Although the selection of cannabis edibles for sale in modern dispensaries continues to expand and gain in popularity, inexperienced consumers can easily over-indulge and suffer a bad experience.
An edible is any food product that contains cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD). There are brownies, cookies, chocolates, hard candies, gummies, tonics, sparkling water and so much more on the shelves of most larger dispensaries. Edibles with strong flavor profiles, such as a citrus gummy or chocolate don’t taste all that much like cannabis. Those with higher potency usually taste more like the plant. For beginners, it’s best to start with a low potency, get familiar with dosing and slowly work your way up. Everything from the type of edible consumed, metabolism and tolerance levels influence the time it takes to feel the effects and how long they last. In general, edibles take from 45 minutes to two hours for effects to fully kick in. Liquid edibles such as ginger ale, coffee or tea have quicker effects, often within fifteen minutes to an hour. It’s recommended to wait at least two hours before consuming a second dose. Keep in mind that the effects are typically more intense than with other consumption methods. This is because the cannabinoids are absorbed through the digestive tract. Plus, the effects can last up to eight hours. When you start shopping at the dispensary for edibles to try, look for those with lower THC levels and higher CBD percentages. Read the instructions and begin with the lowest dose and never exceed the recommended dose.