Cannabis Edibles: Exploring the Benefits and Risks for New Users

Years before cannabis edibles became mainstream, vitamin gummies revolutionized the health and wellness market by providing a tasty, chewable option for taking medicinal doses. This trend wasn’t limited to children; adults also found these products appealing.

Today, cannabis edibles are a leading category in both medical and recreational cannabis markets, especially in states where cannabis is legal. According to 2023 data from Statista, edibles, particularly candies like gummies, account for over 74% of sales in this category, followed by chocolates (8%) and beverages (6%).

Cannabis edibles are increasingly recognized as a complementary health option for those dealing with chronic pain, sleep disorders, neurological pain, multiple sclerosis, mental health symptoms, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Unlike smoking or vaping, edibles provide a smokeless, often more palatable method of consumption, making them a popular choice for many patients. Particularly those with treatment-resistant conditions like chronic pain. Individuals who have established a tolerance (or experienced debilitating side effects) using opioid or NSAID prescription medications.

What Are Cannabis Edibles?

Cannabis edibles are products that contain cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, and are ingested rather than smoked or vaped. When consumed, edibles are processed by the digestive system and liver, converting the cannabinoids into a form that has a more intense and prolonged effect compared to inhalation methods. This makes edibles a preferred choice for those seeking long-lasting relief from their symptoms.

Edibles are available in a variety of forms, including baked goods like brownies and cookies, candies such as gummies and chocolates, beverages like teas, sparkling waters and sodas, and even savory snacks like popcorn and sauces. This diversity allows patients to choose products that suit their tastes and preferences.

One of the main advantages of edibles is their ease of use and lack of odor, which makes them a discreet option for many. However, due to their delayed onset, typically ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours, it’s crucial to start with a low dose and wait before consuming more to avoid overconsumption and adverse effects.

Types of Edibles Available at Your Local Dispensary

Cannabis edibles are available in many forms, providing diverse and enjoyable ways to consume cannabis. From cold and hot drink mixes to food products infused with cannabinoids, edibles offer an expansive list of options, whether you use cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes.

Some popular types found in licensed dispensaries include:

• Baked Goods: Brownies, cookies, cakes, and muffins
• Candies: Gummies, chocolates, lollipops, and hard candies
• Beverages: Teas, coffees, sodas, and infused waters
• Savory Snacks: Popcorn, chips, and crackers
• Capsules and Tablets: Pre-dosed for convenience
• Tinctures and Oils: Can be added to food or drinks
• Butter and Cooking Oil: For making homemade edibles
• Protein Bars and Granola: Healthy, on-the-go options
• Honey and Syrups: For sweetening beverages or food
• Dissolvable Powders: Easily mixed into any drink

Cannabis consumption isn’t limited to edible products you can purchase at a dispensary, however. For patients who prefer DIY options, creating cannabis edibles at home is also possible. After decarboxylating cannabis bud (activating THC), you can infuse it into various ingredients, including butter, oils, and even tea, to create your own cannabis-infused treats.

The Pioneering of Cannabis Edibles: Alice B. Toklas

The history of cannabis edibles can be traced back to Alice B. Toklas, an American expatriate living in Paris. In her 1954 cookbook, “The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book,” she included a recipe for “Haschich Fudge,” contributed by her friend Brion Gysin. This recipe, which called for cannabis, was one of the earliest documented instances of cannabis being used in culinary creations.

The inclusion of this recipe in her cookbook brought significant attention to cannabis edibles, blending culinary arts with cannabis culture and influencing the development of modern cannabis-infused foods. It was also somewhat scandalous as cannabis was a prohibited substance (and remains so) in France.

Why Are Cannabis Edibles So Popular?

When you think of the cannabis plant, the first thing you may picture is packing a bowl or smoking a pre-roll. Marijuana culture is strongly associated with smoking cannabis, but other intake methods like edibles offer other advantages.

Cannabis consumption via edibles has become increasingly popular for several reasons:

Easy and Enjoyable Consumption

Edibles provide a simple and enjoyable way to consume cannabis. Products like gummies, chocolates, and baked goods are pre-dosed, making it easy to control intake without special equipment or preparation.

Cannabis smoke does not taste as good as eating cannabis-infused treats. Smoking cannabis before bed can temporarily (but rapidly) increase your heart rate and make it harder to fall asleep. Unlike smoking, the slower onset of psychoactive effects after you consume cannabis edibles can help you relax and fall asleep. Edibles are a top choice for patients who experience sleep disorders.

Tinctures offer precise dosing and faster onset when placed under the tongue or added to food and beverages. Capsules and tablets provide a smokeless, discreet, and odorless option, ensuring a consistent and easy-to-use method.

