Cannabis consumption: the ultimate guide to consumption, laws & much more

A lot has happened around the topic of cannabis in recent years. Whether through increasing legalisation in various countries or the growing interest in its versatile uses – cannabis is no longer a niche subject. But with wide availability, the questions grow too: How is cannabis consumed correctly? Which products and methods are especially gentle? And what does the law say about it?

This comprehensive guide provides all the important information about cannabis consumption, from making cannabutter to cleaning a grinder properly. Whether it's about the perfect tip or using a THC vape – here you'll find answers to numerous questions. In addition, there are helpful instructions and useful tips to get the most out of your cannabis experience. The topic of medical cannabis is not left out either.

On top of that, every section has a detailed blog post with plenty of further information. Dive in and discover everything worth knowing about cannabis consumption!

How does vaporising cannabis differ from smoking?

One of the most common questions that comes up when consuming cannabis is: should cannabis be smoked or vaporised? When vaporising, for example with a vaporizer, the cannabis is heated without being burned. This means the active compounds – especially THC – are released without producing harmful substances such as tar and carbon monoxide, which are an unavoidable by-product of conventional smoking. The combustion process that occurs when smoking produces considerably more harmful by-products that put a strain on the airways.

Vaporising is therefore considered a gentler method, as the vapour contains substantially fewer harmful substances. Another advantage: efficiency is usually higher when vaporising, as the cannabinoids are released more effectively. But here too, the right technique matters. The choice of vaporizer and the correct temperature setting play a central role in getting the most out of the cannabis. Anyone who chooses temperatures that are too high, for instance, risks destroying the active ingredients instead of gently extracting them.

Vaporising is particularly interesting for people who want to opt for a gentler method of consumption or who want to avoid the smell of smoke. But it's also a matter of personal taste – some prefer the classic joint because the ritual of smoking is part of it for them.

If you'd like to delve deeper into the topic, the article Vaporising cannabis: how to vaporise properly with a vaporizer and more offers further information, helpful tips and recommendations for perfecting vaporising.

For an even easier and more pleasant smoking experience, we recommend our activated carbon filters from Medusafilters. These reduce potential pollutants in the smoke and offer a clean alternative.

If you need even more information about making and using tips, feel free to check out our blog post on the subject: Making a tip: advice, tricks and alternatives for your perfect joint.

How do you build your own bong?

A homemade bong can be a creative and rewarding experience when it comes to consuming cannabis, and it offers the chance to shape the smoking experience to your own taste. To build a bong, all you need are a few everyday materials.

What do you need?

• A water bottle: It serves as the main body of your bong and should be sturdy enough to hold the water.
• A downstem: A metal or glass tube that acts as the smoke channel.
• Water: For filtering and cooling the smoke.
• A mouthpiece: This can be another tube or improvised materials, depending on your preference.

Benefits of smoking a bong:

• Water filtration: The bong filters the smoke through the water, which can help reduce unwanted pollutants and make smoking more pleasant.
• Cooling the smoke: The water cools the smoke, which makes inhaling gentler and can reduce the urge to cough.
• Bigger hits: Bongs allow larger hits, which can be beneficial for experienced consumers looking for a more intense effect.

Building a bong is a creative way to personalise your smoking experience. For detailed instructions with a step-by-step process and lots of further information, feel free to visit our dedicated blog post: Building a bong made easy: a step-by-step guide.

How do you boil a grinder properly?

Regularly cleaning your grinder is crucial for preserving the quality of the cannabis and its full flavour. A particularly thorough method is boiling the grinder to completely remove stubborn residues such as resin and plant matter.

First, you should take the grinder apart into its individual pieces – typically the lid, chamber and collection compartment. Use a small brush or a dry cloth to remove the coarsest residues. A ceramic grinder is especially handy, like the one from Medusafilters, as its smooth surface allows less material to stick, which makes cleaning considerably easier.

Next, heat water in a pot and bring it to a boil. The grinder parts should stay in the boiling water for about 10-15 minutes to dissolve the sticky residues. Make sure no electrical components end up in the pot. After boiling, carefully remove the parts, let them cool and rinse them under clean water to remove any last residues.

