A Beginner’s Guide to Edibles

Edible herbs are not easy. If you’ve never eaten to a high before, you may be a little on the alert, even if you’ve smoked a lot of joint. Edibles, as children say, are striking in different ways.

You’ve probably heard “I ate too much delicious chocolate food and was scared” stories from friends, family members, or from the much-talked about New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd about her weed in Colorado. tourist trip.

In truth, as more and more states have legalized and monetized the sale of cannabis, proper dosage labeling has been a major issue, but the situation is improving. Back in 2014, Daud’s cannabis-infused chocolate caramel bar did not provide advice on how much to eat; if she were to visit another state today where marijuana is legal, she would.

Whether you’re planning to be a marijuana tourist or a resident of a retail state opening a new page for fun (or to solve a medical problem), using edibles doesn’t have to intimidate or feel like a roll of bone. We spoke with three industry professionals to get all your newbie questions answered.

What is edible?

Edible foods are foods that contain some form of THC, such as baked goods, gummies, or chocolates. Josh Hawkes, a bud and weed podcaster from Denver for the show Two J’s Later , describes four categories of edible food: sativa only, indica only, hybrid (a mixture of sativa and indica), and pure CBD.

What is the difference between sativa and indica?

These terms describe two main strains of cannabis. “I always think of sativa and indica as tall and pitted [respectively],” says Hawkes. “Sativa is more functional, uplifting and energizing. This is “head high”, more creative and wacky. Then I always tell people that “on the couch” is a great way to remember the indica effect. As with the NyQuil ad where they film this in bed, because that’s where you end up, people eating indicas definitely tend to be a little more relaxed and soothing. It looks more like a tall body. “

Let’s also take the time to explain CBD, which is becoming more popular, THC-free, and widely available even in states without legal weed. A compound of the cannabis plant and one of the most abundant cannabinoids (along with THC), CBD is popular because it offers potential medical benefits in a non-psychoactive product – in other words, it will make you feel good physically, but won’t get you high.

Which edibles should I try if this is my first time?

Choose first the type of elevation (or relief) you are looking for, then the seductive product that will bring that result. Cookies and cakes may be the backbone of the industry, but if you want something a little different, Hawkes recommends gummies or chocolate bars because they’re not nearly as intimidating. “A lot of people are already taking chewable vitamins or nutritional supplements,” says Hawkes. “Who doesn’t like chocolate?”

Any unusual or favorite you can recommend?

Des Caine, another Denver Buddhist, is particularly fond of cannabis stroopwafel . She says that the edible version of the traditional Dutch treat is mostly similar to the outside of a waffle cone, but has a round shape soaked in caramel. “He has no hashish taste at all. You can even smell them and they resemble cinnamon caramel. They are just great. “

Hawkes believes that the most unusual (and probably his favorite) edible on the market right now is beef jerky made with bison meat. “They are thick stripes of sweet and spicy or teriyaki flavors. The taste is not as strong and you can still taste bison meat, ”he says. “When it comes to edibles, this is pretty much the only savory food option available. Everything else is sugar based. “

I went to the dispensary, bought some food and am ready to try. Now what?

Kane and Hawkes share the same advice: move slowly and slowly.

“10 mg is considered a single serving for an adult. Those who have never had an edible before should start with less, says Dr. Margaret Gedde, a physician who provides marijuana treatment services at the Vibrant Health Clinic in Colorado Springs. “5 mg is a reasonable starting dose for the first time. […] As soon as these 5 mg take effect, it will no longer be an overwhelming effect. ” (It’s worth noting that states vary in their dosage recommendations. In Colorado, “the state recommended 10 mg for recreational purposes, so all edible foods come in 10 mg, 10 mg chunks, or one bite with 10 cut cubes,” Hawkes explains. California and Washington are the same at 10mg, but Oregon has set a maximum of 5mg THC per serving.)

After that first dose, wait at least an hour or an hour and a half, says Dr. Gedde, to find out if you are feeling anything and how you are feeling. If this happens, you can decide if there is more or not. She adds that the edible high lasts longer than the inhalation high, so know it won’t go away quickly.

Dr. Gedde adds that it is very important to “think in numbers”. In other words, know how many milligrams of THC are in each food you buy, and know if you need to cut it in pieces or if you can eat it all whole. Note how long you start, how long you wait, and if you choose to add, how much you add. Keeping track of this process the first few times will help you achieve a more consistent high (and also make grocery shopping easier).

“Work on the feeling you’re looking for and just realize that it takes time,” says Hawkes (who usually recommends new users wait two hours after the first dose). “It’s not like smoking when you get instant pleasure.”

