Cannabis edibles, have you tried them? Are you thinking about trying them? No matter if you already enjoy edibles or are considering giving them a try, this deep dive into cannabis-infused edibles is sure to help give you a better understanding of these products. Just like cannabis, cannabis edibles have grown in popularity in recent years.
People enjoy cannabis-infused edibles for a multitude of different reasons. Unlike the days of yesteryear when you would get a hold of a pot brownie or cookie and were not exactly sure just how strong it would be, today, you have peace of mind. That peace of mind comes from buying cannabis-infused edibles on the legal market or making them yourself with cannabis that has testing results telling you the strength or allowing you to calculate the potency yourself. However, cannabis edibles aren’t just brownies these days, and not all of them produce intoxicating effects, thanks to the innovation and progression of the cannabis culture and industry.
The cannabis industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry. While it is quite difficult to pinpoint the exact value associated with the legal cannabis industry, some figures estimate cannabis edible sales alone to be in the hundreds of millions, some say they could reach $11 billion by 2025, but one thing everyone seems to be able to agree on is that people love cannabis edibles.
The cannabis industry is currently predicted to exceed a worth of $33 billion dollars by the end of this year. Statistics show that experts predict a 32% increase compared to 2021. Some analysts believe that annual sales of legal cannabis in the US will exceed $52 billion within the next 3.5 years.
Cannabis-infused infusions come in a variety of different strengths ranging from 5 mg to 1,000 mg or more. They also come in a variety of different flavors and textures. From chewy fruity gummy treats to caramel, chocolate, popcorn, cheese puffs, and more, cannabis-infused edibles are a hit! Let’s get ready to explore the world of cannabis edibles and see just what they’re all about.
Cannabis-infused edibles or cannabis edibles, or simply edibles, refer to foods that have cannabis added to them. Cannabis can be added to just about any type of food. Typically, these products also come with intoxicating effects. However, this isn’t always the case. The term cannabis also refers to a variety of the plant called hemp. Hemp is legal in the United States as long as it has 0.3% THC or less. Hemp contains other cannabinoids but does not produce intoxicating effects. Most of the time, edibles produced from hemp are CBD edibles. We’ll dive more into THC vs. CBD edibles here in a few.
Smoking or vaping cannabis produces results almost simultaneously. With a few hits of a joint, bowl, blunt, bong, or a couple of puffs off your dry herb vaporizer or vape pen, you can catch a buzz with THC products. Cannabis-infused edibles are different. Unlike vaping or smoking cannabis that reaches the bloodstream virtually as you consume, edibles break down in the stomach before they begin to take effect.
After you eat an edible, it takes an average of 15 to 45 minutes for the digestion process to begin depending on variant factors such as weight, metabolism, and the last time you ate. Once the edible has broken down inside the stomach, it’s passed on to the digestive system, where the body processes the cannabinoids from the edible. Most people will begin to feel the effects of edibles they’ve consumed within approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Once cannabinoids are processed by the digestive system, they make their way throughout the body, binding to CB1, CB2, and other receptors. When this occurs, the effects of cannabis-infused edibles begin to take effect. Some research suggests that the average time frame of intoxicating effects from edibles is around 6 to 8 hours, with a peak after approximately 3 hours.
Delta 9 THC edibles are quite possibly the most popular. They are created using all kinds of different varieties of premium cannabis. In many cases, edibles are made using extracts like distillate or infused coconut oil. The testing and versatility make this a great way to infuse all kinds of tasty treats with cannabis.
These days, cannabinoids can be isolated. This means you can get products that are virtually pure Delta 9 THC. Many people will argue that products like this are not as effective as full-spectrum cannabis products that contain a wide array of a multitude of different cannabinoids versus high levels of one.
Delta 9 THC edibles definitely present the risk of intoxication. For this reason, let’s look at suggestions to help make it a pleasant experience!
There are some things you want to be aware of with cannabis edibles. If you’re new to them, remember to go slow. Sometimes it takes a few tries to figure out what works for you. Many suggest that new consumers only eat 5 to 10 mg of Delta-9-THC cannabis edibles in one serving. It’s recommended to wait about 2 hours before ingesting any more. This window allows you to see how the edible will treat you. If you did not feel enough effects from it, increase your dosage after waiting at least 2 hours or the next time you eat edibles. After a few times, you’ll know what’s right for you. This is way better than eating a 100mg candy bar and waking up 12-20 hours later, all refreshed and confused.
