2022 Guide to Edibles

There are many glorious ways to consume cannabis. Some prefer a good old joint, while others opt for a pipe, a bong, or an edible. For the longest time, cannabis users in America used to bake their edibles at home. Unfortunately, the dosage was never precise, and no matter how hard you try, you’ll never know just how many milligrams of THC you’re consuming. In this guide to edibles, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about consuming cannabis infused foods!

Now, with the legalization of recreational cannabis in many states across the country, there are professional kitchens that make weed-infused foods and drinks. And let me tell you, they are nothing like your mom’s pot brownies. These edibles are precise, potent, and often quite delicious. However, they are safe to consume, given the quality processing standards. And it’s not only professional kitchens that are cranking out these weed-infused products. You can find them in dispensaries, bakeries, cafes, and more.

In this guide, we’ll explore all things weed edibles. From how they work to the different types you can find on the market today.

What are edibles?

Edibles are food and drinks that contain active THC. Making edibles begins with either plant parts or oil, which goes through heating and chemical alteration. This creates items with cannabinoids (THC being the main one) that most people know as marijuana. These altered psychoactive substances can be easily consumed by the body when eaten or drank.

Cannabis edibles have been around for ages. We’re not the first generation to consume them by any means. In fact, ancient civilizations like the European and Indians used cannabis in their food and drinks for religious and medical purposes.

For example:

In past centuries, women in Eastern Europe occasionally gave their children these types of sweets for medicinal purposes. Additionally, evidence suggests that bhaang, a psychoactive drink, has been consumed in India since 2000 BC for spiritual purposes. Likewise, in western countries that are more liberal towards its use, cannabis has been infused in beverages like soda and desserts like brownies and pastries.

However, despite its long history, eating edibles has only gained traction in the last ten years. This is because, with commercialization, edibles have become a safer way of consuming food infused with cannabis. 

What should you know if you’re new to edibles?

Everyone has a different journey consuming edibles. While most recreational cannabis consumers aim to reach a high and feel its effects, their reaction to the THC in it is unique. 

The best way to find out which edible would suit your body is to speak to an experienced budtender. They will be able to have an honest conversation with you where you can open up about your past experiences and future expectations. Once you inform your budtender of any allergies or food intolerances, they’ll guide you in the right direction. But for now, we’ll run through the basics.

Tips for Eating Edibles

First time consuming an edible? No problem, we’ve all been there. Even if you’ve heard horror stories, we promise it’s not as bad as it seems. Here are some tips that will help you have a fantastic edible cannabis experience:

• Start with a small dose — Smaller doses tend to be more manageable, especially if you’re new to edibles. You can always eat more, but you can’t un-eat an edible!
• Understand your THC ratio — When you purchase lab-tested marijuana edibles from a dispensary, you’ll see the amount of THC and CBD they contain. Because everyone has a different tolerance level, knowing how much THC or how many milligrams in your cannabis edible is critical.
• Go slow and low — As you explore cannabis infused foods, experts suggest that new edible users follow the “start low, go slow” rule. You should start with edibles that have 5 mg or less of THC content. This way, the high won’t last long if it’s too strong for you. 
• Give it time — Experts suggest waiting at least 2 hours — After consuming your cannabis edible, the effects can take up to 2 hours to kick in. So, if you don’t feel anything immediately, don’t assume it’s not working and eat more. You may end up overeating and having an unpleasant edible experience.
• Learn about the product — Not every edible is created equal, so learn how edibles work. This way, you can better understand how your chosen product will affect you. Since THC is a psychoactive element, experts suggest you dabble in products with a 1:1 ratio of CBD and THC — this makes for balanced edibles.

Types of Cannabis Edibles

There are two types of cannabis-laced edibles.

• Sublingual edibles — This edible is either sucked on or placed under your tongue. The idea is that the cannabinoids are absorbed by the mouth tissue and enter the bloodstream. It is a fast-acting product that will lead to you feeling the effects within a short time. This can look like liquid edibles, which can be tinctures or oils.
• Gastrointestinal edibles — These are edibles that are chewed on and swallowed. It takes longer to digest and feel the effects. It takes about 90 minutes to feel the high from gastrointestinal edibles. You need to be patient with this edible; give it time to kick, or you risk consuming too much.

