Aug 02, 2023

Edibles & Dosing

What are Edibles & how do they work?

Edibles are cannabis infused food items. In this context, a food infused with cannabinoids. Marijuana edibles can be brownies, cookies, pasta, and many more. Any recipe that calls for butter or oil can be readily infused with cannabis. Edible cannabinoids are processed differently than inhaled cannabinoids. When weed is ingested, cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the stomach and liver, which increases potency and delays the onset of effects. This process also lengthens the intoxicating effects, sometimes causing them to last from four to six hours.

Types of Edibles

Capsules

Cannabis-infused Soft-Gel capsules are a great way to dose your Cannabis. They contain a regulated amount of psychoactive and inactive ingredients and are simple and easy to use. They usually come in anything from 1mg -100mg per capsule.

Tinctures

Tinctures are liquid, in drop form which makes it easy to dose. They are a great alternative if you cannot eat other edibles such as cookies and desserts. Tinctures are made using either glycerin, alcohol, oil, or a mix of the two. They are a great addition to almost any beverage including your morning coffee. Generally, they come in ratios, such as 1:1 50%THC to 50% CBD, but can also be found with single cannabinoids.

Gummies, Chocolates, Beverages, and More

These are the most popular cannabis-infused products. You can find them in nearly all shapes, sizes, doses, and ingredients. A lot of companies are now making gluten-free and vegan options. They are usually the most palatable of the edibles category and are a great way to stay discreet with your cannabis consumption.

Dosing

The spectrum of cannabis effects is both large and varied. And it is highly personal. What might make one person totally spaced out, will barely have an effect on someone else. The interaction between the substance, the mind, the body, and the environment of the user all play their part – a concept which is known as Set and Setting.

Having said that, the effects of consuming an edible can be quite different from smoking a joint. Edibles tend to focus more on physical effects that can result in a full-blown “couch-lock”. Another major difference lies in the onset and duration of the high. It can several hours for a brownie to kick in and the effect will last much longer than the effects of smoking or vaping.

This can make edibles ideal for patients, in particular patients experiencing chronic pains, or nausea. Many consumers, however, simply wish to see an immediate effect, regardless of whether they’re using cannabis for medicinal reasons or as a stimulant. With cannabis edibles, the absorption process isn’t always time-efficient, but with a minimum of preparation, it can still be achieved: Plan in advance and ingest your edible with care, to achieve the desired effect.

When consuming edibles, there are two possible scenarios:

When the cannabinoids are ingested directly and orally (especially sublingually, i.e. under the tongue) in more or less liquid form, they find their way straight into the bloodstream. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
If the edible doesn’t dissolve in the mouth, it needs to be digested in order for your body to process it. More precisely, it needs to reach the small intestine and the liver.

As soon as it has arrived there, the fats in the edible are broken down and finally passed into the bloodstream to supply the body with nutrients, cannabinoids, and other substances. This process can take 2 to 3 hours.

No matter which consumption method you use, it's essential to drink plenty of water and fill up on food before and during your cannabis experience. When you get high, your mouth temporarily stops producing saliva for up to a day after smoking. Water helps you battle dry mouth resulting from smoking or vaping.

Our industry experts are working diligently to curate the best flower, oils, edibles, + beyond for Jane Dispensary.

Jane Dispensary is an online dispensary providing medical marijuana. We have two California locations to serve you, a Santa Rosa Dispensary and a Cotati Dispensary. To see if you qualify for a medical card, click here.

Note: This is an informational article. This is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your doctor.