THC Edibles

What are edibles?

Edibles are food or drink products that have been combined with the psychoactive component of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). the THC is extracted from the plant in the form of an oil which is then mixed with butter or other ingredients in order for it to be easily combined with food or drinks.

These food and drink products are ingested orally and provide similar effects to smoking weed, though often over a long period of time.

As the amount of THC in edibles can vary depending on where it was made and the volume of oil infused, different edibles can cause more intense reactions than others. Additionally, some edibles manufactured by drug dealers may be laced with other, more harmful, substances such as fentanyl or meth.

What types of edibles are there?

Traditionally, edibles were mainly backed confectionaries such as brownies or muffins as they could be easily combined and made with THC oil, the same substance used to make THC concentrates like shatter.

In recent years, edibles have gained increased popularity across the United States and Europe and are now available in a wide range of food and beverage products.

Some of the most popular common forms of edible include:^[1]

• Confectionaries (brownies, cakes, muffins, cookies)
• CBN gummies
• Hard candies
• Gummies
• Chocolate
• Popcorn
• HHC gummies
• Beverages
• Tea
• Coffee

While these are some of the most popular commercial forms of edibles, chefs and home cooks are constantly coming up with new concoctions and recipes that use THC as a primary ingredient. In states where marijuana is legal, there are restaurants where the entire menu is based around cannabis and edibles, such as Popcultivate in LA, The Heart of Chicago Bakery in Chicago, and Big Bad Wolf, which is a fine-dining pop-up hosted around San Francisco. Some restaurants have even started using psilocybin edibles in microdose portions as they have been shown to greatly improve mood.

Related guide: How long does THC stay in your system?

Are edibles legal?

In short yes, depending on which state you are in.^[2] As with marijuana and other THC products in their pure form, certain states in the US have decriminalized weed and some have it available legally as a form of medication.

In these states (such as Colorado or California), consuming and purchasing edibles is completely legal, though some states have different laws regarding edibles not purchased from dedicated vendors.

In the UK and parts of Europe, purchasing and consuming edibles isn’t strictly legal, though many countries have more relaxed laws around them and harsh fines and prison sentences are rare.

How much do edibles cost?

The cost of edibles varies depending on the type of product, where it was made, and the strength of THC in it.

On average across the USA, the price per milligram of THC is 20 cents, meaning candies can start at $5 and high-end edibles with higher THC content (and often better ingredients) can cost anywhere from $50 to $100. This means that THC edibles can cost more than regular marijuana.

What are the effects of taking edibles?

Dosing edibles

Knowing the exact dose of edibles needed can be difficult to intuit for those new to cannabinoids, especially without having previously taken edibles or spoken with a cannabinoid specialist first. Dr. Jordan Tishler of InhaleMD had this to say on dosing edibles;

Edibles come in a wide range of doses that can vary between brands and types of products. 5mg is a general standard but higher doses may be available and often are hard to discern. In someone who has not developed a significant tolerance to cannabis already, doses between 2.5-20mg are likely to be successful. There is no truth to the idea that worse pain or more severe illness requires higher doses.

It has long been a mantra of proponents of cannabis legalization that patients need higher doses. This is simply not true. However, this assertion leads to higher allowances in medical programs that suit industry and heavy recreational users (who get themselves a card) just fine. In fact, patients, if given appropriate medical guidance, need less than recreational users. ^[4]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Jordan Tishler

MD

How long do edibles last?

The effects of edibles often come on within 1 hour of ingesting and will last between 2 and 12 hours but can have residual effects for up to 24hrs.^[3] As well as the user's physical attributes, the strain of THC used in the edible can greatly affect how long its effects are felt, how powerful they will be, and how long the edibles will stay in your system.

If the effects of edibles last for longer than 12 hours or if the user starts to feel side effects uncommon for THC, there is a chance the edible they have consumed may be laced with another substance. If you have consumed edibles and start to experience severe side effects such as respiratory depression then contact the emergency services.

Are edibles addictive?

As with regular cannabis and other THC-containing substances (such as vapes), the effects of edibles on the brain's pleasure and reward center can lead to tolerance and dependence if consumed in high doses or for long periods of time. However, addiction to edibles is not widely reported and those who suffer from a marijuana use disorder will often take the substance in various ways. Dr. Tishler had this to add;

Tolerance, in general, is not a good thing, and can lead to escalating dose, dependence, and even addiction. The best way to avoid increasing tolerance it to find the minimum effective dose with your cannabinoid specialist and stick to that regimen unless instructed otherwise. ^[4]

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Medical advisor

Dr. Jordan Tishler

MD