaining the correct dosage may require some experimentation as everyone’s metabolism is different. With the oral route it is best to take the low and slow approach.

Patients with gallbladder issues, or no gallbladder at all, may find difficulty with oral cannabis products.

Cannabis Capsules
“Cannabis capsules are made in a similar way to other supplements that come in pill form. Manufacturers fill digestible capsules with either ground cannabis flower, powdered substance, distillate, or a type of cannabis oil.” VidaCann

Many patients prefer capsules for the discrete method of use, simply swallowing a pill.

READ MORE: In Florida, you are prohibited from using high-THC medication in public or while on public transportation. Yes, you can carry, or possess, in public as long as you do not use it. Read more about Florida’s medical marijuana laws here.

What is the medical marijuana limit for capsules?
Daily Dose Amount: 200mg THC
70-Day Supply Limit: 14,000mg THC

Edibles

Edibles became Florida-legal in 2020.

Like other oral consumption routes, edibles may be more potent than inhaled forms of medication, but the effects are not as immediate. There are the classic chocolates, as well as gummies, cookies, candies and even drinks.

What is the medical marijuana limit for edibles?
Daily Dose Amount: 60mg THC
70-Day Supply Limit: 4,200mg THC

Suppository

Out of all the ways to consume medical cannabis, suppositories may be the least used. If you are unfamiliar with suppositories, they are cone-, or bullet-shaped doses of medicine inserted into the rectum. Once inserted, it dissolves (or melts), releasing the THC, or CBD (or combination of both) into the body.

This method of consumption does work faster than others.

What is the medical marijuana limit for suppositories?
Daily Dose Amount: 195mg THC
70-Day Supply Limit: 13,650mg THC

Topicals (creams)

Cannabis (marijuana) topicals are creams, lotions, oils, and balms infused with cannabis to be applied to the skin. Topicals target relief at a specific site when rubbed into the skin, and offer quick relief from pain. Using this consumption method, THC is applied to the skin; it does not enter the bloodstream.

Topicals are ideal for relieving pain. THC, and CBD, binds to the CB2 receptors on the skin’s surface where an almost immediate reaction is stimulated, and because the THC does not reach your bloodstream, the psychoactive effect (that “high” feeling) is not as strong.

What is the medical marijuana limit for topicals?
Daily Dose Amount: 150mg THC
70-Day Supply Limit: 10,500mg THC

Flower – Smokable Marijuana

“Flower” is the smokable part of the cannabis plant and is a popular delivery method.

Under Florida law, patients (and caregivers) are eligible to purchase a maximum of 2.5 ounces of smokable flower in a 35-day period. Previously, that 35-day period was pre-defined. But with this update (from April 2022), the registry started using a rolling period based on purchases.

Think of this rolling limit for smokable cannabis like other medications that are filled at a pharmacy. If you have a prescription for a 35-day supply of medicine, the pharmacist will fill that order, and you’ll be unable to refill that prescription for 35 days. The rolling limit for smokable cannabis is similar and made for similar reasons, to try to prevent misuse.

READ MORE: Qualifying for Medical Marijuana