Cannabis oil: Everything you need to know
These days everyone and their sister know someone that uses cannabis oil or at least knows someone that preaches about the natural medical wonder that can help for various ailments. Yes, cannabis oil is every old wives tale’s worst nightmare and it seems like medicinal use might be legal in South Africa sooner rather than later, with recreational use of cannabis or marijuana products to follow.
Because cannabis oil is still very illegal in South Africa, there are a lot of unanswered questions about the oil and other cannabis derivative products. How absurd it is to lock people up in jail for the use of cannabis is slowly but surely becoming the global consensus, but for now, it is of the utmost importance that you know the facts about not just cannabis oil but also the other cannabis products that soon might be available at a store near you.
What is cannabis oil?
Shatter, wax, honeycomb, oil, crumble, sap, budder, pull-and-snap, cannabis oil (or even commonly dagga-olie) are all names that have been given to cannabis extracts. In South Africa, most people use the term cannabis oil. All these different names might give you the impression that there are major differences between the crumbly waxes and the syrupy oils, but the differences are much more superficial than you might think.
Different types of cannabis oil extracts, clockwise from top-left – Cannabis oil, cannabis oil, budder, shatter
Technically cannabis oil is any cannabis extract that contains the THC or CDB cannabinoids. There are various ways to get the extracts from the plant, but butane extraction is by far the most commonly used process to produce cannabis oil.
Thus cannabis oil is an extract that contains cannabinoids (for example THC and CBD) from the plant material of the cannabis plant by exposing the plant material to a solvent like butane. The butane containing the dissolved cannabinoids is slowly heated so that the butane evaporates and only the cannabinoid-rich extract remains. Basically, cannabis oil has all the yummy goodness of the cannabinoids, that you can then ingest without heating or burning the plant materials.
Is cannabis oil legal in South Africa?
Currently, cannabis oil is still illegal in South Africa.
Cannabis oil is illegal for both medicinal and recreational use in South Africa. Even in the privacy of your own home, the use, sale, transport or cultivation of cannabis and cannabis products is against the law in South Africa. You can be arrested if cannabis or cannabis oil is found in your possession. And even if the cannabis oil in your cupboard if for your grandma’s sore big toe, you should know you can go to jail for it, no matter how much grandma’s toe hurts.
What is cannabis oil used for?
Cannabis oil has been used by humans for thousands of years for a variety of reasons. As a medication, medication for the soul, for relaxation, for sex, for creativity, for focus, for pleasure and always because it’s that person’s choice to make use of the cannabis plant.
These days cannabis oil is often used for the medicinal value. The cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant help for a wide range of ailments, and it’s a long list. Here is a list of medical reasons that will see you qualify for medicinal use of cannabis in California.
- Cancer
- Anorexia
- AIDS
- Chronic pain
- Spasticity
- Cachexia
- Persistent muscle spasms, including those associated with multiple sclerosis
- Seizures, including, but not limited to, those associated with epilepsy
- Severe nausea
- Glaucoma
- Arthritis
- Migraines
- Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) or, if not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or physical or mental health.
(List from Leafly: Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card by State”
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries found in states like Colorado and California make obtaining cannabis oil much safer
Why use cannabis oil rather than just smoking weed?
Although there have been studies done on the effects of smoking cannabis, plenty more studies have to be done before we will really understand the effect that smoking cannabis will have on the body. Unfortunately, the illegality of cannabis makes it very difficult to do studies on the plant. With that said, there is no doubt that carcinogens and tar is not good for the human body. That is why many people choose to use cannabis oil. The oil can be ingested orally or by vaporizing.
Cannabis oil is also used to make medicated edibles
Does cannabis oil make you high?
When speaking from personal experience, yes. I’ve never used cannabis oil that did not cause a high. Just like any other medication your body needs to build up a tolerance to the medication. That is why it is so important to start with smaller doses and adjust your dose based on how you react to cannabis oil. I’ve been told about and I’ve read about CBD cannabis oils that don’t cause a high, but I’ve never had the opportunity to try a CBD oil.
The best advice I can give would be to start with a small amount and to wait an hour or two to see how the cannabis oil makes you feel. How much oil to use also depends on who you get your cannabis oil from and how it is produced. Because cannabis oil is illegal in South Africa there are no standard or labels that can tell you exactly how much CBD and THC there is in your oil. So start out slow and see what the oils effect is on you. Especially if it is your first time using cannabis oil.
