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Champions of Craft Cannabis Since 2015
Herbal Dispatch has led Canada’s craft cannabis revolution, bringing members exclusive access to premium, small-batch products from the nation’s finest growers.
Featured product
Happy Hour
Organic Smalls Sativa (Dancehall)
Award-winning and organically grown in living soil, Dancehall is a legacy cultivar that’s earned recognition across Canada - 2nd Place LP Flower at Unicorn Cup 2022 and 2nd Place Sativa at Karma Cup 2023. Contains: 7 grams
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Blog
#178: From Smoke to Sweets:
How Canada's Non‑Smoking Trend Is Changing Medical Cannabis
There was a time when "using cannabis" basically meant smoking it. That time is quickly fading. Canadians are changing how they use cannabis, and the shift is happening faster than you might think.
According to Health Canada's 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey, cannabis smoking has dropped from 89% of users in 2018 to 69% in 2024. Meanwhile, eating and drinking cannabis has climbed from 43% to 57% in that same period. That's a massive change in just six years.
For medical cannabis patients, this isn't just a passing trend. It's a shift that's changing which products are available, what healthcare practitioners recommend, and how people find relief, without ever having to light up.
A new cannabis era
The move away from smoking isn't accidental. It reflects how Canadians actually live.
Many medical patients prefer not to smoke for various reasons. Some have respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, while others live in smoke-free housing, have children, or simply want to avoid the lingering smell and stigma of cannabis smoke. For patients who are older or new to cannabis, familiar formats like capsules or oils can also feel more approachable than smoking.
At the same time, legal edibles, oils and capsules have become much easier to find since legalization. The market has kept up with demand. Licensed online platforms now carry hundreds of non-smoked options, from CBD oils and capsules to edibles that range from gummies to fruit bars.
This is a much better situation than even five years ago, when the options were limited and the quality was hit or miss.
Seniors are driving change
One of the biggest drivers of the non-smoking trend is seniors. Older adults are now the fastest-growing group of medical cannabis users in Canada.
When you consider the common health concerns of older Canadians (ie chronic pain, sleep issues, and mood changes), this trend makes a lot of sense. Many seniors are already taking multiple prescriptions and are looking for alternatives to strong pharmaceuticals. They're open to cannabis, just not to smoking it.
A major Canadian study of nearly 10,000 adults aged 65 and older offers some clear insights. It found that CBD-dominant cannabis oils were the most popular format, used by over 83% of participants. At follow-up appointments, these seniors reported significant improvements: 72.7% felt their pain had lessened, 64.5% were sleeping better, and 52.8% noticed a better mood.
Oil under the tongue. A capsule before bed. A low-dose gummy in the evening. These are the kinds of simple, familiar formats that are making it possible for seniors to explore cannabis on their own terms.
Veteran cannabis trends
Canadian veterans are also among the most active medical cannabis users in the country, and many of them have moved away from smoking as well.
As of 2024-25, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) was reimbursing more than 27,000 veterans for medical cannabis, at a total cost of nearly $245 million per year. That's a program that has grown from just 37 veterans in 2011.
What's interesting is how veterans are choosing to use it. A McGill University study on cannabis use among Canadian veterans found that oils (61%) and edibles (54%) were the most common consumption methods, while smoking was reported by only 28% of participants.
Veterans dealing with anxiety, PTSD, sleep problems, and chronic pain (which made up the top reasons for cannabis use in the study) often prefer formats that provide steady, controlled relief over hours.
A vape pen or a pre-roll can act fast, but the effects come and go quickly. An oil or capsule may take longer to kick in, but many patients find the longer duration more useful for getting through a full night's sleep or managing pain that doesn't stop at noon.
For veterans navigating complex health conditions, the ability to fine-tune a consistent dose without smoking makes non-inhaled cannabis a more practical option for daily life. The fact that Veterans Affairs Canada’s reimbursement program covers these formats also makes this choice more financially accessible.
Which format works best?
Whether you're curious about making a switch or trying cannabis for the first time, today's non-inhaled options offer an excellent starting point.
Oils and tinctures are flexible. You can adjust the dose drop by drop and feel the effects within 30 to 90 minutes.
Capsules and softgels offer consistency, the same dose every time, and are easy to track.
Gummies and edibles are discreet and beginner-friendly, but remember that onset can take up to two hours, so patience matters.
Topicals are worth exploring for localized pain without any systemic effects at all.
Canada's shift away from smoking means you have more options than ever, allowing you to find relief in ways that fit your life.
Cannabis beyond smoking
The cannabis market today gives you the power to personalize your wellness routine like never before. Whether you prefer the fast-acting effects of inhalation, the precise dosing of capsules, or the soothing relief of topicals, there’s a format to suit your needs and lifestyle.
Looking to explore non-smoked cannabis formats? Browse Herbal Dispatch's full selection of oils, capsules, edibles, and more.
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