Why is it so difficult to determine the correct dose of food?

According to Dr. Gedde, all the ways cannabis enters the body can be divided into two categories. The first group, where food goes, is metabolized through the liver. The second group, which includes everything else (evaporation / smoking / rubbing ointments into the skin / dissolving under the tongue), bypasses the liver and scalp directly into the bloodstream.

When THC from the second group enters your bloodstream, you feel high for a few minutes and can adjust accordingly.

But liver treatment takes time. “The time will generally be longer than any other conventional medication you can take,” explains Dr. Gedde. “If you take ibuprofen or aspirin, it will work in about 20 minutes. From the beginning, the metabolism of cannabinoids is much slower, ”she explains. “It usually takes about an hour to take effect. Some drugs work so slowly, but usually people expect the effects to come sooner, so it’s important to know that it just takes longer than usual. “

Dr. Gedde adds that some people simply have slower livers, and there is another consideration: what have you or haven’t eaten recently. Ironically, edible foods can be more effective when taken on a slightly raw stomach. “Cannabis is absorbed better with certain foods because it gives the body something to work with and digest,” she says. “Otherwise, cannabis oil is difficult to digest. If a person is taking a concentrated dose or taking a very small dose without any food, for example if a person swallows a capsule with only water, it is also not absorbed, so it may not take effect until after the person has eaten what could have happened in a few hours. So they say, “Nothing happened. But then I ate and I was suddenly stoned. “

On the other hand, understandably, she says that if you take an edible with a large lunch like Thanksgiving lunch, things will slow down. “It will all take longer to work and longer to finish.”

(Edible products are often the best choice for those who use cannabis for medical reasons because of this longer lasting effect. They may offer better daily coverage, for example, for those treating or preventing chronic pain.)

To use a running analogy, eating food is a marathon, not a sprint, so Kane stresses, “Make sure you are in a safe place and make sure you pay attention to what your body is doing.” (And of course it can be difficult, but Budender laughs and adds, “Have fun!”)

Can I have a Friday night meal with an IPA (or a glass of Cab)?

“I wouldn’t recommend doing that,” says Hawkes. “I don’t usually mix marijuana and alcohol together. Some people do it. Some people have a great time with him. IPA – You will definitely feel the effects of IPA long before you experience the effects of marijuana. “

A friend gave me some of her homemade cakes in a pot. Can they eat me?

“Be very careful,” says Dr. Gedde when you’re new to homemade food due to the lack of standardization and testing. You really have no idea what your friend has used or how much, whereas when it comes to in-store items, “Within certain limits, you can rely heavily on the label.”

Damn it, I think I ate too much edible. What should I do?

“Anyone who feels like they’re too high … have a glass of water and take a nap,” Hawkes suggests, because being too high is not the same as being too drunk. “We were all too drunk or too drunk, and we are trying to solve this with a cheeseburger, soda or something like that. Well, with THC, if you’re consuming more fat, you’re just overdoing it. “

Kane’s advice? “Find a nice place to chat, because that will soon pass.”

Dr. Gedde agrees. “Wait. Drink water if you can. It is strictly forbidden to combine with alcohol. It will make it even worse. ” And rest assured that “there is no danger,” she adds. “A person can feel very, very bad if they receive too much edible cannabis, but it does not have toxic effects on the organs. You don’t have to go to the emergency room. “

Seriously? All I can do is suffer from this?

If you are feeling really awful, there is one more option Dr. Gedde suggests: taking CBD to counteract THC.

“CBD is, of course, known for not having psychoactive effects. People crossed state lines to reach their children. Some of what it does can actually block the psychoactivity of THC if you take them together. CBD can sit on and protect the same receptor in the brain that induces psychoactivity. […] Breathing a CBD vaporizer, liquid or tincture under the tongue can help get something fast and help balance it. “

You can buy CBD through your local dispensary, but Dr. Gedde says you can also purchase it from many mail order sites (including Amazon) and health food stores because CBD is an over-the-counter hemp product grown in open fields and not as limited as THC. (This is the key, for example, for those taking edible THC for pain relief, she says, so they can get their body effect without being constantly stoned.)

It’s an easy way to “get your high”, says Dr. Gedde, laughing.

Since the passing of the Farming Act 2018, CBD is no longer considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance by Congress, so while the Drug Enforcement Agency still classifies it as such, it “can be bought and consumed in all 50 states as long as the cultivation is grown in accordance with the Law, ” according to industry information resource CBD Central . Also with CBD Central in mind, if a product is sold with “therapeutic benefits or as a dietary supplement,” it must be reviewed and approved by the FDA, so you will need to research the companies that make and market that product to you. …