What’s going to happen if I take too much cannabis oil?
Nothing. After a few hours, everything will return to normal. A cannabis oil trip can last for anything between 3 and 12 hours, depending on the person who took it. It might feel like the world is coming to a standstill, but just remember that nobody has ever overdosed on cannabis.
If it feels like you took too much cannabis oil, have a cup of coffee and a glass of water. Eat something sweet to push up your blood sugar levels and if you feel really bad, go lie down on your bed until you fall asleep. By the time that you wake up the effect of the oil will be massively reduced or completely gone.
How much does cannabis oil cost?
Prices differ depending on where you get it. On average the price paid for cannabis oil in South Africa ranges from R450 per gram up to even R1000+ per gram. a Gram might not sound like much, but in most cases, if the oil is a good product a gram will last you much longer than you think. With one gram of cannabis oil, you can easily medicate 12-24 brownies.
Where can I get cannabis oil in South Africa?
Nowhere that it’s legal, at least not in South Africa. Personal use of cannabis has been decriminalized in South Africa,but the sale of cannabis productsis still illegal. That has left South Africans that want cannabis oil in a weird grey area legally. There will be no cannabis shops in South Africa for the next 24 months because nobody will legally be able to sell it. But, there is no law against someone just giving you any cannabis products as long as there is no expectation for payment.
Cannabis oil containing no THC is legal though, and there are South African online stores where you can buy these products. Buying online is safe and also means that your product will be delivered at the address of your choice.
In Colorado or California in the USA cannabis oil is easily obtainable, but I would advise you to not try and cross international borders carrying an illegal substance. The Canadians have it figured out with mail order marijuana in Canada. And services that help you find exotic carts cannabis oil near me. Here in South Africa, it’s a different story. If you are looking for more information on cannabis oil, please send an email to olie@gevaaalik.com for help with cannabis oil and other oil-based products.
A while ago I did an interview with three different weed dealers. Remember the buying and selling of cannabis oil are illegal in South Africa and as such the black market and dealers are where most people purchase their oil.
How to use cannabis oil
Gone are the days where you have to smoke cannabis to get the benefits of the plant. For cannabis connoisseurs the world over there are other options when they want to use their bud. Products like a Black Mamba Vaporizer that lets you vaporize dry herb. Edibles if you don’t want to vape and cannabis oil that can easily be used in various ways.
Vaping is a common way to use the oil. Vaping simply heats up the oil so that it turns into a vapor that is then inhaled into the lungs. Vaping systems come in all shapes and sizes, from pen or portable vaporizers to full dabbing rigs that look a lot like a bong.
Different types of cannabis oil dabbing rigs
Cannabis oil is often used for recreational use, especially with dabbing. Dabbing is a very specific way to vaporize the oil. In this manner, large doses of the cannabinoids can be taken at once. There is an active dabbing-culture throughout the world, and also in South Africa. Dabbing is a preferred method because of lower levels of carcinogens and tar that enters the body with the cannabinoids. Dabbing is described as “the cleaner high”.
You can also eat or drink the oil with water. Cannabis oil also gets taken in capsules or is used to cook or bake and then eaten.
Have you got any questions about cannabis oil?
Because cannabis, marijuana, dagga has been illegal in South Africa for so long, it can be really hard to find information on the subject matter. If you have any questions concerning cannabis or cannabis oil, please leave your question in the comments below and I’ll try my best to answer your question or point you in the right direction.
*The author of this piece and gevaaalik.com do not encourage the use, consumption, possession or distribution of any illegal substances or products. This article and the information is not medical advice and everything in this article should be personally researched before coming to any conclusions.
i have pain on my toes and someone recommended I try this oil feet , legs and back constantly
I was wanting to try it.
How will cannabis oil effect someone who is taking chronic medication for chronic diseases. I work at an old-age home and very concerned if this will clash with sedatives, dementia patients. On the one hand we give them downers to make them calm and then give cannabis which is a stimulant. What if someone becomes addicted through giving them cannabis oil.
