What to expect from an edible cannabis

Marijuana has almost gone mainstream, and about 88% of the population supports legalization. Homemade treats were the standard edible item, but in the new legal world of leisure one can get high quality chocolates, gummy bears and a whole host of sweets. Those who have recently reached legal drinking age can walk into a store and buy edibles just as easily as they can buy beer in the 23-year-old recreational state.

Science has said that marijuana is better than alcohol, has medicinal benefits and no fights after getting a little high. The new generations are paying attention to the fact that alcohol consumption is decreasing and marijuana consumption is increasing.

Photo by Flickr user David O’Hare

If you’re new or new to eating edibles, here are some tips on how to eat them and what to expect. The first piece of advice is: start low and go slow.

RELATED: Science says medical marijuana improves quality of life

Understand the dosage

Groceries bought at retail stores should be labeled with the dosage per piece. Most contain around 10 mg per piece. Casual users should aim for between 5 and 10 mg for a comfortable high. Only experienced cannabis users and medical marijuana patients are recommended to start dosing above 15 mg. It is very common for people to start with a serving of edibles (2.5-5 mg) to observe the reaction. For homemade edibles, like the classic marijuana brownie, you’ll need to check with the baker how much is being added to determine the dosage. You should proceed cautiously as you don’t want to suffer an overreaction.

Photo by skeeze via Pixabay

How it works

When you ingest an edible, it’s the cannabinoids/THC that provide the kick. This is similar to the ethanol in alcohol. In contrast to e-cigarettes, joints or oils, which go directly into the bloodstream and are therefore edible THC first travels to the stomach and then to the liver before entering the bloodstream and brain. THC works best with fats, think chocolate, to help activate it in the body.

Timing is key

Due to their digestive effects, average edibles last about 45 minutes to an hour when ingested on an empty stomach. If taken with a full meal, it can last up to three hours. If you don’t feel anything after about 1.5 hours, you can take a little more, knowing that the high will last longer once it kicks in. They don’t want to continue consuming like Washington Post columnist Maureen Dowd. The peak is reached in about two to four hours. You can eat more edibles to keep the buzz going. As you become more familiar with the application, you will have more control over the length and effectiveness of your journey.

RELATED: Why Generation Z is turning down the beer and turning to marijuana

What to expect

As shown In the classic Doonesbury flick, everyone has their own reaction, from relaxation to drowsiness to a thought of the beauty of the world. The type of cannabinoid your edible contains will determine the different effects. Foods with higher THC levels typically have more intoxicating or psychoactive effects. Edibles with a higher CBD content cause less of a high and instead relax you and help you feel less anxious.

Remember, no one has ever died from a marijuana overdose, and if the worst comes to the worst, you can just go to sleep. Here are some ways to come down from a high.

Enjoy

When you start your edible education, first make sure the atmosphere is comfortable and don’t think about it too much. Relax and enjoy the journey.