Edibles are discreet, long lasting and the simplest way to enjoy cannabis. There's a few things you should know before you shop at the cannabis store...
Edibles come in a variety of products, such as:
Food
Most food items you can buy from the cannabis store are chocolates, gummies and baked goods. The maximum amount of THC allowed is 10mg per package
Beverages
You can buy THC and CBD infused drinks such as tea, soda and seltzer. The maximum amount of THC allowed is 10mg per package
Tinctures & sprays
Cannabis oils can come in tinctures or sprays, some can have a strong taste and are best added to food
Capsules
Capsules make it easier to swallow and are a great choice for CBD
The maximum dose of THC you can buy in edibles is 10mg, if you need a stronger dose look for capsules and tinctures.
There's two types of edibles to choose from
Long lasting
Long lasting edibles are found in most food products and oils, unless they're formulated to be fast-acting.
The onset of long lasting edibles is anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The duration is 4 to 6 hours on average however they can last longer than that, depending on various factors.
Fast-acting
Fast-acting edibles are any edible that's water soluble. This includes all beverages, dissolvables such as strips and powders you mix into water. Some candies are fast acting and will usually tell you on the package. You can check the reviews section to see which edibles are fast-acting.
Fast-acting edibles have an onset time of around 15 minutes and a duration of one hour.
Dose
Recommended first time dose for ingesting cannabis is 2mg to 5mg. Because edibles are long lasting, it's best to start with a lower dose to see how it makes you feel, especially if you're prone to anxiety.
Duration
Wait 2 full hours before taking more THC for long lasting edibles.
Wait 1 hour before taking more fast-acting edibles
Adjusting the dose
Increase your dose in 2 to 5mg depending on how you felt. If you enjoyed your first experience, stick to the same dose. If you felt nothing go up 5mg, if you felt a mild effect but it didn't feel like it was enough, go up 2mg. Even 1mg can make a big difference.
Buying edibles
In Canada each beverage or food item can't contain more than 10mg per package. Most edibles come divided up in various amounts to equal 10mg. They can come in 1-10mg piece, 5mg per piece or 2 - 2.5mg per piece.
Oils and capsules don't have the same limit so if you need a higher dose, look for those products.
Tip
If you're trying cannabis for the first time, look for edibles in 2mg doses.