November 23 2021
Interested in learning more about edibles? Here’s the buzz on this popular way for medical marijuana patients to consume cannabis.
By simplest definition, edibles are ingestible food products that have been infused with cannabinoids.
“Edibles can contain either THC, CBD or both,” says Bethanie White, director of marketing for Clovr Cannabis, a Kansas City-based medical marijuana manufacturer that supplies products to dispensaries across Missouri. “The CBD on its own doesn’t have psychoactive effects, but when mixed with THC, it creates a more well-rounded experience. We call it the ‘entourage effect.’”
The phrase “entourage effect” was coined to express the synergy or cooperative effect when the two compounds are joined.
Although edibles can take many different forms, these are five of the most commonly enjoyed varieties.
Like the candy, chewy cannabis-infused gummies are available in a wide range of shapes, colors, and fruity flavors — even sour variations.
“We’re the licensed distributor for a brand called Wana – their blueberry gummy is probably our most popular product,” White says. “We also have an apple-pie gummy rolled in cinnamon that people love this time of year.”
Marijuana brownies are often what leaps to mind when people think of ingestible cannabis, although cannabis can also make appearances in cookies, muffins, cupcakes and any other baked good.
Cannabis-infused chocolate is another easy-to-consume and tasty way to enjoy the THC/CBD effect. Clovr Cannabis has teamed up with chocolatier Christopher Elbow to elevate cannabis chocolate bars and bonbons to gourmet levels.
“We’ve got a pumpkin spice bonbon for fall, and we have a peppermint bar coming out soon for the holidays,” White adds.
Low- to medium-level in potency, cannabis hard candies, suckers, lollipops and lozenges are considered a dual-absorption products.
“It means that the THC and CBD are absorbed through your mouth and through your stomach and liver,” White explains. “They usually start to take effect after about 20 minutes, whereas a gummy or chocolate that you’re chewing and swallowing takes anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours to kick in. Effects can last anywhere from two to six hours depending on what you take and how much.
Cannabis “drinkables” and drink mixes like sodas, teas, coffees, and cocoas present another option. There are also tinctures, or liquid extracts, that can be added to beverages or dropped directly under the tongue for quick absorption.
“Our root beer is our best-selling beverage flavor,” White says. “We just introduced a line of energy drinks as well.”
With any form of edible, consumers should be aware that the cannabis content can vary by product, and effects may differ by individual.
“Depending on which state you live in, the cannabis content of edibles can go from 2.5 milligrams to 50 milligrams per piece, which is the highest amount currently in Missouri,” White says. “In some other states, the content can go up to 100 milligrams or more.”
The desired result of consuming an edible determines how much an individual person should ingest at one time. If you’re new to edibles, White advises starting low and going slow.
“You may want to try a product with 5 milligrams or less, and really give it time to kick in,” she recommends. “When people have a bad experience with an edible, it’s probably because they took too much too quickly.”
Read the original article, here.
