Cannabis edibles are cannabis-infused products that you can eat or drink. Virtually any food can be infused with cannabis, from baked goods like brownies and cookies to hard candies to hot and cold beverages. As such, edibles offer a delicious way to consume marijuana in comparison to that of smoking. In fact, edibles are becoming the most popular method of consuming marijuana. Of course, it’s not hard to see why!
Cannabis edibles are typically made by infusing cannabis with cooking oil or butter, making canna-oil or canna-butter. These can then be used to make a variety of edible foods. With that said, marijuana edibles can be potent and unpredictable given that rates of absorption differ so readily. Here are four important facts about marijuana edibles.
What should I know about cannabis edibles?
Cannabis Edibles Are More Potent
Cannabis edibles are actually much more potent than regular marijuana. The reason is due to the psychoactive component found in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC and the way it converts in the body. Once it’s consumed, it changes into a different substance in the liver that delivers effects that are twice as strong and also last twice as long as when marijuana is inhaled. Essentially, the liver breaks down the THC and converts it into a more powerful chemical called 11-hydroxy-THC. Keep in mind that the effects of edibles can be particularly great on an empty stomach, so it’s always best to consume edibles with other food. On top of this, it also takes our bodies longer to process cannabis when it is ingested instead of being inhaled as it is slowly absorbed through the stomach and intestinal tracts. With smoking, peak blood levels happen in as little as 3 to 10 minutes. Again, this is because THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs, reaching the brain mere seconds after. Ultimately, the effects of consuming the edibles don’t become immediately apparent, which can cause people to eat more, as you will see below. This is especially true since edibles tend to taste quite pleasant. This is a common mistake that many people make. They consume too much, which can result in unpleasant and uncomfortable effects. As such, it’s imperative that users start out with a low dose (typically between 2-5mg of THC) and wait to see how they react once the cannabis is completely metabolized. It takes six hours for the edibles to be thoroughly metabolized and users should not take any more until this amount of time has passed, especially in the beginning.
Marijuana Edibles Deliver Very Long-Lasting Effects
As you saw above, the effects of marijuana edibles can last twice as long as smoking or vaporizing cannabis due to the fact that it gets converted into a more potent chemical. What you may or may not know is just how long these effects can last. Depending on the dosage, the effects of consuming marijuana edibles can last anywhere between 4 and 12 hours. Keep in mind, this is just a rough estimate and it varies greatly, patient to patient.
Users Feel The Effects of Edibles At Different Rates
Users also feel the effects of marijuana edibles at very different rates after consuming them given the unpredictability of absorption, which is different for everyone. On average, effects are felt somewhere between 30 to 90 minute after the edibles are eaten. Essentially, the edibles have to be digested first.Some, however, don’t notice the effects for more than three hours. These effects can peak as many as 2 and 6 hours later. The effects will also differ based on a variety of individual factors, from age, gender, metabolism, weight and fitness level. Whether or not you have consumed edibles in the past will also influence the effects. What’s more, effects can vary on an individual and daily basis.
There Are No Recorded Cases People Overdosing on Edibles
While it is still important to determine the ways in which your individual body reacts to various amounts of edibles before eating too many of them, know that even if you consume too much, there have been zero recorded cases of people overdosing on marijuana edibles. It can certainly make you feel uncomfortable, but the effects are not fatal.
Where Can I Get Marijuana Edibles?
As of October 17, 2019, Licensed Producers have been able to submit their edible products and topicals to Health Canada to be approved for sale to consumers and patients. There are quite strict rules surrounding the maximum amount of THC that is allowed in each packaged item, which is set at 10mg per packaged piece. Patients are also still able to make their own edibles using oil or dry marijuana purchased from a licensed provider. In the case of dry marijuana, it can be made into a cannabis-infused oil or butter, which can be used in baking and cooking, as you saw above. The benefit of homemade baked goods is that users can control how much they want to use, as well as the ingredients. Edibles have definitely come a long way, as Licensed Producers have worked to ensure both top quality products and ingredients are used.
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