There are numerous delivery methods for ingesting marijuana, and each offers its own unique effects. For medical marijuana patients in the United States wishing to experience the health benefits of cannabis, who can’t tolerate delivery methods such as smoking and vaping, cannabis-infused edibles are a good alternative.
Not all states with medical marijuana programs permit the sale of edibles containing THC, the compound found in marijuana that causes a high.
Furthermore, some states where edibles were not previously permitted now offer edibles at open dispensaries including Florida, Ohio, and Missouri. Patients should check with their state medical cannabis officials or their local dispensary to determine if edibles are available.
Let’s go over some of the most common questions associated with marijuana edibles.
How long do medical marijuana edibles take to produce effects?
While smoking and vaping produce almost instantaneous effects, cannabis-infused edibles often take thirty minutes to an hour or more to begin producing the desired effects. However, it can be well worth the wait, as the effect can be potent and long-lasting.
Different types of marijuana edibles have different effects and onset time. The onset time of edibles depends greatly on two factors — the type of edibles used and whether or not they are taken with a meal.
Cannabis-infused candy
Because they are almost all sugar, gummies, chocolate, and other cannabis-infused candies, when ingested on an empty stomach, will melt quickly and can take effect within 20 to 30 minutes. And because they deliver their contents into the system quickly, they are also metabolized more quickly. However, keep in mind that when eaten with a solid meal, the onset time will increase.
Baked cannabis edibles
Baked edibles such as brownies require more time to take effect than candy. This is because they contain fiber which does not melt as sugar does. Baked edibles will travel into the intestines and deliver cannabinoids into the system over a period of a couple of hours or more.
How long do the effects of marijuana edibles last?
After ingesting an edible marijuana product, one can expect the effects to last between 4-8 hours depending on whether they are taken with a meal, among other factors.
Cannabis-infused candy taken on an empty stomach will begin to circulate reasonably quickly — within 20-30 minutes — and will be mostly metabolized within 4 hours, give or take.
Baked edibles (or candy edibles taken with a meal) will deliver the cannabinoids over a period of hours depending on the patient’s rate of intestinal motility. As a result, the effects, although they will begin to taper off after 4 hours, can last up to 8 hours, although they generally begin to taper off after 4 hours.
What medical conditions are edibles good for?
Cannabinoids have two ways of reaching their destination.
Either they enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the entire body, or they can take effect at the site of administration (eg, stomach, intestines, bowel).
Any cannabinoids that enter the bloodstream will produce systemic effects such as helping the patient to feel less anxious, get a good night’s sleep, relieve body pains, or reduce symptoms such as involuntary body movements and seizures.
Medical conditions best treated with cannabis infuse candy
Cannabis-infused candy, because it is absorbed in the stomach is good for treating conditions of the stomach as well as systemic conditions:
• Conditions of the stomach
• Nausea
• Pain and inflammation
• Neurodegenerative conditions (MS, Parkinsons, ALS)
• Seizure disorders (epilepsy, etc.)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
Medical conditions best treated with baked goods (or candy when taken with a meal)
While baked edibles are better for treating conditions of the intestines such as Crohn’s disease, IBS, IBD, colitis, etc. Furthermore, baked marijuana edibles are preferred for medical marijuana users requiring extended relief.
• Conditions of the intestines and bowel
• Crohn’s disease
• IBS, IBD, etc.
• Sleep disorders
• Anxiety and depression
• Autoimmune disorders
• Chronic pain
How much marijuana edibles should be taken?
The ideal dosage of edibles depends on several factors, not the least of which is the amount of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) in the product. Other factors include body size, physical condition, the medical condition being treated, and whether or not the product contains certain terpenes, among other factors.
It’s a good idea to do some homework and see what other patients who are suffering from the same medical conditions and who share a similar lifestyle are finding to be the most effective.
Many states with medical marijuana programs will limit the amount of THC contained in one dose to 10mg. At first, patients should start with 2.5mg to 5mg to make sure they experience no unwanted side effects. The dosage can then be ramped up over the next few days until the desired effects are achieved. Common dosages are 10mg to 50mg for moderate conditions and up to 100mg or more for serious conditions such as seizures.
Can you take too much marijuana edibles?
Because edibles take time to work, oftentimes patients who use them can be fooled into thinking they didn’t take a large enough dosage. As a result, they take more and end up taking too much. This can be a very unpleasant situation if the products contain THC.
Users should start to feel effects in an hour, give or take. However, depending on the type of edibles consumed it can take another hour or more for the full effects to be felt.
The most important thing is for the patient to take their time in the early days of use until they become familiar with the product’s onset time and effects.
Where can you buy medical marijuana edibles?
Although many states that offer medical marijuana cards permit the production and sale of marijuana edibles, they are forbidden in some states. Check with a local medical marijuana dispensary.
In most states, depending on their laws, CBD products may be purchased over-the-counter. There are also many ways to purchase CBD edibles online.
Keep in mind that some CBD edibles contain trace amounts of THC. Although it’s not enough to cause intoxication, it might be enough to cause the user to fail a drug test.
Alex is a professional writer and digital marketing expert.