Should you ingest too much and find yourself a little too high or intoxicated, there are a few things you can do to help calm down or decrease your buzz. Eating food is a great way to help kill your buzz. Sleeping is another great way to come down from too much, but it is not always an option. If you have access to it, you can actually use more cannabis to help bring you down. That’s right, more cannabis, you heard what I said! Cannabis in the form of CBD, such as a CBD tincture, is said to counteract the psychoactive effects of Delta-9 THC. Another type of THC edible that has hit the market in recent months is Delta-8-THC edibles.
Delta 8 THC occurs in minuscule amounts naturally in cannabis. Delta 8 THC edibles are quickly growing in popularity, and like edibles with delta-9-THC, they pack intoxicating effects with their consumption. Consumers report the effects of Delta 8 THC being very similar and even stronger at times than those felt from Delta 9 THC.
In order to mass-produce delta-9-THC edibles, Delta-8 THC must first be created through a chemical process, seeing how it is only available in miniscule quantities naturally. To obtain Delta 8, CBD is introduced to glacial acetic acid for approximately 3 hours. During this time, CBD converts into Delta 9 THC. It then sits for an estimated 72 hours, where approximately half of that CBD converts into Delta 8 THC.
Glacial acetic acid is a food-grade acid and is considered to be a weak one. This gives many people a false sense of security. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), “Glacial acidic acid is a corrosive poison that can cause injury or death when human tissue is exposed to it.”
Delta 8 THC is currently banned and considered illegal in states like Colorado, New York, Nevada, Washington, and others. Delta 8 THC can be found everywhere in some places yet is restricted in some areas, banned in others, and receives the same treatment as Delta 9 in other places. If Delta-8 is made from CBD, which is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, doesn’t that make it legal? This is one of the confusing questions consumers are left with. Whether it’s legal or not, the safety concerns that glacial acetic acid pose should be enough to caution anyone about Delta-8 products, in this writer’s opinion.
Hydroxy 11 or 11-hydroxy-THC is sort of like a bonus round from cannabis edibles. Hydroxy 11, or the hydroxy 11 metabolite, is the active metabolite of THC. This compound, however, isn’t from cannabis, so to say, it is found in the body after consuming THC.
Some people find that edibles are extremely potent. This is due to the effects of 11-hydroxy THC. 11 hydroxy THC is said to be created as it passes through the body’s gastrointestinal tract and liver.
During this time, the body’s natural metabolic enzymes break down and modify things we ingest, such as cannabis edibles. In most instances, the byproduct of this process or metabolite produced is less active or less potent than the original source. This is not the case with 11-hydroxy-THC.
Research suggests that it is actually stronger than Delta-8 or Delta-9-THC. This means a consumer could feel the effects of a THC edible and then get a bonus round of even stronger effects. Many people have reported this occurring, especially when they eat large doses of edibles before sleeping. Some people refer to it as feeling weed drunk.
You might have a good tolerance for smoking or vaping cannabis. That doesn’t mean you’re going to have the same tolerance for consuming cannabis edibles. Remember that cannabis can treat everybody a little bit differently. This is why it is good advice to start low and slow with edibles and learn what dose does what for you. Then based on the desired results you are trying to achieve, you can take a calculated dose to make it possible.
Just like 11-hydroxy-THC can come on stronger than THC, cannabis-infused beverages with THC can hit faster and stronger too. The reason for this is that in many instances, beverage companies use water-soluble THC.
Cannabis-infused beverages are considered edible because they are ingested. A major difference with most cannabis-infused beverages, though, is they use water-soluble THC powder. Water-soluble THC powder is created most commonly through a process known as nano-emulsion, a process that employs ultrasonic waves to smash molecules.
A major problem that THC beverages faced was how THC mixes with water. THC binds to fat and can create consistency issues in beverages unless the process is perfected through the right research and development.
Cannabis beverages are quickly gaining popularity, becoming a go-to source for those who enjoy the feeling of edibles. Consistently, cannabis beverages are shown to produce effects quicker than cannabis edibles. This is because liquid digests quicker than solids. Some people who do not experience effects or very minimum effects from cannabis-infused edibles may experience a completely different set of effects from cannabis-infused beverages or cannabis-infused edibles made from water-soluble THC powder.
When it comes to cannabis beverages, just like cannabis edibles, it’s about more than catching a buzz. Many different varieties of low-dose THC cannabis beverages are available. Just as popular are CBD beverages. CBD seltzer, tea, water, and other beverages are beginning to rise in popularity. Just remember, if you decide to enjoy a cannabis beverage, you might be enjoying it a little sooner than you expected. Speaking of CBD, let’s take a closer look at the non-intoxicating cannabinoid-infused edibles that are being embraced by the masses and legal in nearly all 50 states!