How are edibles different from other forms of administering cannabis?

When cannabis is smoked or vaped, it enters the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. You can feel the effect in 15 minutes of taking the first drag. Smoking or vaping can be harsh on your lungs and can result in respiratory problems.

Edibles are digested and metabolized in the lungs and then enter the bloodstream. So the effects are felt for at least three hours. Edibles have a more potent and effective high than other administration forms.

How effective are edibles?

Edibles typically tend to be stronger than other cannabis products because of how they are metabolized or broken down by the body.

In the case of smoking cannabis, the active compounds are absorbed by the lungs and quickly enter the bloodstream. They find their way to fatty tissues of the brain and connect with the receptor cells. It takes about 30 minutes to feel high, and the high lasts approximately three hours.

On the other hand, activated cannabis products are different. Your stomach and intestinal tract first digest the edible. The enzymes in the liver metabolize it and break down the THC, following which the effects are felt. When eaten, the THC is transformed into a powerful compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC is smaller than THC and enters the brain quickly. For this reason, an edible is considered more potent and long-lasting than other cannabis products.

What is the ideal dose of THC you should consume to get high?

The proper dosage of THC in an edible depends on the type of cannabis extract, the user’s tolerance level, body weight, and metabolism (don’t do it on an empty stomach). As a beginner, it is advisable to start at 2.5 milligrams. This is half the dosage dispensaries usually sell.

How many edibles does that mean?

This will depend on the THC concentration of your product. For example, let’s say you have a 100-milligram THC edible candy bar that is portioned into 10 pieces. This means there is 10-mg in each piece. So, starting with half a piece or 5 milligrams of THC is advisable if you’re a beginner. So it would make sense to go for something smaller like gummies or half or a quarter of an edible. Chocolate bars are also an option as they can be easily broken into smaller pieces.

Are there any benefits of consuming edibles?

Smoking marijuana for medical and recreational purposes is hard on the lungs and can cause respiratory problems. In addition, it negatively affects asthma patients. Edibles are a healthier alternative as there is no smoking involved, which means there is no inflammation of the air pathways of your lungs.

Edibles also allow you to be more discreet when consuming cannabis as they don’t leave a trace. It is also low maintenance compared to vapes and bongs.

The other big benefit of edibles is that they help you understand the precise dosage you are consuming. You don’t realize exactly how much cannabis you are consuming while smoking. If you’re purchasing edibles from a licensed dispensary, you know the exact THC profile, formulation and flavor you will be consuming. So there won’t be any surprises.

Cannabis edibles have other wonderful benefits, such as:

• Helping you sleep.
• Easing chronic pain.
• Improving appetite.
• Helping with nausea.

What are the adverse effects of edibles?

Even if you’ve had too many cannabis edibles, you can’t overdose on them. While your edible high might make you uncomfortable, these symptoms will subside after some time. Some adverse effects of consuming edibles in excess include:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Red eyes
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Hallucinations 
• Slow movements or impaired motor ability

What should you do if you have consumed one too many edibles?

If you feel you have consumed edibles in excess, try not to panic and let time pass. Overdoing cannabis will not harm your system. Instead, try the following activities to distract yourself and keep your mood a bit upbeat:

• Lie down and relax.
• Listen to soothing music.
• Consume CBD if you have it, as it counters the effects of THC.
• Peppercorn balls reduce THC-induced anxiety, so chew on some of them.
• Go out and get some fresh air. If you’re going a distance, go with a friend for safety.

Is it possible not to feel the effects of edibles for first-time users?

Sometimes, you might not feel the effect of an edible even when you have waited for two hours. This is called the “first-pass metabolism.” The liver enzymes are known for cleaning unwanted compounds from the body.

