Tasty THC - Promises and Challenges of Edible Cannabis

When people think of cannabis, the first method to consume it may be through things like joints, bongs, or blunts. However, edibles have gained popularity throughout the years as a more discreet way to consume, as well as better control your dosage. Edibles are a great choice for people who do not feel comfortable smoking or cannot smoke due to medical conditions. It is important to note that smoking is not recommended for anyone even if you aren’t using tobacco. Using nearly any type of heated inhalant is not good for the health of your lungs in the long run. But, even if smoking is not the choice for you, there are pros and cons to edibles that some people may not realize. So before you try out some edible cannabis, let’s do a deep dive into all things infused with cannabis.

The first pro to using edibles would be how easy it is to consume and how much variety you can choose from. Edibles will always tell you how many milligrams of THC are in the package and in each piece or section. This is a great way to keep track of how much THC you’ve ingested, and if you like the dosage, know how much to take next time. For beginner edible users, it is recommended to only take, at most, 5mgs at a time, then wait for two hours in between. Edibles are also highly recommended for first-time cannabis users who do know they want to smoke to get high or to relieve their pain. Edibles are available in an incredible variety: cookies, brownies, gummies, taffy, chocolate bars, soda, wine, powder, oils, etc.

If you can’t find one you like at a retail location you can make your own at home and infuse anything you want. (You could make an entire meal infused... from appetizer to dessert.) The first con is how fine of a line it is to overindulge and end up too high. so knowing your dosage is highly important. Even though edibles are always labeled with dosages, some people don’t see them, accidentally take too much (like with a chunk of melted gummies), or assume they have a higher tolerance than they do. When this happens when you over indulge on edibles, it can ruin your entire night. You can not feel good for hours at a time (edibles can last for much longer than expected), some people have even reported dipping into slight psychosis, this is not common at all but can definitely happen. Nobody has ever died from overdosing on edibles and nobody will, however, being too high to not have fun at all. According to Bright Quest, “Marijuana may trigger an episode of psychosis, although this reaction is not very common. In most cases, when it does occur, the psychosis is acute. This means it begins suddenly and stops once the drug has left the individual’s system. Some people may need emergency treatment, as the symptoms can be profoundly distressing. Treatment usually involves placing the person in a calm environment and administering antipsychotic medication.” Another pro to using edibles is how much cheaper it can be compared to using flowers. If you are a regular flower user, you know that buying in bulk will always be more lucrative

Buying edibles can be even more lucrative as one 10mg edible could last for hours and keep you satisfied all day. For example, if you’re someone who smokes three one-gram joints a day, you can blow through an ounce ($100 - $300) in 9 days. If that same person were to buy a 1000mg pack of edibles ($40 - $80) and take a 50mg edible each day, the pack would be empty in 20 days. While yes, some people feel that edibles, dispensary or homemade, don’t affect them as well as smoking, it’s possible you haven’t tried the right brand or the right dosage. The next con is it takes longer to take effect which is a factor to consider when the first con we discussed was how easy it is to become too high. Edibles all affect people differently due to a variety of factors. Medical News Today

“indicates that oral ingestion of THC requires 30–90 minutes for effects to begin. These effects reach their peak after 2–3 hours. Some factors affect how soon someone can feel the effects of edibles. These include the edible’s non-cannabis ingredients, body weight, metabolism, gender, and when a person last ate.”

There is also a theory that “consumption under the tongue, also known as sublingual absorption, is a faster delivery system since it bypasses the digestive system and absorbs straight into the bloodstream. Therefore, items, such as lollipops or tinctures held under the tongue, may have quicker effects.” This theory also means that there is a possibility that different types of edibles can affect a person differently, like cookies, gummies, and oils. Now that you know the more important pros and cons, let’s go over how to consume edibles safely. Just like any time you consume cannabis, it is necessary to stay hydrated and eat before taking anything, know your limits and always start with less (your eyes may be bigger than your tolerance), and never drive under the influence, for both your safety and the safety of others. According to Veriheal there are eight main things to consider when consuming cannabis infused products, “Be sure to read the label of your product carefully. The label should inform you of the quantity, potency, and serving suggestions of the edible. Always start with a low dose and wait patiently before consuming more, around 3 to 4 hours. If you plan to make your own, follow a recipe so that you have a better idea of how much cannabis is in the product, homemade edibles can be unintentionally very strong. Try a small piece in order to assess its potency before consuming more or larger pieces. Plan ahead so that you consume in a safe space. If you do get too high, try to remain as calm as possible. No one has nor will die directly from consuming cannabis and you won’t be the first. Lastly, do not mix edibles with other substances such as alcohol or prescription medication.” I know some of y’all want to get “cross faded,” but the possible consequences are not worth it. Now that we have gone over the main pros and cons of using edibles, you can make an informed decision on whether or not it is a good idea for you personally. Never let outside forces like peer pressure make your choices for you. If you do end up trying some edibles, be sure to store them where children and pets cannot get to them, both children and pets have gotten extremely sick and even died from accidentally consuming, and over dosing on, edibles. Additionally, do not consume edibles if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you feel you may benefit from cannabis while pregnant, contact your doctor and see if CBD may give the same relief. Always consume safely, and be conscious of the choices you make while under the influence. Stay safe out there!