It’s another day, and we yet again have another new way we can consume cannabis. This time, we are talking about snortable cannabis items. Wait, what? Yes, you heard me right, but before you make a judgment about it, join us as we explore consuming cannabis with our noses to find out if it’s a better option than your current preferred choice.
What is Snortable Cannabis?
The phrase snortable cannabis sounds a bit…well alarming. Since, for many of us, our minds immediately jump to an illegal drug that is most commonly consumed through the nose. And while there are several ways to consume cannabis, from edibles (by the way, we teach you how to make gummies at home here!) to extracts, taking it up the nose isn’t usually one. However, what if I were to say I was talking about cannabis nasal sprays instead? Now, many of us will turn our minds to nasal cold medications like Zicam.
But that’s actually the problem! Nasal cannabis sprays aren’t the main topic of debate today. We are talking about products like Canna Bumps, where THC crystals are packaged in vials that come with spoons alluding that they should be snorted. Oh, wait I can’t forget they include cards too. Because maybe you need to break up the powder for some reason. And that’s got some people not too happy. OK, it has a lot of people, from major brands like Leafy to cannabis activists quite upset. Canna Bumps were quickly discontinued after major backlash, but many say that damage was already done.
Can You Really Snort Cannabis?
While research is limited, there are a few studies that conclude cannabis can be snorted when delivered in the right form. In fact, nasal inhalation can deliver some pros over other consumption methods. It can lead to rapid absorption compared to edibles, which is great for those who struggle with vaping, smoking, etc. due to allergies, etc.
One study published in the Journal of Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids found no serious side effects and only minimal intoxication with nasal inhalation. Which one would expect with a dose of just 3.96 mg of THC, i.e., the dosage falls in line with other consumption methods. Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol found a single dose of 20mg of CBD administered via intranasal was well-tolerated in a study of six healthy Beagle dogs aged 3–8 years old. Each dog was additionally tested with a single dose of 100mg rectally and again orally to compare with no noted abnormalities between the administration methods.
So, while there isn’t much to go off, we do have studies that point to nasal inhalation being a safe and effective way to consume cannabis compounds. But they say nothing regarding the act of snorting cannabinoid crystals. And this is likely because snorting tiny particles in a solid state is not a common administration method due to several health concerns.
Pros and Cons of Snorting Cannabis
Advantages
- Fast Relief: Snorting cannabis likely leads to rapid onset of effects similar to computation methods such as smoking/vaping, which are often preferred over edibles due to their ability to provide quick relief.
- Higher Bioavailability: The nasal cavity is highly vascularized, leading to higher bioavailability of cannabinoids compared to potentially all other routes of administration.
- Alternative For Lung Issues: For individuals with lung issues, allergies, or those who prefer to avoid inhaling smoke or vapor, snorting can be an alternative method of consuming cannabis.
Drawbacks
- Potential Health Risks: Snorting any substance can irritate the nasal passages, potentially leading to nasal congestion, nosebleeds, or other health issues, especially with prolonged use.
- Lack of Widespread Acceptance: Snorting cannabis is not a common or widely accepted method of consumption, both in medical and recreational settings, which may limit access and availability of products designed for nasal use.
- Controversy Within The Cannabis Community: Some individuals within the cannabis community — OK, a good many — view snorting cannabis as unneeded and risky, viewing it as a good way to set back the legalization progress we made over the last several decades.
Nasal Sprays: A Safer Alternative?
While products like Canna Bumps that are designed to be snorted in a similar fashion to cocaine tick some people off, nasal sprays that look just like common decongestants like Flonase have been accepted with open arms by the cannabis community. Cannabis nasal sprays come in the same various ratios of cannabinoids you’ll find with vape cartridges and other cannabis extracts. They are way more user-friendly, easy to administer, and deliver precise dosages thanks to their handy nasal pump.
Based on current research — not just on our limited cannabinoid nasal inhalation studies, but on research on intranasal administration in general — many experts would be simply dumbfounded to learn that nasal sprays don’t offer a much safer alternative to products where you snort cannabinoid crystals. I’m not saying it’s a non-zero possibility, just out of an abundance of caution.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
As someone who has lived in an illegal state for way longer than their experience would allude to having been achieved on purely legal grounds, I’m going to talk a bit from the heart. Cannabis products designed to look like cocaine and be consumed in the same fashion are inappropriate and potentially racially insensitive on multiple levels. We are all in charge of creating/consuming cannabis in responsible ways. Whether that’s responsible manufacturing that doesn’t create products that resemble illegal drugs, cultivators pushing to grow in more environmentally friendly ways, or consumers being conscious about the smell of their products.I want to talk about that last one in particular. When Ohio legalized both abortion and recreational cannabis In November 2023’s election, rural folk were more favorable to cannabis v.s. abortion when compared to city individuals. When those living in major cities were asked why, some said that while they usually vote left, the smell they’ve experienced, especially when visiting legal states, was incredibly off-putting. So much so they didn’t care to vote one way or another — with some voting against it. And you know what, it’s hard to blame some of them, as I’ve seen, well, smelled some of you. Whether it’s the products we buy or how we consume them, we all need to do our part in keeping cannabis legal.
Nicholas McKenzie - Cannabis Research Specialist
Nicholas has spent the last ten years teaching gardeners, businesses, and enthusiasts how to succeed in the exciting and ever-changing world of cannabis. Whether he’s in the field getting his hands dirty or in the lab studying cannabinoids and their uses, Nicholas is passionate about bringing well-researched, factual, and concise information to an industry that very much needs it.