The liver enzymes could clean THC from the body instead of breaking it down. So, for example, if you have a small meal containing avocado or cheese before consuming an edible, you reduce the chances of the “first-pass metabolism.” 

What is the cost of edible cannabis?

A cannabis-infused food product containing 100 mg THC costs about $20. However, the cost differs across different product types. This is because the cost of ingredients used in the product will determine its price. Moreover, a cannabis-infused drink will cost you less than $10, while cannabis-infused chocolates will cost you around $20. 

The cost will also depend on the dispensary where you are purchasing it. Some areas have standardized pricing, while others have ongoing discounts on cannabis infused food products.

How can you make edible cannabis at home?

Cooking with cannabis is easy and can be done with little guidance. Some like taking the DIY homemade edibles route as it’s convenient. The best way to activate cannabis is by infusing it with cooking oil. Cannabis compounds quickly melt into fatty material, so cooking oil is a suitable ingredient. A favorite is coconut oil!

When desserts and “pot brownies” are made potent, the butter, oil, or milk is infused with cannabis over low heat to activate the compound. Similarly, you can also activate dry cannabis in the oven at shallow temperatures. However, if the temperatures are high, the cannabis will burn off and remain inactive. Thus, temperatures should remain below 340ºF.

How to safely consume edibles?

According to most US State laws, edibles should contain between 10-15 milligrams of THC or CBD for adult use. However, if you’re trying edibles for the first time, starting with edibles having 5 milligrams of THC or even lower is safer. Better to have too little than too much cannabis for your first go around.

Some states also prohibit specific shapes and types of cannabis edibles that should be available to consumers. For example, it is against Colorado’s laws to sell edibles shaped like regular candies. Most legal dispensaries are likely to abide by these regulations, ensuring you have a safer experience. Dosage for medical cannabis edibles is determined by the doctor based on your medical condition and the treatment. 

Can edibles expire?

Yes, most edibles are perishable products, so they have a shelf life. Packaged edibles have an expiry date written clearly. If the edible is homemade, it can last for about a week. If you don’t consume the edible immediately, you can wrap it in plastic or foil and place it in the freezer. You can smell your edible before consuming it. If it has a foul smell, it’s best not to eat it.

How can you have the best experience with edibles?

With help from this guide to cannabis edibles, you can have a great time trying out different types of edibles! But really, follow our advice and add a bit of your own twist to it to make the experience even better. Remember to start with a low dose!

Marijuana Edibles Crafted with Care

Body and Mind offer hand-crafted cannabis of the highest quality. Our customers can choose from a variety of strains and product types, including:

• Pretzel Bites — Perfect for those who crave both sweet and salty snacks, these half-dipped pretzels are sure to satisfy. Each one contains 10 mg of THC for the perfect high.
•  Krispy Bites — these gooey bites contain up to 10 mg of cannabis.
• Chocolate Bites — These decadent white chocolate and cookie crumble sweets are a must-try.

Our infused edibles are sure to uplift your day. So whether you are having a party with your friends or are simply unwinding after a long week, our delicious weed-infused treats will be the perfect addition.

Apart from baked goods and desserts, you can also find potent drinks and gummies at Body and Mind, such as:

• Uncle Arnie’s Apple Juice — This is best served chilled, and you can measure the dose too! It takes about 20 minutes to feel the effects.
• Uncle Arnie’s Iced Lemonade — This sweet, sour drink is perfect for long, hot summer days. 
• Kiva treats — Kiva’s fruit-flavored gummies come in various flavors, each with its corresponding effect. For example, some flavors may induce a euphoric high without anxiety, while others may promote a soothing and stress-free slumber. Choose the flavor that best fits your needs.

Body and Mind Cannabis Products

If you want to purchase a cannabis product, you can visit any of our dispensaries in California, Arkansas, Ohio, Nevada, or Michigan. Whether you need help finding the perfect product or know exactly what you’re looking for, our expert guides will be there to assist you every step of the way. Of course, you can also order directly from our online store.

Body and Mind ships across the United States, so you can enjoy our products no matter where you are.