@Lesley: You would have to speak to a medical professional about mixing cannabis oil use with other prescription medications. They would be able to best inform you, but make sure you get hold of a doctor who has looked into the matter.
Cannabis is a downer, not a stimulant. Nobody can become physically addicted to cannabis oil. There are no physical withdrawal symptoms that we know of, and although further research needs to be done on if there is any addictive behavior related to an addiction that might develop because of cannabis use. For some, there is dependency issue, but you can get addicted psychologically to anything, including masturbation, watching TV, eating hamburgers or having sugar with your coffee.
Iam using canabis differently…
Iam boiling Olive oil…then dipping a natural cannabis tree into the oil and leave it to soak and steam in…
Thereafter I remove the tree…
And keep the oil…
I use half a teaspoon daily for prevention of cancer tb asthama and many other illnesses…
Thank you…
Kind regards…
Aslam moulasa
Hi there i would like to get my granny some of this oil how much must she use
@Chantelle: I always suggest starting with a small dose, oil about the size of a grain of rice or a match head. Taken before bed. Dosage can be increased once the person has built up a tolerance and can then determine what their ideal dose is.
Hi Ruan
Ek sukkel baie met suur, en wil graag my eie olie maak.
Hoe kan ek dit eenvoudig doen? Asb
Dankie
John
@John: Daar is ongelukkig nie ‘n eenvoudige manier nie. Die eenvoudigste manier is deur ‘n rosin extraction te doen met ‘n hair straightner, maar jy gaan baie dagga kort om ‘n klein hoeveelheid olie te kry. Kyk maar na die video om te sien hoe dit gedoen word: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuWqEo63pZc
Hi Ruan ek het gewassies aan my stembande, hulle kan dit nie verwyder kan die olie daarvoor help
@Hester: Daar was al studies wat gewys het dat cannabinoids die afsterwe kan veroorsaak van gewasse. Lees meer oor die studie hier: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005548/
Do you take Cannabis or apply it to the skin where one has the skin cancer.
@Sue: Cannabis oil is taken orally, but cannabis-infused creams can be applied topically. More info on Cannacream here: http://x5s.c11.mytemp.website/cannabis-cream-dagga-olie-salf-vir-die-vel
Hi sal Dagga salf werk vir ñ drukseer om gesond teword? Sukkel al vir 3jaar dat hy moet toegaan.
To give you an idea. My mother has never smoked or drank (only the odd glass of wine on special occasions). She’s 63 now. 5 years ago she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She had chemo and radiotherapy and 7 major surgeries. She was in excruciating pain which was difficult for me because I’m a paramedic so I ended being her nurse. I gave her any scheduled pain killer you can think of and nothing worked, except for extremely high doses of morphine or pethadine. She would basically be on another planet and she didn’t enjoy it. I got her some cannabis oil from some friends of mine from my somewhat rebellious youth. I finally convinced her that cannabis oil will help. Your body actually has canaboid receptors. That’s in a nutshell how it it works. Your body recognises THC because there are receptors for it. (It’s a bit more complicated than that but you get the idea). I started her on 2 drops in the morning and 2 drops in the evening and it worked way better than you could believe. It improved her mood, relieved her pain and she could finally look on the bright side of living with a colostomy bag. Her cancer has gone completely, which shocked her oncologist as it was down to the help from the canabis oil. It’s not a miracle cure for cancer, but it helps make cancer a lot more bearable. It’s important to remember that although it has a lot of benefits, it’s not going to cure you completely. There are cases where people have said they have been cured using canabis in some form or another but some people have more canaboid receptors then others. It’s only going to help you. To answer a question above asking if it’s safe to use with other sedatives like benzodiazepines the answer is yes. They are both “downers” but work within your body in completely different ways. The only contraindication for canabis is drinking too much alcohol. You won’t die if you get “the greens” from drinking too much, but you’ll think you’re going to. Studies have shown a vast improvement with dementia, alziemers and especially Parkinson’s disease patients. I wouldn’t go just administer it to someone who has dementia though because it’s not legal and a doctor can’t prescribe it yet so you’ll get into a lot of trouble. Hope it helped a bit. It’s not long before it’s legalised and you’ll see mass production of canabis products and a lot of hemp products too. In a way it is a miracle plant, but like anything it has to be used responsibly. It’s not easy for people to stop a psychological addiction. Of course if you abuse it I’ve seen first hand people can become physically dependant on it too. The only difference is that it’s psychological withdrawal so it feels like you physically need it. A lot like stopping smoking ciggarettes, whereas an alchaholic physically dependant on alcohol has to be weaned off it because of life threatening withdrawal symptoms like siezures and delirium tremors (DT’s) where your body goes into shock and it can cause cardiac arrest. Their is a list a mile long of what can happen with alchahol withdrawal if you don’t get medically monitored and medicated. It’s true though as mentioned nobody in history has died from too much cannabis. It’s impossible to overdose on it. Makes you wonder why alcohol is so socially accepted but marijuana is frowned upon.
