Curious about cannabis? Interested in edibles? Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Our team at 3Leaf has been producing food-first edibles for the last two years in California’s legal cannabis market. In addition, our team is made up of both experienced and new cannabis consumers. Here’s our recommendations on simple rules to follow for having a positive experience with edibles.
Have a Basic Knowledge of Cannabinoids
When it comes to consuming cannabis, whether for medical or recreational use, a good place to start is with a basic understanding of cannabinoids. There are approximately 120 cannabinoids from cannabis that we know of today. Of those, the two most popular are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
THC is known for its ability to produce feelings of euphoria, also known as a high. It’s been popular for so long because it elevates a variety of experiences and makes a great alternative to alcohol. But CBD has recently taken the spotlight, because so many people enjoy the fact that you can experience the medicinal effects of cannabis without the high. CBD is known for relieving pain and inflammation, and for providing overall relaxing effects. All cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, produce a range of euphoric, elevating, and medicinal effects because of how they work with our endocannabinoid system. If you want to find out more about THC and CBD, and how they work with our body, take a look at 3Leaf’s introduction to THC and CBD.
Note the Difference in Consumption Methods
How you choose to consume cannabis plays a key role in the type of experience you have, and there are a variety of consumption methods for you to choose from. You can smoke or vape, use a tincture or topical, or you can even enjoy cannabis through infused bath bombs. Our favorite cannabis consumption method, if you haven’t guessed already, is edibles. Edibles offer a delicious way to control your dose. They can be infused with raw cannabis flower, hash, or concentrates, such as distillate. At 3Leaf, we infuse our edibles with distillate because it offers a clean, solventless cannabis product, and it blends perfectly with our recipes for accurate dosing.
A few things to look for when choosing your consumption method are:
- Onset time
- Duration time
- Level of discretion
If you need fast acting relief, look to smoking or vaping. The onset time of smoking cannabis flower or vaping a cannabis concentrate is nearly immediate. You’ll typically feel the effects within three to five minutes, with peak effects taking effect around 20-30 minutes. The effects of edibles take longer to kick in because the cannabis has to be digested first through the stomach and then processed through the liver. You can expect edibles to take effect anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours. So remember to wait at least two hours before increasing your dose.
As we mentioned above, it’s important to think about how discreet you need your consumption method to be. Obviously smoking will produce a cannabis smell, which doesn’t work for everyone, especially those who need to discreetly medicate with cannabis throughout the day. Edibles allow you to consume the medicine you need while providing a discreet consumption method. There’s no smell and they’re easy to stow in your bag and take on the go.
Know Your Dose
We’ve said it 500 times and we’ll say it again. When it comes to edibles, start low and go slow. You’ll be surprised to find out that a low dose can go along way. When you start with a low dose edible, especially if you’re new to cannabis, you have the opportunity to see where your tolerance level is at. It also mitigates the likelihood of experiencing adverse effects. Starting with a low-dose allows you to safely experiment and slowly build up to a dose that meets your needs.
It’s also fair to say that you’ll have different needs at different times. We’re human after all. A lower dose of cannabis can relieve anxiety and inflammation, whereas a higher dose can relieve your pain and help you relax and get a good night’s sleep. The beauty of cannabis is that it truly allows you to take control of your health by offering different doses and consumption methods to meet your particular needs.
Choose Low-Sugar Edibles
Cannabis, both THC and CBD, are anti-inflammatory. Sugar, on the other hand, is highly inflammatory. It doesn’t make sense to consume an edible with 60 grams of sugar when you’re goal is to use cannabis as a medicine to treat inflammation. It’s counter-intuitive.
To get the most out of THC and CBD when treating inflammation, look for edibles with low-sugar content and avoid processed ingredients like corn syrup. 3Leaf’s Coconut Oatmeal Cookie and Quinoa Granola Bite both make great options. They’re sweetened with agave nectar rather than sugar. And with 10mg of THC per serving, you’ll get the inflammation and pain relief that you need.
Consider Your Surroundings
Context is highly underrated as a factor in your cannabis experience. Consider where you are and who you’re with before you partake in an edible. The effects of edibles can last for up to eight hours, so in order to set yourself up for a positive experience, consume in a peaceful, relaxing place with familiar faces. And remember, start low and go slow.
As you become more familiar with how you experience edibles, go ahead and experiment with it. Try one before a concert. Consider a ratio-infused treat during Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps you’ll enjoy adding a Vegan Quinoa Granola Bite to your yoga practice. The point is, with cannabis, and edibles in particular, you have lots of options. So have fun with it! Just make sure to always purchase any cannabis products from licensed cannabis retailers.
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