If you’ve ever heard about space brownies, then you know about marijuana edibles. What you may not know is that brownies are just the tip of the iceberg in the world of edible cannabis. Here’s our complete guide on all you ever wanted to know about marijuana edibles.
What are marijuana edibles?
Scientifically speaking, marijuana edibles are food and drink products that have been infused with cannabis extracts. They can range from baked goods to gummy bears, or even chocolate and butter. There are four main categories of edibles:
- Sativa-only
- Indica-only
- Hybrid (mix of sativa and indica)
- Pure CBD.
Before it gets too complicated, allow us to explain. Sativa and indica are the two primary strains of cannabis. Sativa is considered more functional, uplifting and energetic. Indica is considered more relaxing and sedating. And CBD we’ve already discussed in depth in this article, but in a few words it’s a chemical compound found in cannabis that provides all the benefits of the plant without the psychoactive effects.
“Cannabis enhances our mind in a way that enables us to take a different perspective from ‘high up’, to see and evaluate our own lives and the lives of others in a privileged way. Maybe this euphoric and elevating feeling of the ability to step outside the box and to look at life’s patterns from this high perspective is the inspiration behind the slang term “high” itself.”
Sebastian Marincolo, author of High: Insights on Marijuana
So if you want to lie back on your couch and relax, indica is for you. If you want a euphoric, creative high, then sativa is for you. If you want a bit of both, then a hybrid is your best option. And if you want to relax without getting high, CBD is your winner.
Types of marijuana edibles
When it comes to the types of edibles, the world is your oyster. There are plenty of them to choose from, including:
- Chocolate
- Gummies & Chewy Edibles
- Butter (for baking)
- Solvents
- Tinctures
- Cookies
- Brownies & Baked Goods
- Hard candies
- Pizza
- Chips
- Ice cream
- Nut & Trail Mixes
- Sodas
- Desserts
- Condiments, Dressing & Sauces
- Coffee
- Tea
- Energy Drinks
And so much more!
How Are Marijuana Edibles Made?
Marijuana edibles are made by adding in a cannabis extract into the mixture before preparing the edible. For baked goods, that can be canna-butter or canna-oil (which is used in place of regular butter before baking). For other types of food and drink, a dosage of the extract can be added through oils or tinctures. But it really depends on the type of edible and the Edibles Chef behind the creation.
Effects of Marijuana Edibles vs. other Cannabis Products
Since edibles are absorbed into the body through the digestive tract, their effects can differ from the regular smoking or vaping methods. This is because they enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver, where they are metabolized and sent back into the bloodstream, entering the brain and nervous system.
This means that the initial onset of effects can take longer to kick in since the route is “less direct” than when inhaling. However, the overall effects from cannabis edibles can be both stronger and longer-lasting. This is because edibles offer a slower, more gradual release of cannabinoids into the body, meaning that you will be “high” for longer. Also, edibles normally contain larger doses than a regular joint or vape, meaning that you get one hell of a kick in one tiny gummy bear.
Benefits of Marijuana Edibles
The main benefit behind marijuana edibles is that if you purchase pre-made goods, the dosage is a breeze. When you smoke or vape, you’re making a best guess as to the control and dosage you’re taking. But when you buy a clear-labeled product, you know exactly how much cannabis you’re consuming at any given moment. This can make the experience more enjoyable and easier to control.
And also, as we mentioned before, marijuana edibles have longer lasting and stronger effects. They’re also pretty discreet, since you don’t have to roll out a joint in front of everybody. You can simply pop a brownie into your mouth, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. And if you happen to be the creative type, then you can have all sorts of fun inventing different dishes and drinks, becoming the Gordon Ramsay of edibles.
Are There Any Health Risks?
In short, yes. But it depends. According to Healthline, overconsumption of cannabis can lead to cannabis-induced psychosis, which can result in confusion, paranoia and hallucinations. And since cannabis affects your cardiovascular system, it can also “cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.” As for long-term effects, young age groups are at higher risk of developed impaired-brain activity and poor mental health. That is why cannabis should only be consumed at a legal age and with the appropriate safety measures.
Also, kids and cannabis don’t mix. Which can make this particularly difficult because edibles come in all sorts of delicious goodies like chocolate, gummies and cookies.
The other health risk is overconsumption. We’ve mentioned it before – while you can overdose on cannabis, the result isn’t fatal. But it can be extremely uncomfortable because the only option left is to ride it out, paranoia or not. In any case, we recommend you speak to your doctor before venturing into the world of cannabis to make sure you’re in tip-top shape and good to go.
Safety tips
Now that you know the types of edibles, the benefits and the safety risks, we can start talking about safety tips.
Start Low, Go Slow
This one not only rhymes, but is recommended absolutely everywhere. Cannabis edibles can take a really long time to kick in. And we mean long – anywhere from thirty minutes to more than an hour. So wait it out before upping your dose – edibles can go from 0 to 100 once they kick in. And if you eat another cookie, and another cookie, and then another one because you can’t “feel it” yet, you run the risk of overconsumption.
We recommend starting out with small doses (like half a portion), and waiting for a while (around 45 minutes to 1 hour) before eating more.
Don’t Drink & Eat
This is a recipe for a right old mess, especially if you’re new to edibles. We highly recommend staying away from alcohol before ingesting edibles.
Get a Meal in Beforehand
Cannabis + empty stomach = bad idea. Get a proper meal in before consuming any type of edibles to make sure the effects are slow & gradual.
Edibles Aren’t Snacks
This is very important. We all know the munchies, and they are real. Make sure you prepare a non-intoxicating batch of snacks so that you can eat tasty stuff without running the risk of over consuming.
Don’t Get Behind The Wheel
We shouldn’t even have to mention this one, but here goes. Don’t consume edibles if you plan to drive later. Avoid driving and be responsible for others and for yourself.
Enjoy!
Literally sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience. The best way to guarantee a great while is to not get stressed with the tiny details. If you follow all our tips, you’re bound to have an awesome night.
Learn More About Marijuana & Edibles
Did you know we have courses on cannabis processing, industrial hemp and horticulture? Our certifications and programs can help deepen your understanding of cannabis extracts and their application for edibles and other goods, as well as provide all the necessary tools to succeed in the fast-paced and ever-changing environment that is marijuana. Learn more about our courses, programs and certifications here!