Combating High THC Tolerance

by Lexi Boyd-Yzenski, Redmond inventory lead

Photo by David Gabrić.

Have you ever reached a point where you just aren't high after a session? Perhaps the classic joint no longer brings the ease of mind and satisfaction it used to.

This tends to happen to experienced cannabis users.

Our bodies have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that plays a part in why our tolerance hits a peak point, leaving us seemingly unable to reach the climatic highs we've always enjoyed. 

Fear not! No longer is a tolerance break the only option available to cannabis users -- thankfully, the cannabis industry has created multiple avenues to explore.

We can dive in and explore the wide world of delicious edibles, try a plethora of concentrates, and learn about the entourage effect of using CBD and THC together to have a more euphoric experience of being high. 

Take a tolerance break? No, thank you!

In the past, a simple tolerance break would easily have sufficed for the experienced cannabis user. For most of us, though, the idea of a break from our “take it all away -- make life good again” moments seems audacious, and yet consuming without the enjoyment of being in the clouds is already unfortunately happening.

Luckily, in today's market, there are several ways to consume and enjoy marijuana. 

Edibles

One of the most enjoyable ways to get high comes from consuming THC edibles. 

Make your own THC edibles

They're easy enough to make and provide the chef with the ability to decide how much THC is going into the edible. You could make them as light as a few mg of THC per serving, or you could also make edibles with 100+ mg of THC. 

Purchase ready-to-enjoy edibles and drinks

If you happen to not be crafty in the baking aspect, you could also purchase a wide variety of edibles at your local dispensary. Purchasing from a dispensary gives you the option to explore more than just solid edibles—we have THC infused drinks, too! 

With the creation of THC infused beverages, your favorite sports game can now be even more enjoyable. For Washington, these typically come in two sizes, with either 10mg or 100mg THC. For a more potent result, try a hash infused beverage, like the Moonshots from Constellation Cannabis. These hash infused beverages offer a pungent kickstart in getting baked.

THC concentrates

One of the most common and highly sought after methods to getting more high is to use concentrates. There's a variety within these options as well, such as RSO, vape cartridges, and wax. 

THC RSO

RSO, also known as Rick Simpson oil, was designed by Rick Simpson when he received a diagnosis of cancer. The story goes that Simpson created the full-spectrum, ethanol-extracted THC oil, applied it vigorously to the cancer afflicted spot, and then, after a length of time, his cancer disappeared. 

Since the 1970s, RSO has spread like wildfire throughout the marijuana industry, benefiting not only the recreational user but also medical users also. The oil's high potency is a perfect option for someone battling a high THC tolerance, as you only need to ingest a small dosage of RSO to get blazed. 

THC vape cartridges

Vape cartridges offer another pathway to enjoy high THC percentages with a few different options of extraction, such as full spectrum, distillate, and live resin. Each type of extraction offers its own enhancements to provide each user with a different level of optimum usage. Any of these options would make an excellent choice for someone with high THC tolerance, as their potency is higher than your normal flower product. 

Full spectrum oil offers the best entourage effect by combining THC, CBD, and terpenes that together provide an epic, euphoric effect. 

Live resin cartridges offer a blended quality oil called BHO, or butane hash oil. This oil pulls flavor and potency from the plant itself -- the process is quite fascinating. The plant is frozen over, and then the terpenes and cannabinoids are extracted from the plant through a chemical process. The result is quality and potency all wrapped up in one oil. 

Lastly, we have distillate -- the most potent of all three just because of the process itself. This extraction involves distillation, which pulls all the cannabinoids out and leaves behind most terpenes. This equates to a very potent cartridge, though not the most flavorful; often, terpenes are added back in later during the process. 

Wax, dabs, shatter, sugar, budders, and hash rosin

Wax concentrates are one of the most innovative products to be released within the industry. From the simple days of shatter, sugars, and budders, to our more complex options like hash rosin, these potent little dabs will have you elevated in no time. 

What is a dab? A dab is a dollop of concentrate, ready to be enjoyed through vaporization. These options do require a special “rig” or electric dabbing device to enjoy; however, you could always get crafty and throw a dollop of concentrate or two into the classic joint or on top of a packed bowl. 

Wax is categorized by sugar, budder, and shatter.

Sugar wax tends to be more of a crystallized form and is easily used with a dab tool.

Budder or sauce is more thick, gooey, and consistent, while shatter is flat, almost glass like, and usually packaged in parchment paper.

Hash rosin is a beautiful creation; the trichome heads from the plant itself are sifted off the flower, and heat plus pressure squeezes the goodness from them.

Combine THC and CBD

Lastly, we have the classic and oh-so-enjoyable method of combining THC and CBD together, or even finding a strain that's higher in CBD than THC. These options are wonderful for the cannabis user who needs a slight THC break, but maybe not a complete tolerance break. Combining the two cannabinoids creates a heavenly, euphoric vibe without a climatic high. The avid cannabis user is able to enjoy a session while still giving their endocannabinoid system a bit of a break from solid THC. 

Two of the best strains I have found for this are Charlotte's Web and Harlequin, both low in THC yet relaxing, enjoyable, and mind clearing. Meditating with these strains adds an extra level of self care during sessions, too. 

Explore the world of high THC products

Thankfully, the marijuana industry is constantly evolving and creating innovative ways for avid cannabis enthusiasts to enjoy getting high. Having high THC tolerance is no longer the end of the world, but an interesting challenge and reason to explore an alternative method of enjoyment.