Make sure all parts are completely dry before you reassemble the grinder. This prevents moisture from affecting the cannabis. Regular cleaning ensures a more pleasant smoking experience and extends the lifespan of your grinder.

For more detailed instructions and further tips, take a look at our dedicated blog article: Boiling a grinder: how to get your grinder clean again.

How does a hotbox work?

The hotbox is a popular method for making smoking cannabis a particularly intense experience. This technique uses an enclosed space in which the smoke or vapour of cannabis is concentrated. This creates an increased density of cannabinoids in the air, which can lead to a stronger high that sets in faster. To do a hotbox, all you need is a few basic materials and a suitable environment.

The most important elements of a hotbox include a working smoke source, such as a bong or a joint, and an enclosed space, such as a car or a small room. The idea is that users go into this space and start smoking while all windows and doors stay closed. This ensures that the smoke stays in the room and spreads quickly.

Another advantage of the hotbox technique is that it can offer a sociable experience. Smoking together in an enclosed space can relax the atmosphere and deepen the shared experience. Nevertheless, it's important to look after your own health when doing a hotbox. Anyone who wants to take it a little gentler can also fall back on alternative methods such as vaporising.

Would you like to learn more about the hotbox technique and how to do smoking in an enclosed space perfectly? Then read through our blog post: Hotbox: the guide to the perfect smoking experience in your room.

What is a THC vape?

A THC vape is a device developed specifically for vaporising cannabis oils or flower. Compared to traditional smoking, vaping offers numerous advantages that are convincing more and more users. A THC vape heats the material to a temperature high enough to release the cannabinoids and terpenes without producing harmful combustion products. This makes vaping a less harmful option for consuming cannabis. Beyond that, there are further advantages:

Variety of products: THC vapes come in various forms, from portable pens to larger devices. This variety allows users to choose the product best suited to them.

Less odour: Vaping produces considerably less smell compared to smoking. This is especially beneficial for users who prefer discretion or want to consume in shared spaces.

Efficiency: Vaping can offer higher efficiency when consuming cannabinoids. Users often report a stronger effect with less product, which can make it a cost-effective option.

Conditioning the vapour: THC vapes offer the ability to control the temperature precisely, which helps bring out the taste and aromas of the cannabis better. This leads to a more pleasant and richer experience for the user.

If you'd like to learn more about the different types of THC vapes and how to use them, you'll find plenty of information and tips in our blog post: THC vape explained: why it's so popular and what you should look out for.

How is cannabutter made?

Cannabutter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in numerous recipes to incorporate the active compounds of cannabis into delicious and effective treats. Making cannabutter is easy for beginners and advanced users alike and offers plenty of ways to consume cannabis in a creative manner.

The first step in making cannabutter is preparing the cannabis. This includes decarboxylation, a process that ensures the psychoactive ingredients are activated. This is done by heating the cannabis in the oven at a low temperature, which converts the THCA into THC. This procedure is crucial, as it significantly increases the potency of the end product.

After decarboxylation, the cannabis is combined with unsalted butter and melted over low heat. It's important to let the mixture simmer gently for several hours so that the cannabinoids can transfer into the butter. Gentle simmering ensures that the aromas and active compounds are extracted optimally, without the butter burning or losing its quality.

The final step is to strain the mixture to remove the plant material and obtain the finished cannabutter. This butter can then be used in a wide range of recipes, from tasty cookies to savoury dishes.

For detailed instructions and further tips on making cannabutter, visit our blog post: Cannabis butter: a guide to making cannabutter for beginners & advanced users.

How are hash cookies made?

Hash cookies too are a tasty way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis. Preparation begins with choosing a cannabis base, often in the form of flower, hashish or cannabutter. First, the chosen material is finely ground or the cannabutter is prepared to release the active ingredients.

To make the cookies, classic ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs and vanilla sugar are mixed with the cannabis base. It's important to combine the ingredients thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of the cannabinoids. The mixture is then placed on a baking tray and baked at a moderate temperature, taking care not to leave the cookies in the oven too long in order to preserve their potency.