Discreet and Convenient

One of the major advantages of edibles is their discretion. Unlike smokable or vaped cannabis, edibles produce no noticeable odor, making them ideal for use in private or public settings without drawing attention.

Edibles can be stored easily in a pantry or fridge and come with clear dosing information, ensuring a consistent and controlled experience. Most edibles are sold in a resealable package to retain freshness and prevent the THC content from degrading. If your packaging is compromised, you can store it in a Zip Lock style bag or other airtight container.

Long-Lasting Effects

Edibles offer long-lasting psychoactive and physical effects, often up to seven hours, making them ideal for sustained relief from pain, anxiety, and other symptoms. This extended duration is due to the way edibles are metabolized in the liver, converting THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent compound.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Using Medical Cannabis Edibles

While cannabis offers many benefits, it also comes with potential risks. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) can develop in some individuals, characterized by dependency and withdrawal symptoms. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that causes severe nausea and vomiting, can occur in frequent users, particularly those using high-potency products.

Cannabis can also interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and cardiovascular drugs. Regular consultation with a licensed healthcare professional can help mitigate these risks and ensure safe use. Healthcare providers can recommend the best intake methods and help manage any potential drug interactions.

Daytime Versus Evening Use of Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles vary in potency, and patients often prefer higher potency products for significant symptom relief, like chronic pain. Many patients use edibles at night to improve sleep quality by reducing pain and anxiety during sleeping hours.

However, using edibles during work hours is not advised due to the unpredictable onset of effects and the risk of impairment. It is best to consume cannabis when you are safely at home. Never drive after cannabis consumption, even if you are not feeling impaired.

Are Edibles Safer Than Smoking Cannabis for Long-Term Use?

Smoking cannabis is not the healthiest method of consumption due to potential respiratory issues. The health risks of smoking or vaping anything are well known. Individuals with conditions like COPD, asthma, and emphysema should consider non-smokable alternatives like edibles.

Edibles provide the benefits of cannabis without the harmful effects of inhaling smoke, which can irritate the lungs and airways, making them a safer long-term option. Unlike smoking, edibles do not contribute to respiratory inflammation. Most physicians recommend choosing non-inhalable medical cannabis as the best intake method.

Respiratory Health Benefits of Choosing Edibles Versus Smoking Marijuana

Choosing edibles over smoking marijuana can significantly benefit respiratory health. By ingesting cannabis rather than inhaling it, you avoid the harmful effects of smoke, such as respiratory irritation, coughing, and lung damage. Edibles deliver cannabinoids through digestion, reducing the risk of respiratory complications and offering a safer method for enjoying the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

The Legal Status of Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles are legal in states that have legalized medical cannabis. However, in some states, such as Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, and Wyoming, all cannabis products, including edibles, remain illegal.

It’s essential to check your local laws and regulations before purchasing or consuming cannabis edibles. If you plan on traveling, your valid state medical cannabis card and qualifying medical conditions may make it possible to legally purchase, possess, and consume cannabis in another state. Check online for more information on states that have medical cannabis reciprocity laws.

Safety and Storage of Cannabis Edibles

A significant concern with cannabis edibles is the risk of accidental consumption, especially by children or pets. Edibles often look and smell appealing, and it’s easy for a child or pet to consume a dangerous quantity. To prevent accidental ingestion, store your edibles in a safe, dry place out of reach of children and pets. Keep them away from direct sunlight to preserve their potency.

Finding the Right Dosage for Edibles

Determining the right dosage for cannabis edibles can be challenging due to the delayed onset and prolonged effects. People who are new to using cannabis edibles should start with a low dose, typically (under 10mg of THC) and wait at least two hours before consuming more. This cautious approach helps avoid overconsumption and the potential for adverse effects.

The Future of Cannabis Edibles

The future of cannabis edibles looks promising as more states legalize cannabis and new products hit the market. Innovations in formulation and delivery methods are making edibles more effective and enjoyable. As research continues, we can expect to see more tailored products designed to meet specific health needs and preferences, further integrating cannabis into mainstream health and wellness practices.

Embracing the Benefits of Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles offer a versatile, enjoyable, and discreet way to experience the benefits of cannabis. From their long-lasting effects to their wide variety of forms, edibles are an attractive option for many patients seeking relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and other symptoms.

By understanding the potential benefits and risks, and with the guidance of a healthcare professional, patients can make informed decisions about incorporating cannabis edibles into their health and wellness routine.

Edibles tend to feel more sedative and heavy in nature, and edibles affect people differently compared to smoked cannabis or cannabis extracts. So remember to moderate your dose and make sure you enjoy edibles safely. Do not consume them with other substances like alcohol.

With proper dosing, medical cannabis edibles can be a healthier, smoke-free alternative for patients, a convenient and discreet way to consume marijuana, and provide long-lasting pain relief.