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a non-psychoactive compound from cannabis. It is present in both recreational/medical cannabis as well as industrial hemp. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBD is not known to produce intoxicating effects. Still, CBD is said to have loads of potential benefits.
Many consumers report CBD working as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, and they also say it helps control symptoms of stress, anxiety, and more, much in the way that THC does. The difference is, no intoxicating effects. I guess to find out; one would simply have to try CBD for themselves!
CBD edibles are more than just a fad. They have withstood the test of time, which shows they must do something. While there are not sufficient studies or evidence to support medical claims for CBD in the eyes of the federal government, countless people globally seem to experience a multitude of different things from consuming this cannabinoid.
CBD edibles come in a wide variety, just like THC edibles. You can purchase CBD edibles just about anywhere these days. You can find them in grocery stores, gas stations, and online. Before you make any CBD purchase, make sure that it comes from a reputable source.
This means that certified lab testing results should be available to consumers at all times. In many instances, major brands looking to secure their spot as authoritative businesses in the legal CBD sector use multiple independent lab results to certify the authenticity of CBD products.
· Go low and slow with cannabis edibles. Consume only 5-10mg and wait to see how they affect you.
· CBD edibles do not produce intoxicating effects; THC edibles do.
· The effects of cannabis-infused beverages are felt quicker than those from cannabis-infused edibles.
· Most consumers and patients start to feel the effects of cannabis-infused edibles in roughly 30 minutes to 2 hours. However, beverages typically come on quicker, within 15-60 minutes on average.
· CBD may help counteract the effects of THC.
· A shower, eating food, exercise, and sleep are great ways to come down from a THC buzz.
· Only buy cannabis and cannabis products from reputable sources.
· Remember to always keep cannabis and cannabis products away from children and pets and always enjoy cannabis responsibly!
A wide array of different people from all walks of life embrace cannabis edibles. They use them for a multitude of different reasons. Some people are looking for relaxation. They just want to unwind from the stress of the day. Some people are looking for relief from specific ailments and embrace the medicinal attributes found in cannabis edibles to help them get through their day and sometimes through their night.
Some people implore cannabis edibles to help them achieve a restful night’s sleep. They find that they don’t experience the buzz like other people do because, well, they are asleep during it. Some people are just looking for a buzz. They turn to cannabis edibles as their choice of intoxication over other options such as alcohol, tobacco, or other potentially dangerous or illegal options.
Young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors alike find benefits from cannabis edibles. Whether they are THC edibles or CBD edibles, all kinds of people not only buy them but continue to buy them. If you’re experiencing mental, physical, or spiritual discomfort, perhaps cannabis-infused edibles may be just the thing you need to find some relief.
If you’re ready to try cannabis edibles or just looking to buy them, they are available in many places. Depending on where you live, some people have access to medical or recreational cannabis dispensaries. If so, head to your local dispo to score yourself some cannabis-infused treats.
Medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries offer a wide array of cannabis edibles ranging from beverages to gummies, brownies, chocolates, cereal bars, and more. Some places even offer cannabis-infused ice pops and ice cream.
CBD edibles can be purchased online and shipped anywhere in the US. This gives consumers the luxury of ordering cannabis edibles online, anytime, day or night, from the comfort of their device as long as they have internet.
Let’s assume this is your first-time trying cannabis edibles. You could have gone online and purchased CBD edibles, got them from a local store, or dispo. Go ahead and give them a try. Anytime is the right time. CBD edibles will not produce intoxicating effects like THC edibles. If you went to a local dispensary and purchased THC-infused edibles, you may want to wait until your calendar is clear.
When you give THC cannabis infusions a try for the first time, eat them early in the day on a day that you don’t have much to do. Sit at home and enjoy some movies, books, crossword puzzles, or whatever it is you do. This will give you a good idea of how THC edibles affect you. You may not have bought THC edibles to feel the effects. In fact, you may hope that you don’t feel anything at all and manage to stay asleep. If this is the case, you will want to consume your chosen products roughly 30 minutes-2 hours before bed. Be careful about taking too high of dosage before bed; you could end up waking up to use the restroom feeling a little weed drunk.
Cannabis edibles can be enjoyable anytime, day or night. Depending on your tolerance of them, they can be a very welcomed part of everyday life. Once you learn how cannabis infusions affect you, you’ll know what the right time is to enjoy them. Now that you know more about all the varieties of cannabis edibles available today, the only thing left to do is to give them a try yourself.