As the popularity of cannabinoids like Delta 8 has grown, so have the ways to consume them. Now instead of only having to smoke flower, there are tons of ways to ingest cannabis. Cannabinoids can be concentrated into distillates for vaping, cooked into gummies and edibles, mixed into tinctures, and much more.
Although the cannabinoids are the same, how you consume them can change how they make you feel. Also, each method of ingesting cannabinoids has benefits and drawbacks. With all of the new ways one has to consume cannabis, it is essential to know which way is the best.
Although there is no one “best” way to consume cannabis, you may have your personal favorite way to enjoy t cannabis. While trying to find your favorite way to ingest cannabis, you should consider several criteria. Some people may be fine with the smell of burnt cannabis, whereas others need to avoid the smell. Others may wish to get high instantly, but others may like a slow rolling high. In this article, we will walk you through the benefits and drawbacks of each method of taking cannabis so you can decide which is best for you.
Smoking Cannabis
Ingesting cannabis by smoking is the oldest method of enjoying cannabis, and it is not going away anytime soon. Smoking is the most natural way to
consume cannabis, as you are burning the flower of the cannabis plant. Because of the raw consumption, you get additional natural chemicals that are harder to find in other means of ingesting cannabis. When you smoke, you consume a lot of terpenes and flavonoids. These natural chemicals encourage the entourage effect, which increases the intensity of your high. Also, smoking can be a very social way to use cannabis. Passing around a joint or bowl with your buddies is always a blast as you enjoy the cannabis high.
On the other hand, many people dislike the hassle of smoking cannabis. Smoking cannabis can be very smelly, making it difficult to do inside your home. Also, smoking cannabis takes a while to prepare. You have to buy a grinder and a piece to smoke, and it takes time to prepare. Furthermore, smoking cannabis is also harmful to your lungs. Although it is not as bad as smoking cigarettes, prolonged use can lead to lung issues.
Vaping Cannabis
One of the newest ways to consume cannabis is using a vape. A vape will heat cannabis resin or distillate (a sticky liquid substance) until it vaporizes into a gas, hence the name vape. Vapes are great because they are super easy to use. Many have a single button, and other vapes are buttonless. Vapes are small and discreet as well. Most vapes can fit in your pocket and look similar to nicotine vapes like JUULs. Also, vapes are practically scentless. If you do not want your car or home to smell like cannabis, vapes are great for use indoors.
Vapes also have some drawbacks. Just like smoking cannabis, vaping cannabis can result in lung injuries. Although the long-term usage of vapes is relatively unstudied, many acute injuries are caused by suspect vapes. The distillate that is put into vapes can be contaminated with harmful chemicals. Before buying a vape, you should ensure the seller is reputable. Also, vapes can occasionally break or get stuck. It can be frustrating when you have to suck on a vape to get any vapor, or if you know the vape is full but the battery has died.
Cannabis Edibles
The most approachable way to take cannabis is to eat a cannabis edible. If you have never smoked or vaped before, edibles are a great way to consume cannabis without using your lungs. Edibles have activated cannabis baked into cookies, brownies, and gummies. 
After you eat an edible, you will slowly start to get high until you peak around 1-2 hours later. For people interested in trying cannabis but do not want to smoke or vape, edibles are the ideal option.
Edibles also have some drawbacks. Edibles take a while to kick in, so if you are looking for an instant high, edibles will not work. Another issue with edibles is their inconsistency. Although many edibles claim to be a specific dosage, they can vary from gummy to gummy. If you have 20 gummies labeled as the same dosage, some gummies are likely more potent than others. Therefore, it is harder to control your dose with edibles than smoking or vaping cannabis.
Cannabis Tinctures
One of the least common ways to ingest cannabis is drinking a cannabis tincture. A tincture is a cannabis distillate mixed with an alcohol solution. These are kept in bottles, and the doses are parsed with a dropper. Tinctures are excellent for ensuring your dose is perfect and doing it quickly. 
You can fill up the dropper to the same spot every time to ensure you have a proper dose. Tinctures can also be mixed into water, or your favorite drinks, making them go down easier.
Since tinctures are ingested orally, they take a while to kick in, like edibles. So, if you are not willing to wait to get high, do not use tinctures. I mentioned earlier that tinctures were rare, which is not entirely true. You can find a ton of CBD tinctures, but that is not a psychoactive cannabinoid. Finding tinctures for psychoactive cannabinoids, like Delta 8 and HHC, is more challenging than finding gummies or a vape.
Conclusion
Overall, there is no one best way to consume cannabis. Those who want a discreet, instant high may find vapes as the best option; others who do not want to get their lungs involved, and enjoy a slow-burn high will love edibles. Personally, smoking cannabis is my favorite way. I like the social aspect, and the natural terpenes make my high feel different than any other method of ingestion. However, I still love the other ways I can consume cannabis. When I go out to see a movie, I will take a gummy before the movie so I can slowly get higher until the end of the film. When I am going out and want a discreet way to get my cannabis fix, I will bring along a small disposable vape. I may have found my favorite way to ingest cannabis, but I also realize that every method for consuming cannabis has its advantages. When you buy your next cannabis product, think about when you will use it, where you will use it, and who you will use it with to maximize your enjoyment.