Edibles are food products, including beverages, that contain cannabis and can come in many forms including baked goods, gummies, chocolate, oils, and candies. Patients can purchase ready-made edibles or make them by adding oil, butter, or tinctures that contain cannabis into foods.
Many medical marijuana patients prefer not to smoke cannabis for various reasons. Edibles can be considered a safer and more discreet consumption method. However, those new to edibles may accidentally consume too much, whether due to miscalculating a dosage or as a result of eating more due to impatience during the delayed effects. The effects of smoking cannabis peak in around 30 to 60 minutes and quickly dissipate. Edibles may not take effect for one to three hours, depending on your metabolism, but could be effective for four to six hours.
Sativa edibles can provide uplifting and energizing effects, ideal for daytime use. This is achieved with a host of terpenes, including limonene, known for its mood-enhancing and uplifting effects, and alpha-pinene, an anti-anxiety and memory-enhancing terpene.
Indica edibles can provide deeply relaxing effects, ideal for nighttime use for patients with anxiety and trouble sleeping. Indica’s sedating effects are replicated with the use of multiple terpenes, including myrcene, known for its relaxing, anti-inflammatory properties, and linalool, a terpene known for its pain-relieving, anti-anxiety, and relaxing effects.
Hybrid edibles can provide an overall sense of balance. This is achieved with a combination of terpenes, including uplifting limonene, relaxing linalool, and beta-caryophyllene, which has been shown to aid in stress, anxiety, and pain relief.
If you are not into a sweet or gummy type of edible, you could make something at home that is more savory. Making edibles at home can be an exciting and creative experience, but patients should take great measures to properly calculate the dosages of cannabis to ensure the safe delivery of the compounds and avoid any unwanted effects. The digestive system transforms THC into a form that makes edibles more potent and longer-lasting than other forms of consumption.
If you plan to make your own edibles, follow a recipe so you’ll know how much cannabis is in the product. You can do this using flower added to butter or oil, or using a tincture for a more calculated and simple dose. However, it is VERY EASY to miscalculate how much THC you are getting, so careful measuring and patience are key. Try a small piece and give it a bit of time to assess its potency and effect before consuming more.
While calculating the dosages of homemade goodies may seem a bit challenging, asking for a budtender’s advice while at your favorite dispensary can help. Be sure to also always use high-quality products, such as those created and sold by Clovr Cannabis.
Read the original article by Feast Magazine, here.
