Medical marijuana is legal in the State of Ohio, and there are currently over 320,000 card holders in the state! Marijuana for medicinal purposes is not a new idea. In fact, cannabis has been used for thousands of years for a variety of conditions.
In Ohio, you can purchase just about any type of marijuana including flower, tinctures, concentrates, and more. There are many different delivery methods one can use to administer the medicine.
In this blog, we will talk about bioavailability and if it is affected by delivery methods.
What Is Bioavailability?
The medicinal and therapeutic benefits of cannabis come purely from their cannabinoids. Bioavailability is basically the rate of absorption into a person’s bloodstream. In other words, for the cannabinoids to do their thing, users must deliver the cannabis with a method that allows the cannabinoids to be absorbed easily.
Medical marijuana card holders in Ohio can administer their medicine in a variety of ways including vaping, taking edibles, and using lotions or patches. Our bodies can only absorb a fraction of the nutrients and cannabinoids that marijuana provides us with.
There are many factors that would account for differing bioavailability for marijuana including:
Composition
Digestive health
Formulation
Other substances in the body
Blood flow
However, the delivery method is the most important factor which determines the bioavailability of marijuana.
How Delivery Methods Affect Bioavailability
As previously mentioned, there are many ways a person can deliver cannabis into their bloodstream. The sublingual method involves placing drops of cannabis liquid under the tongue, which is then absorbed through the tongue into the bloodstream.
The sublingual method bypasses the digestive system entirely, so the cannabis is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Studies show that cannabis bioavailability using sublingual methods is around 75%, which is relatively high.
Inhalation is a popular method for cannabis consumption too. Smoking and vaping are both considered inhalation methods. Clinical studies say that the bioavailability of vaping could be anywhere from 2-56%.
Topical administration of cannabis would be anything that is applied directly to the skin including patches, creams, lotions, and more. Unfortunately, there is not enough research yet on the bioavailability of topical marijuana administration.
Many people also choose to consume their cannabis in edible form. This delivery method offers a lower bioavailability since the medicine must pass through the digestive system before the marijuana enters the bloodstream.
Can I Increase THC Bioavailability?
There are a few ways to increase the bioavailability of your medicine. First of all, adding THC infused oils into your cooking can increase bioavailability. Also, certain foods can increase bioavailability, including:
Meats
Seafood
Dairy
Fruit
Vegetables
So, consuming marijuana with any of these products may increase the bioavailability of your medicine. Overall, sublingual methods offer the most bioavailability for marijuana products.
Try Medical Marijuana Today
Cannabis is legal for medical use in the State of Ohio, and hundreds of thousands of people are already reaping the benefits. If you think you may benefit from medical marijuana, there is a big chance that you would qualify for your medical card!
You need your medical card to access any of Ohio’s medical dispensaries. Not to worry, because it is now easier than ever to get your card with Ohio Marijuana Card! Telemedicine makes it easy for you to get approved from the comfort of your own home!
In Ohio, there are many conditions that may make you eligible for medical marijuana, and we hope the program continues to expand by adding more conditions soon! If you have questions about whether you qualify, we can help with that too!
In order to visit a dispensary in the State of Ohio, you will need your medical marijuana card. With telemedicine, you can even get your card from the comfort of your own home!
If you don’t already have your card, we can help! You can even have your appointment from the comfort of your own home and get your recommendation on the same day! Schedule an appointment with one of our physicians today to see if you qualify.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Ohio Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.