Edible Cannabis Etiquette 101

Unlike inhaled cannabis, edible marijuana is metabolized by the liver. Metabolized marijuana means that more Cannabinoids are absorbed by the body. When you consume an edible the body creates specific metabolites of THC Cannabinoids. These THC metabolites are more psychoactive than THC alone. They also can pass the blood-brain block more efficiently. The efficient passage of THC implies that you’ll get a very dominant high from an edible.

One study found that up to one hundred percent of THC from a certain marijuana strain like Chemdawg 4 can be transformed into an active metabolite when consumed orally. Other studies put this number at the half. The research shows why edibles are so much more beneficial and lasting than inhaled cannabis.

Edibles are compact, safe and provide long-lasting effects. Cannabis oil can be ingested or consumed when added to cookies, pastries, candy, cakes, sauces, gravies, salad dressings and various meals. It can also be concocted into a coffee, beer, tea, or any other refreshment of your choosing.  One advice of discretion for those with limited or no knowledge of edibles – go easy. Free your schedule and take a low to moderate dose on an empty stomach for the first course, so you get your bearings. Because this high is different from smoking, it can come as quite a surprise.

After consuming an edible, it takes one to two hours before the high kicks in. Once it does, it can remain up to five or six hours. Don’t get delusions of going back for seconds too soon just because you don’t feel anything right away. This is a common mistake.

Instead heed these steps on how to to consume edible marijuana so you can avoid a negative cannabis experience:

Pay attention to your surroundings

Don’t have false expectations about your first-time with an edible. Many people take edibles and instantly want to consume them as if they were any regular food. This approach is problematic as the edibles market is very diverse in its dosing and concentration. Therefore, create an expectation of discovery with any new marijuana edible. You won’t recognize how it affects your body until you actually consume it. So make sure your surroundings and mental space are ready for a relaxing time and that you’re in a secure place. It’s also wise not to attempt any new edibles alone.

Fine-tune, begin with a small bite and wait

Most edibles are marked with information about the amount of marijuana used in them.  Do some simple counting and divide the edible up so that you have approximately ten milligrams per dose, based on the edible’s complete THC or CBD content. If it’s a twenty milligrams edible, break off half. Ingest this much and wait for an hour to recognize what are the effects. It can take up to a couple of hours for an edible to completely metabolize.

If you are not feeling anything after an hour, wait at least another thirty minutes. Then, eat an extra half of what you just consumed. If you initially ate half of that twenty milligrams edible, break off another half, leaving a quarter of the consumable. Wait another thirty minutes again. Repeat until you discover a dose that works for you.

Getting high on edibles has something to do with how our body metabolizes substances, (mainly orally). The body produces energy to break down these substances. Let’s use boiling water as an example. It takes a lot of heat (energy) to get it to the boiling point, and once it starts to evaporate it doesn’t take much energy to maintain the reaction. This reaction is the same as your euphoric psychological state as well. If you don’t sense anything on your initial dose it’s because you need more THC to be broken down in your body. What you need to do is find the precisely right amount to start out with, without boiling over.

Use a Weighing Scale

It’s challenging to determine out how much of an edible is adequate to consume. The resolution here is to a get a weighing scale precise to a tenth of a gram so that you can weigh how much you are consuming. If you’re sober at all about responsibly tempering your consciousness, a scale is an excellent investment. This manner is the best way to discover your optimal dosage.

Before you rock and roll, having knowledge on how to properly consume an edible will allow you to indulge your cravings. Eat well!