Marijuana edibles have progressed from the modest marijuana brownie to carefully dosed and Willy Wonka-approved delights sold over the counter at dispensaries around the country.
It can all feel daunting if you’re reintroducing yourself to edibles or learning how to eat edibles for the first time.
Fortunately, if you go to a dispensary near you, the people behind the counter will help you find canna-bliss. Of course, it never hurts to be prepared with the fundamentals—like, oh, how many milligrams should I start with?
Learn how to eat edibles safely, and the best ways to consume them. To get the lay of the land and some easy-to-remember tips for buying edibles for the first time (or the first time in a long time). Here’s a full overview of what to expect, including tips for how to eat edibles. Let’s get started.
What are edibles?
Marijuana edibles encompass various orally delivered products such as baked foods, beverages, candies, lozenges, capsules, tinctures, and more.
Depending on the product type, each product contains a specific amount of medical marijuana that is digested.
Although there are various kinds, practically all edibles are manufactured through a process known as decarboxylation, which is essential to activating the medicinal compounds of the plant material. Here are the advantages:
- Convenience: Most edible products are simple to transport and administer when a patient requires medication.
- Discretion: Edibles are a convenient way to medicate without drawing attention or emitting the odors associated with smoking or vaporization.
- Symptom Alleviation: The progressive digestion of edibles provides long-lasting symptom relief.
- Value: Edibles are a medicinally efficient manner of giving cannabinoids, which means that powerful effects can be obtained at a low cost to the patient.
How do marijuana edibles work?
In contrast to smoked cannabis, edible preparations allow cannabinoid content to enter the circulation via digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. This process is significantly slower than inhalation but has a far greater impact.
Patients are recommended to take caution to prevent getting overmedicated after taking edibles, as the sensation can differ significantly from smoking or vaporizing cannabis.
How to eat edibles safely?
Follow these simple tips and learn how to eat edibles.
- Dosage: A single 10 mg dose is typically recommended as a starting point. If you’re new to edible things, this is the maximum you should contemplate consuming. Pay attention to the potency mentioned on the package, and be aware that many edible goods include multiple doses.
- Patience: Edible products typically take 30-60 minutes to take action. Before selecting whether or not to eat more, be sure you’ve given the product enough time to digest and start working. Because you won’t feel the full effect for at least an hour, further use during that period can easily lead to overmedication.
- Tolerance: Users who have smoked or vaporized cannabis may not develop a high tolerance to edible products. Don’t assume that because you use other products regularly, you’ll need a huge amount.
- Effects: Edible cannabis products are digested differently than inhaled cannabis products, resulting in a distinct effect. Benefits such as better mood and hunger are still possible, although the physical sensation may differ significantly from what you’re used to.
Note: Do not intend on driving or indulging in other activities where impairment may jeopardize your safety. An edible dose’s effect can often be felt for several hours.
- Consumption: This can be extremely beneficial for people seeking long-term symptom alleviation, but it can be inconvenient if not planned for and prepared for. Like other drugs, consuming edibles on an empty stomach may enhance the effect and induce discomfort. It’s preferable to combine edibles with non-medicated foods.
- Ask important questions: Staff at the dispensary can provide detailed product information. Potency varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so don’t be afraid to ask questions before trying a new product.
- Product types: Keep in mind that some edibles function differently than others. Products processed in the stomach, such as baked foods, will take longer to take effect than tinctures that are absorbed under the gums.
- Contents: If you have food allergies, be cautious of the ingredients indicated on the container and double-check all products before consuming.
- Storage: Always check the product label for storage and expiration dates. Edibles should be carefully and safely stored away from anyone who is not intended to consume the food.
- Adverse Reactions: If an excessively large quantity is taken, the patient may experience discomfort, such as an upset stomach, anxiety, and disorientation. Overmedication can be unpleasant, but the effects wear off and produce little long-term harm. If you notice symptoms of overmedication, the best thing to do is relax and realize that the effect will wear off within a few hours. In the event of a severe response, seek medical attention immediately.
The symptoms associated with eating highly potent edibles are generally far worse than smoking marijuana.
Consuming edibles does not have to be too prescriptive, but there are a few things to consider before indulging. Because the effects of edibles can last up to five hours (far longer than smoking a joint), it’s critical to plan ahead of time and clear your schedule.
Keeping some sublingual CBD-only products available to help mitigate the negative effects of THC if things should go wrong. It’s also a good idea to keep non-medicated snacks on hand so you don’t continually grab your dosed chocolate bar when the snacks hit.
Have fun, and remember the golden rule: Start low and slow now that you’re comfy, safe, and stocked up on snacks.
