Cannabis Products: What Are Edibles?

Edibles are cannabis products that are infused with cannabis extracts such as CBD or THC oil. These food items often come under the guise of everyday groceries such as brownies, gummies and even butter. 

In Canada, edibles can be produced and sold in many territories and they provide a smoke-free alternative to consuming cannabis flowers. Here, we’ll take you through how edibles work, their pros and cons and what you should consider when shopping for edibles.

What Are Edibles?

Cannabis products that can be eaten or drank are classed as “edibles”. Any foods or drinks that have been infused with cannabis extracts or concentrates like CBD or THC are considered edibles and often look like many common foods like cakes or candy. 

How Do Edibles Work?

Unlike inhaling cannabis products, edibles are absorbed into the human body through the digestive system. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction specifically say that THC and other cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the digestive tract and make their way to the liver 

The Difference Between Edibles and Other Cannabis Products

The key difference between edibles and other cannabis products is the way that they’re consumed and also how the body is able to process the key ingredients. Whether that’s THC or CBD, reports show that when cannabis extracts and concentrates are ingested by humans, they can produce similar effects to those of cannabis flower when it’s smoked or vaporized. 

When cannabis flower is inhaled, the blood in the lungs quickly absorbs THC which then moves towards the brain to produce an effect that can be noticed within minutes. When edibles are consumed, cannabis is digested by the body which causes a delay, the effects cant ake any time between 30 minutes and 4 hours. 

The effects of cannabis on users can vary, based on a number of different factors. Bodyweight, gender, metabolism speed and the amount of food that the user has are all factors that have an impact on the intensity and longevity of cannabis effects. 

The Pros and Cons of Edibles 

Consuming edible cannabis can have a stronger effect on users that last up to 12 hours or more, in comparison to inhalation which can last up to around 6 hours. Edibles provide cannabis enthusiasts and recreational cannabis users the ability to consume smoke-free alternatives of THC or CBD infused food and drink products. This helps users to enjoy the effects of cannabis without the carcinogenic toxins from smoking which is a health risk to the lungs. 

The effects of edibles are delayed and can take a few hours to show any effects. Users can accidentally over consume edibles if they don’t wait enough time between edible servings. If you’re starting a new cannabis product, start off with a low dosage of 2.5mg THC or less to get started and wait around 2 hours before taking another dose. 

Check out the Packaging  

When purchasing cannabis products, like when you buy weed online, and especially edibles, be sure to carefully read the packaging and product labels. On the packaging, you’ll find how much THC or CBD is contained within the product to help give you a guide of how strong it will be. If you’re new to consuming edibles, always start with a low dosage of THC and slowly work your way up as your body becomes accustomed to it.