Consumers new to the medical cannabis culture quickly discover that there are lots of different ways to do things. Between multiple delivery methods, different dosages, layering, and the entourage effect, there simply isn’t a single way to use medical cannabis. Perhaps that’s why so many experts recommend the low and slow approach.

‘Low and slow’, as it is normally referred to in the cannabis community, is a principle that dictates how new medical cannabis users should approach the idea of medicating with cannabis. The low part refers to the dosage and frequency while the slow part refers to increasing both.

What It’s All About

Low and slow is more or less a way of easing into cannabis medications. As an approach for new users, it actually makes sense. A doctor prescribing a prescription medication would not immediately put a patient on the highest possible dose and greatest frequency unless medically necessary. He would start with the lowest possible dose and least frequency and go from there. That’s what low and slow is all about.

The basic premise of low and slow is that a new user starts with the smallest possible dosage. He also uses cannabis with minimal frequency. Determining how low and slow to go isn’t easy, which is why experts also recommend that patients consult with knowledgeable doctors and pharmacists.

On the lowest dosage and the least possible frequency, a new user tracks how medical cannabis makes him feel. If he’s finding sufficient relief, no further modifications are necessary. But if the current dose and frequency isn’t helping as much as he thinks it should, it’s time to increase both.

General Low and Slow Standards

There are no regulations governing the low and slow approach to medical cannabis. However, there are some general standards that seem pretty common throughout the community. According to Salt Lake City-based Beehive Farmacy, it’s common to:

• Start with just 5-10 mg of CBD, twice daily
• Incorporate THC only if CBD isn’t offering sufficient relief
• Start THC dosages at 1-2.5 mg daily

In terms of increasing dosage and frequency, here are the general guidelines:

• Increase dose at regular intervals of 2-7 days
• Increasing at increments of 5-10 mg of CBD or 1-2.5 mg of THC
• Allowing time between increases to effectively assess the effects

Beehive Farmacy representatives say that the ultimate goal is to figure out just the right amount at just the right frequency. There is no point in consuming more than you need, but you also don’t want to consume less. Low and slow is designed to help you find the sweet spot.

The Tolerance Issue

The low and slow approach is also helpful for new users trying to understand the tolerance issue. Note that developing tolerance is a legitimate concern with medical cannabis. What is tolerance? It is a condition in which the body becomes used to having a certain amount of THC in the system. When it kicks in, the same dosage no longer produces the same level of relief.

Tolerance normally encourages medical cannabis users to increase dosage in frequency. But experts recommend taking 2-3 days off per month in order to avoid tolerance. Keeping tolerance at bay greatly reduces the chances of developing cannabis use disorder.

There are many ways new users can approach medical cannabis. The low and slow approach is designed to ease users into self-medicating. It’s a smart approach that saves money, makes tolerance easier to deal with, and ensures that medical cannabis is truly being treated like a medicine rather than something it is not intended to be.