Novel Sublingual Tablet, Suppository, and Vaporizer Cannabis Products Show Faster Absorption Than Standard Formulations | Research

The takeaway

A clinical trial in 12 healthy volunteers found novel sublingual, rectal, and vaporizer cannabis products had more rapid and in some cases less variable absorption of THC and CBD compared to approved products like Sativex.

clinical pharmacologists, medical cannabis prescribers, pharmaceutical developers

What the researchers found

Novel cannabis products showed faster absorption of THC and CBD compared to Sativex and oil-based oromucosal products. The vaporizer provided the most immediate systemic absorption with highest peak concentrations. Sublingual tablets and suppositories had somewhat lower bioavailability than oromucosal products. Safety profiles were comparable across all formulations.

Why it matters

Different medical conditions require different cannabinoid absorption profiles. Faster, more predictable absorption could improve dosing precision and clinical outcomes for patients who need rapid symptom relief.

The numbers in context

12 volunteers; 10 products tested; 8 per volunteer. Vaporizer: fastest absorption, highest Cmax. Sublingual/suppositories: faster absorption but lower bioavailability than oromucosal. Safety: novel products non-inferior to approved formulations.

How the study worked

Single-center, single-dose, randomized, crossover, partially blinded controlled trial. 12 healthy volunteers each received 8 of 10 products: novel sublingual tablet, vaporizer, rectal suppositories, Sativex, oil-based oromucosal products, and placebo. Serial blood sampling with noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis of THC, 11-OH-THC, and CBD.

What this study cannot tell us

Very small sample (n=12). Single-dose design in healthy volunteers. Cannot extrapolate to patients with medical conditions. Crossover design may have period effects. Bioavailability differences may matter clinically.

How to read the evidence

Randomized crossover PK trial with rigorous design, but very small sample (n=12) and single-dose in healthy volunteers limits generalizability.

When this study was published

2025 publication.

The bigger picture

The medical cannabis field needs pharmaceutical-grade products with predictable pharmacokinetics. This study demonstrates that alternative delivery routes can offer distinct PK advantages, potentially allowing clinicians to match delivery method to clinical need.

Questions still open

Which delivery route is optimal for specific medical conditions?
Would chronic dosing show different PK profiles than single-dose?

Common questions

What is the fastest way to absorb medical cannabis?

In this clinical trial, vaporizer delivery provided the fastest and highest blood levels of THC and CBD. Sublingual tablets were also faster than traditional oil-based oral products, though with somewhat lower total absorption.

Are medical cannabis suppositories effective?

This study found rectal cannabis products provided rapid absorption of cannabinoids with a safety profile comparable to approved products. They could be useful for patients who cannot take oral medications.

Read the original research

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Innovative Sublingual, Rectal and Vaporizer Cannabis Products Versus Approved Cannabis Products in Healthy Volunteers.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 10(2), e289-e298

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Tarlovski, Sheina; Bar Kadmon, Anat; Goldberg, Eran; Segal, Dadi; Gavish, Dov; Stepensky, David. (2025). Comparative Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Innovative Sublingual, Rectal and Vaporizer Cannabis Products Versus Approved Cannabis Products in Healthy Volunteers.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 10(2), e289-e298. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2023.0229