With the rising trend in cannabis legalization, edibles are becoming an increasingly popular way to consume cannabis. In this guide, I will answer common questions about marijuana edibles.
What are edibles?
Edibles are foods that contain cannabis infused ingredients. Cannabis is infused using oil, butter, milk, or honey. Cannabinoids (the compounds found in cannabis) are fat soluble, meaning they bind to fat molecules, so you'll want to stay away from skim or low fat milk. The exception to this is cannabis tincture. Tincture is made using alcohol or vinegar and can be used mainly for beverages and dressings. Butter and olive oil are the most common ingredients used to make cannabis edibles. These infusions can be made into baked goods, candy, chocolate, beverages and more! Basically anything containing oil, butter, milk, or honey can be used to make edibles. There are several cooking shows and culinary competitions showcasing dishes made with cannabis infusions. Bong Appetite, Cooked With Cannabis, Cooking on High are some examples of cooking shows dedicated to making cannabis infused dishes.
What are the benefits of edibles?
Edibles can result in an extended and more intense high than smoking. This may be the ideal form of consumption for anyone who wants the benefits of marijuana without the risks of inhaling smoke. The medicinal benefits of edibles are the same as smoking marijuana. The benefits of marijuana vary depending on the strain. Medical marijuana has been used to treat stress/anxiety, migraines, insomnia, chronic pain, HIV, ALS, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, and other health conditions.
When will I feel effects after eating edibles?
After consuming cannabis infused edibles, you should start feeling effects after about 30 minutes to two hours, but this may vary from person to person. This differs from smoking marijuana. With smoking marijuana you typically feel the effects immediately after inhaling. Sometimes people make the mistake of taking another edible because they don't think it's working. If you think the cannabis isn't working just give it time, it will kick in.
How long do edibles last?
The high from edibles will typically last about 4-6 hours, with a peak at the 3-4 hour mark. The high could last as long as 8 hours for someone who has a low tolerance to THC.
Why do I feel a different high from edibles compared to smoking?
Your body processes edible cannabis differently than smoking. When you smoke cannabis, the THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs and it quickly reaches your brain resulting in you feeling the effects immediately. When you eat cannabis infused foods, the THC enters your stomach then gets metabolized in your liver where it gets converted to an 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC is a metabolite that is more potent, resulting in an elevated "high."
What is the difference between tincture and other cannabis infusions?
Tincture is a different method of cannabis infusion. This method involves dissolving the terpenes (what makes each cannabis strain smell and taste different) and cannabinoids into alcohol or vinegar to produce a liquid concentrated form of cannabis. Typically tincture is best used in beverages, dressings, sauces but can also be put on top of foods. It's important to note that tincture cannot be heated so you should not attempt to cook or bake using tincture. Heating tincture can burn the THC out and cause it to lose potency. Your body also processes tincture differently.
Stay updated for next week when I will publish a guide on how to make cannabis infusions.
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