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A cannabis edible is a type of food or drink that contains any amount of marijuana. Edibles are a slower process but are ultimately cheaper and more convenient for getting high.
There are different types of edibles; THC and CBD edibles will have different effects, for example. Therefore, it’s essential to know what you’re buying before showing up at a dispensary so you can have the best experience possible.
Read on to find out why edibles are just so magical.
How to Eat Edibles
Using edibles may seem as simple as binging on a few brownies to get the desired high, but eating an edible can go wrong really fast without proper planning.
Pick Your Amount
Cannabis in edibles is measured using milligrams (mg) not grams. The milligram is the standard measurement for most drugs. Therefore, be very careful when choosing the amount you want to intake, and make sure you stick to that amount.
Although it may seem like eating two cookies instead of one is not a big deal, you’ll later realize you’re much higher than you had hoped. It’s best to avoid any pot-infused edibles that have unknown amounts of cannabis in them.
<5 mg THC
This range is the smallest amount of THC available for edibles. Don’t expect a substantial high from this amount of THC; however, if you are hoping to relieve stress, pain, or insomnia, this might be the amount you seek.
5-20 mg THC
In this range of THC, users will experience the high. Most people ask for this amount when they eat edibles. So try this amount if you’re hoping for an authentic edibles experience.
30-50 mg THC
If you have a higher tolerance, then you might want to try this amount instead. This range will heavily affect the brain and induce a solid high. Certainly don’t make plans to leave the couch after eating one of these.
>50 mg THC
An edible with more than 50 mg is going to be an extremely hard hitter. Most dispensaries will not sell anything over 100. We only recommend this amount for those with an incredibly high tolerance or those with chronic pain.
Take It Slow
A little goes a long way with edibles. It’s best to pace yourself while eating an edible so you don’t overwhelm your brain. Make sure to drink plenty of water while you wait. If you’re extra hungry, maybe order a pizza to keep your stomach happy.
Be Patient
Unfortunately, this is going to take a while. Edibles can take as much as two hours to start working. Wait two hours before eating any more pot-infused food, so you don’t get too high. After that, you can eat or smoke more weed if you’re still not feeling it.
Popular Types of Edibles
There are many different types of edibles. However, these are some of the more popular ones:
Cannabutter
Hoping to eat cannabis brownies, cookies, or even a steak dinner? Cannabutter is the most popular way to infuse food with pot. Making butter with cannabis extracts the cannabinoids from the marijuana plant and attaches them to the fats in butter.
The best part about cannabutter is that you can put cannabutter in anything. So although it might take a while to make, you can store it up and use it for weeks in any type of food that you can imagine.
The only downside is that cannabutter is not known for tasting great. But hopefully, the delicious food that it’s on will alleviate the unpleasant flavor a bit.
Gummies
It’s like you’re a kid all over again, except you’re baked out of your mind. Gummies are growing in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re compact, delicious, and efficient.
Gummies are also the best option when you’re hoping to eat an edible for medicinal reasons. You can buy them in containers that look just like your multivitamin and pop one before bed for the best night’s sleep in your life. CBD gummies are also extremely popular for pain and insomnia.
Drinks
Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are all perfect for infusing with a bit of the devil’s lettuce. You can either make these drinks using cannabis oil, chocolate, or honey. But, of course, nothing is as perfect for your bubble bath as a steaming cup of “herbal” tea. Here are the best cannabis drinks and some awesome weed wine.
Difference Between Edibles and Smoking
If you’re new to the world of edibles, you’re probably wondering how they stack up against just smoking weed.
Smokeless
One of the downsides of smoking weed is the nasty coughing that follows. Some people swear off weed after experiencing watery eyes and a coughing fit. Edibles are the solution to that problem. Not only will your lungs be very thankful, but also you can get high without ever having to leave the couch. Also, mom won’t yell at you for the dank smell in your basement anymore.
Different Type of High
Although the type of strain you consume plays a huge part in this, it’s common to experience a different kind of high after eating edibles. For example, it’s possible to have a more trippy psychedelic high after smoking, while edibles will make you feel sedated and relaxed.
Also, smoking will provide a high that usually lasts two to three hours, while edibles can last up to six!
Amount of Waiting Time
After puffing on a joint, bong, or pipe, you will begin to notice a distinct high either immediately or within minutes. Some stoners get frustrated because an edible can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in. Like any drug, cannabis ingested through the stomach will take longer to enter the bloodstream, much like how it takes a little while for Tylenol to start working.
How Much Do Edibles Cost?
The price of edibles varies widely and is different based on the amount of THC, type of edible, and product quality. You can buy edibles for as cheap as $5 or as expensive as $100.
Because the product is easier to make and store, edibles may be slightly cheaper than buying the flower. However, edibles don’t stay fresh as long as regular bud, so keep that in mind while stocking up.
How to Make Your Own
Can you make edibles in your home? Short answer: Absolutely! As long as you don’t mind the smell of weed in your kitchen for a few hours. Cooking weed in an oven is time-consuming and smelly but can be a fun activity for you and your friends.
Cooking inspiration for cannabis-infused food is everywhere. We’re talking weed cookbooks in your local bookstore, and Pinterest pages full of recipes. There’s even a cooking show on Netflix all about pot-infused deliciousness.
You can check out our recipes make sure to download our free Cocktails and Cannabis Recipes book for cooking ideas.
Final Thoughts
As legal cannabis grows in popularity, the usage of edibles will continue to climb. Back in the ’90s, you might get lucky if you get to try a “special brownie.” Now there are more options than ever before, and best of all, it’s never been easier to control how much you eat at a time.
If you’re new to weed or are looking for an alternative method to smoking, edibles may be the answer you’ve been craving. Happy munching!
