Science Cannabis

The Pharmacology of THC 49Figure 2.7. Principal route of metabolism of THC.patients and recreational users generally prefer smoked marijuana. Theerratic and unreliable oral absorption of THC poses a serious problemfor the effective use of the pure drug as a medicine, as is discussed againin Chapter 4.Other Routes of AdministrationBecause THC is so insoluble in water, injection by the intravenous routeis very difficult. It can be achieved by slowly adding an alcoholic solutionof THC to a rapid intravenous infusion of saline solution, but this israrely used even in hospital settings. Other alternatives have been littleexplored so far. By dissolving THC in suitable nontoxic solvents it is