Cannabis edibles are a popular smoke-free option for incorporating cannabis into your life but fully understanding their effects is crucial. This blog outlines a few key things that will help ensure you have an enjoyable time and don’t overindulge.
Start low and go slow
Recommended starting dose is 2.5mg to 5mg THC. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel effects from “traditional” edibles such as gummies or chocolate. When taking “traditional” edibles, the person is absorbing THC through the stomach, intestinal tract, and liver. Everyone’s digestion works differently, similar to everyone having a different metabolism. If you have IBS or stomach issues, edibles may not work the same way for you or you may require a larger dose.
Read the label
All cannabis edible packaging contains specific dosage guidelines for consumers to follow. The edible may come in individual servings (like a gummie) or is scored so they can be broken into pieces (like a chocolate bar). You always want to start with the lowest dose and work your way up. Try one piece, wait and see what that does. If there are no desired effects after 2 hours, increase dose with a little more, maybe ½ a piece, then wait 2 hours again. If still no desired effects, you will want to wait 12 to 24 hours for your system to “reset” then try increasing the dose again. There can be a big difference in the effects of 5mg, 7.5mg or 10mg etc. As you ingest more edibles, your tolerance may change over time.
Not all edibles are created equal
Edibles such as mints, popsicles, and drinks are absorbed differently. Mints are absorbed sublingually (under the tongue) in the mucus membrane of the mouth. This means they bypass the stomach/liver and you could possibly have quicker or more potent effects. Popsicles and drinks are easier to digest since they are liquid, thus may also cause quicker or stronger effects than the same dose of a solid edible. Always take your edible with food Taking an edible on an empty stomach means the product will move through your system faster and you may not absorb it properly. When you take it with food (especially fatty foods), it will slow down the digestion and you will be able to absorb more of the edibles. THC binds with fat, so fattier foods like avocados, cheese, and nuts can help to give you better effects when consumed with your edibles.
Plan ahead
The effects from edibles can be evident for between 4 and 8 hours with peak effects occurring 2 to 3 hours after consumption. Because of the longevity of the effects, it is important to plan before eating an edible. Never get behind the wheel while under the influence and if you need to go somewhere, use a designated driver instead. Always keep edibles locked away so that others, including children and pets, do not unknowingly indulge in them.