My friend has cancer and wants to try canabis oil,u can buy legally but is it the same and same affect to help her
I have brain cancer grade, a tumor on the brain, going for my second operation in less than a week, my husband wants me to go on cannibals oil once I get out of hospital coz of all the great things his heard about it, any advise or opinions on it?
Why does Hindmarch say it’s not advisable to use the black cannabis oil
Do you have to keep it in the fridge?
@Sherryl: No.
Hi Ruan. My son is 27 and has stage 4 metastatic colon cancer which has spread to his brain and lungs.Radiation therapy had no effect. I have started him on cannibus oil(thc plus cbd). He is currently having 3 matchstick head drops. I believe this is quite low to achieve any serious benefit. Considering his condition, what should his dose be and after how many days should dosage change(assuming he tolerates it well). He has never smoked or drank alcohol.
@PJ: Hi PJ. Sorry to hear about your son’s battle. My suggestion would be as much as he could tolerate, daily. I’ve known people who have gone as far as using a gram of full-spectrum cannabis oil extract each day when fighting cancer. At the end of the day it comes down to what your sons can handle and making sure not to dose him so much that he starts feeling bad because of the cannabis oil.
Best of luck to you.
I know of a lady of 76 that has goalstones. Due to her heart function that is only on 40%. They cant opperate. But she is in severe pain and battling with nusea. Will cannabis oil relieve her pain. But will it have any bad side effects on her heart?
@Wilma: Anyone with a heart condition should speak to a doctor before they start using any new medication, natural medicine (cannabis oil) or pharmaceuticals.
Hi Ruan, i’m thinking of taking cannabis oil as a preventative for different old age diseases and cancers. I’ve been advised to take a pin head dosage before bed on a daily basis. What is your opinion on the matter ?
Regards Ian
Goeie dag. Is dit gevaarlik om cannabis oil vir kleuters te gee
@Jan: Dit word aangeraai dat mense weg bly van THC (‘n cannabinoid gevind in cannabis oil) to jou frontale lob van jou brein klaar ontwikkel het. Vir meeste mense gebeur dit rondom die ouderdom van 25. Behalwe as daar ‘n mediese rede is, sou ek nie aanraai dat cannabis oil vir ‘n kleuter gegee word nie. Veral nie cannabis oil wat THC in het nie.
Hi Ruan,
Ek het onlangs begin om dagga-olie te gebruik. Ek vind dat ek vreeslike hoofpyn kry. Dit verminder die pyn maar neem dit nie weg nie. Ek het osteoartrities in my knieg. Wat is die newe effekte?
@Sarie: Daar is baie min newe effekte, en dit verskil van persoon tot persoon. Indien jy dit al gebruik het sal jy weet of jy enige newe effekte ervaar het. Klink nie of jy het nie, so ek sou meer op ‘n slag neem om te help met die hoofpyne.
My family tree is full of cancer…..bowel, skin and prostate…..I have made my own CO and want to treat myself with a preventative dosage level. I do not like the “high” when I take it orally and based on reading different experiences in Australia will be try using a 1 ml syringe to dose myself via the back door instead of suppositories.
Has anyone had any experience with this.
Thanks for writing this. I learned alot
What is the dosage pet day for home made cannabis oil.. The patient suffers from arrhythmia
@Anna: Depends on the tolerance of person. Some people take a single drop a day, others use a gram or more per day. Also, the problem with homemade cannabis oil is that you don’t know the cannabinoid content, so it would be impossible for me to tell you how much of that oil to use daily.
i had a stroke and are partially paralised, can i use canabis oil for this?