Guide to edibles

 Edibles are consumable products that have been infused with cannabis. There are two main types of edibles: sublingual and gastrointestinal. Sublingual is Latin for ‘under the tongue’ and that is exactly what you do – you place the edible on or under your tongue. This type of edible allows the cannabinoids to enter your bloodstream through the tissues in your mouth and the effects start to take place shortly after. With gastrointestinal edibles, absorption takes place after the edible has entered your digestive tract. This means that it will take longer to feel the effects. While edibles are a great option for patients they can easily lead to disaster if you are not cautious. A common mistake that many first-time edibles users fall victim to is eating too much. Make sure to follow these steps when consuming edibles. 

 Read the label thoroughly to make sure you are taking the correct serving size. Be sure to store your edibles out of the reach of children. Make note of keeping your edibles labeled so they are not eaten by mistake by unassuming family members, friends, or roommates. 

The suggested starting dose for an edible is 10mg. This may not seem like much for an experienced smoker, but it is best to consume conservatively the first time. Gastrointestinal edibles can take up to 90 minutes before the effects become noticeable. If you have eaten 10mg and still have yet to feel the effects, wait at least 90 minutes before consuming

more.

Make sure you are in a safe and comfortable place when using edibles. Never get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of medical cannabis. If you do have to leave for any reason, use a designated driver. Delicious infused chocolate and truffle edibles are easy to devour, so make sure to have some non-medicated snacks available. 

While the effects of smoking cannabis are instantaneous, edibles tend to take longer to “kick in” and last for a much longer time. The effects from edibles are noticeable for roughly five hours with the peak of the effects occurring around two and a half hours after consumption. Because of the longevity of the effects, it is important to plan before eating an edible. Do not consume edibles on an empty stomach, as that may intensify the effects.