What's special about hash cookies is that the effect sets in more slowly but lasts longer, which makes them a popular choice for many cannabis consumers.

For further details on preparation, including a recipe and dosage guidance, our blog post about hash cookies is recommended: Hash cookies: a comprehensive guide to preparation, dosage and effect.

How is hash tea made?

Hash tea is a soothing and aromatic way to consume cannabis. Preparation is easy and suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. To make hash tea, you first need high-quality hashish or cannabis flower, which should be coarsely broken up beforehand to release the aromas and active compounds.

The first step is to combine the crushed material with hot water or a mixture of water and a fatty source such as butter, coconut oil or cream. These fat sources are particularly beneficial, as they absorb the soluble cannabinoids better and make the tea creamier and more flavourful.

Once the mixture has been set up, the tea should steep for a few minutes, stirring it regularly to distribute the ingredients evenly. The tea can then be poured through a fine sieve or a coffee filter to remove the plant material. The result is a calming tea that is valued not only for its taste but also for its relaxing effect.

For detailed instructions on preparing hash tea as well as tips on dosage, feel free to take a look at our blog post: Hash tea: how making cannabis tea is made easy.

What makes hemp balm so special?

Hemp balm is enjoying growing popularity and stands out for its unique properties and ingredients. This balm is made from hemp extracts that are rich in cannabinoids, especially CBD, and offers numerous benefits for skincare and general well-being:

Main components: Hemp balm contains hemp oil, which is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids support the skin's hydration and can reduce inflammation. In addition, the cannabinoids contained in hemp have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Possible uses: Hemp balm can help with various skin problems, including dry skin, eczema, acne and muscle tension. Its soothing properties make it a versatile care product.

Application: Application is straightforward: the balm is simply applied to the affected areas of skin and can be used several times a day as needed. It's important to massage the balm in gently to promote blood circulation and intensify the effect.

Advantages compared to other products: Unlike conventional skincare products, hemp balm contains natural ingredients without harmful chemicals. This makes it a good choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

For detailed information about making and using hemp balm as well as further tips and tricks, feel free to visit our in-depth guide: Hemp balm explained: what makes the balm made from hemp so special?.

What is a cannabis sommelier?

A cannabis sommelier is an expert who specialises in the sensory qualities, quality and use of cannabis. Similar to wine sommeliers, it's about evaluating different cannabis products, understanding the various strains and recommending their optimal use. These experts possess comprehensive knowledge of the different cannabis strains, their aromas, active compounds and the ways in which they can be consumed.

A cannabis sommelier has the ability to identify the various terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis and to explain their influence on the experience and the effect of consumption. This covers both the flavour-related and the health-related aspects. Through their expertise, they can help consumers choose the strain or product best suited to their needs.

Training to become a cannabis sommelier often includes instruction on cultivation, processing, legal regulations and the history of cannabis. Through this training, they are able to give well-founded recommendations and to optimise the consumption of cannabis for both recreational and medical purposes.

To learn more about the role and training of cannabis sommeliers as well as their importance for the industry, feel free to click through our blog post: Cannabis sommelier: training, tasks and importance of the cannabis experts.

What is medical cannabis?

Medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabis strains and products to treat health complaints and illnesses. It is mainly used to relieve symptoms, reduce pain and improve patients' quality of life. Both flower and extracts in the form of oils, tinctures and capsules are used for this.

The active compounds in cannabis, above all THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), act on the body's endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating many physiological processes, including pain perception, mood and appetite. THC has psychoactive properties and can help with pain relief and relaxation, while CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and anxiety-relieving properties, but has no intoxicating effect.

Medical cannabis is usually prescribed by specialist doctors who take the individual needs and health conditions of patients into account. In many countries there are legal regulations governing access to medical cannabis to ensure that it is used responsibly.

Would you like to learn even more about the topic of using, prescribing and the benefits of medical cannabis? Then take a look at our dedicated blog post: Medical cannabis: everything you need to know about medical cannabis on prescription.