A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis Edibles
Are you planning to give cannabis edibles a try?
Marijuana is no stranger to 49% of American adults. The gradual increase in the number of states legalizing marijuana boosts the herb’s popularity.
Despite the public’s acceptance, you may be asking, “what are cannabis edibles?” and “how much should I consume?” After all, lacking this knowledge could result in improper dosage.
Do you want a good starting point? Read on below for a beginner’s guide to weed edibles.
What Are Cannabis Edibles?
They are food products containing different amounts of cannabis. They start to work once the body digests and metabolizes them with the liver. The cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will travel to the brain and yield many positive effects.
CBD and THC are the two most prevalent active ingredients in weed. THC is the one that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. THC levels also determine if a cannabis product is legal or not.
Marijuana products with at least 0.3% THC content are technically illegal inside the U.S. When buying cannabis edibles, the first thing to ask is the product’s THC content. Anything beyond the 0.3% THC threshold can lead to stiff penalties.
The Different Types of Cannabis Edibles
Cannabis edibles come in different forms, shapes, and sizes. The common thing about all of them is that they’re less-detectable alternatives to smoking weed. Some of the most common types of cannabis edibles include candies, oils, baked goods, and beverages.
These products come as brownies, cookies, and biscuits. Meanwhile, others can be gummies, lollipops, and hard candies. Coffees, sodas, teas, and energy drinks are the most common cannabis beverages.
You can also find sugar, butter, and syrups containing weed. These products come with ingredients mixed with marijuana leaves. Some of them feature higher potency cannabis extracts. Edibles from trusted sources indicate the THC levels on the packaging.
Things may get blurry once you take them out of the packaging. You can mistake cannabis edibles for usual food products. For example, brownies with cannabis leaves will still look like your average brownies.
You may also wonder about the safety of these edibles. The effects still depend on the amount of THC in the product. Most edibles will tell you the THC or CBD in a single serving.
A gummy usually comes with 10mg of THC. The tricky part is the way the manufacturers present the numbers. A company may say a pack of gummies has 100 mg of THC.
In such cases, check the contents of the package. Ten pieces of gummies in a pack that says it contains 100 mg of THC means each gummy comes with 10 mg of THC.
The Health Benefits of Edibles
Cannabis edibles have a large following due to their various advantages. After all, they lack respiratory risks. Regular marijuana smoking may lead to bronchitis and lung inflammation.
Edibles also offer longer-lasting effects. The body absorbs marijuana smoke faster as it goes straight to your lungs. However, it stays in the body for a shorter period.
On the flip side, edibles will stay in your system long after digestion. It is one of the reasons why people who don’t smoke prefer edibles. Cancer patients and people managing pain also pick edibles for ease of use.
Eating edibles can help reduce cancer symptoms like pain, discomfort, nausea, and loss of appetite. Experts have yet to conclude that cannabis can cure cancer.
However, some test results look promising. Cannabinoids in THC may isolate and eliminate cancer cells. Studies also show the benefits of ingesting cannabis for patients with anxiety and depression.
Marijuana contains high levels of antioxidants that help fight free radicals and stress. They may also protect the body from developing blood vessel diseases.
Raw cannabis comes with iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, and Calcium. Processing the weed may reduce the potency of these vitamins and minerals. However, you’ll still get some amounts into your body.
Potential Side-Effects
As a beginner, you should also be aware of the possible side effects of edibles. Taking them in the right amount will not result in harmful side effects. It’s when you go beyond that problems start to appear.
Some of the reported side effects of cannabis THC overdose include cognitive and motor impairment. Others experience agitation and extreme sedation. Meanwhile, severe cases include delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis.
You can feel the effects of edibles 30 to 60 minutes after eating. The time varies depending on different factors.
Meanwhile, CBD overdose can lead to diarrhea and tiredness. You may also notice changes in your weight and appetite.
Tips for First-Time Users
Be careful when buying edibles. Check the reputation of your possible sources by researching their backgrounds.
The safest way is to buy from trusted medical marijuana dispensaries. These sources offer products coming from high-quality cannabis plants.
Beginners should be careful when taking cannabis edibles for the first time. The proper dosage depends on your tolerance, age, weight, and metabolism.
Start at 1 to 2.5mg before adding the same amount on the next one. Wait for at least two hours before taking another dose.
Never take the edibles with other substances, including alcohol. Considering the risk of overdose, don’t take them when you’re alone. Avoid leaving them on the table if you have children at home. Children consuming gummies and brownies with weed could end up in the hospital.
Consult with your doctor about your plans. Your medical practitioner should tell you if the edibles may pose problems with your preexisting medical conditions. They’ll also say if the edibles will interfere with your medications and supplements.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Now
Now you know the basics of cannabis edibles. Use the knowledge to look for products from reputable sources. You can consult with your doctor and ask for advice regarding the proper dosage.
However, buying quality edibles becomes easy with a medical marijuana card.
Connect with us and schedule a visit. Let’s register your card and enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana today!