Got your hands on some indica hybrid seeds and are hoping to grow your own? What if you don’t smoke but want to enjoy the host of potential benefits the juicy buds contain? Or maybe you want to try a new consumption method. Make way for the marijuana edible.
The world of weed food is vast. There are brownies, gummies, drinks, gourmet meals, and so much more! Sometimes, though, something stands in the way of you devouring an edible and all its delicious goodness—you worry about the effects.
Fear not—we’ve got your back. Read on for our quick facts to understand how to eat cannabis edibles safely and enjoy everything they offer.
Reading the Label Is a Must
If you make weed food at home, you know what’s going into your edible. It’s a different story when you buy a ready-made product. The appearance and ingredients of commercial edibles vary greatly, including how much CBD and THC are inside.
You don’t want to plan on enjoying CBD edibles to avoid feeling ‘high’ only to find it contains lots of THC.
It’s also a good idea to opt for products that contain only organic cannabis. This way, you know no harmful agents are lurking inside.
Effects Take Longer to Kick In
If you smoke cannabis, you know the buzz starts to take effect within 15 minutes. The same can’t be said for edibles. After enjoying a bite of your delicious brownie, you might be tempted for another—be patient.
Eating cannabis can take up to two hours for you to feel anything. Whether you consume edible medicinal gummies or a homemade weed treat, watch the dosage.
When you become impatient or think the first mouthful didn’t work, you might take a second. Soon, both doses kick in, and you’re in over your head. You may feel anxious, dizzy, or nauseous—don’t worry, these symptoms are only temporary.
Enjoy your first bite and wait at least two hours before having another to avoid unwanted side effects.
Dosing Right
So, how much is the correct dosage? Start with as low as 1 to 2.5 mg of CBD or THC if it’s your first time eating a weed treat. Increase the amount only if needed. Most people experience the desired effects with 5 and 10 mg.
If you consume edibles often, a moderate dose would be 10 to 15 mg, with 20 to 30 mg being very high. It takes a little trial and error to find the ideal amount—but always start small.
Try ready-made products with the dosage on the label to know exactly what you’re consuming. Homemade edibles are much easier to overeat.
Expect a Longer Experience
Just like the effects take a while to come on, they also stick around for much longer. You usually enjoy the buzz for 2–4 hours when you smoke or vape. With all types of weed edibles, the effects last around 12 hours—some consumers say residual sensations linger up to 24!
The longer duration is ideal for medical marijuana patients who ingest cannabis to help with pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. These individuals usually take high CBD weed to experience long-lasting relief without psychoactive sensations.
Clear your schedule if you plan to make your own high THC edibles. This mind-altering compound of cannabis can make it challenging to perform your regular tasks. Save these treats for the weekend when you have nothing planned.
More Intense Than Inhaling
Weed affects everyone differently, but many anecdotal reports suggest edibles produce more intense feelings than smoking or vaping. This is at least true for high THC treats.
The stronger effects may be due to how your liver processes THC, making it even more potent. Your body now has to handle the original form of the cannabinoid ingested plus the stronger variation produced by the organ.
The intense experience is why a beginner to the marijuana edible world should eat no more than 2.5 mg. Once you get used to the effects, increase your dose if necessary.
Storage Is Important
When you bake a batch of canna brownies or cookies, you’ll notice they look exactly the same as a non-weed version. If you leave them on the worktop, it’s not only you that’ll find them enticing—kids will too.
Store your edibles somewhere your children, pets, or even visitors can’t find them. Keep them in an airtight container and add a label, so you know what’s inside. If you have a place you can lock them away, do. It’s better to be safe than take an unexpected trip to the ER.
Edibles Aren’t Always Legal
Recreational cannabis is legal in many states, and medicinal marijuana is allowed in even more. In some parts of the country, though, you can’t consume weed. If cannabis isn’t permitted where you live, you can’t cook up a tasty treat in your kitchen.
Are edible cannabinoids legal in your state? Read up on local laws to stay in the loop. If you can legally consume medical marijuana, your health care provider can discuss edibles with you. In some regions, ready-made products are available to buy with an exact dose.
In states where recreational use is legal, the kitchen is your oyster. As long as you abide by the rules and regulations, you can bake, stew, or fry your marijuana how you like.
Cannabis cultivation is also allowed in many parts of the country, so why not grow your own? Chowing down on brownies made with a homegrown product is even more satisfying.
Your Choice to Make
Are edibles fun? They can be. There’s a lot of enjoyment and potential wellness benefits to a tasty marijuana treat. Stick to the correct dosage and wait for the effects to kick in for the optimal experience.
Check if weed is legal where you live to bake a batch of cookies and keep them safely stored. Grow your own, whip up an edible, and enjoy!
Jennifer Gallagher
Jennifer Gallagher, an experienced cannabis grower at SeedSupreme Seedbank. During a 7-year career in the marijuana growing business, Jennifer has gained a high competence in this field. As far as weed is concerned, she knows it all inside out. Jennifer is an expert in pot-growing, as well as cannabis types and their effects. She’s also familiar with all legislation nuances.