Cannabis Edibles
Gummies, beverages, hard candy, brownies, chocolate, gum, mints—the range of cannabis edibles just keeps on growing.
According to Health Canada, whether a cannabis product is an edible depends in part on its format. They are defined as products intended to be consumed as one would a food or drink. This category doesn’t include cannabis flower, plants or seeds. Nor are cannabis oils or softgels considered to be edibles.
Edibles are made by mixing cannabinoids into different products. This can be done using cannabis isolates (THC and/or CBD alone without terpenes or other minor cannabinoids) or distillates/extracts (which may include terpenes and minor cannabinoids). The isolate or extract is then infused in a fat-soluble medium such as medium chain triglycerides from vegetable oil, like Wana gummies.
START LOW, GO SLOW - CONSUMING EDIBLES SAFELY
While it may take a while to feel the effects of edibles, they can be more intense and last longer than when cannabis products are inhaled. For that reason, it’s important to start low and go slow until you know get a good idea of your tolerance. Beginners should start with a low-potency product to limit the ingestion of THC. A good suggestion for beginners is to start with 1–2.5 mg THC or CBN.
How long it takes before you experience the effects of a cannabis edible can vary and depends, in part, on the cannabinoid profile of the product. According to Health Canada, it can take between 30 minutes and two hours to begin feeling the effects of ingested cannabis products. More importantly, it can take up to four hours to feel the full effects from eating or drinking cannabis. That’s why it’s important not to consume more within those first four hours. Consuming more than you are able to tolerate can lead to adverse effects that may require medical attention.
The effects from eating or drinking cannabis-containing products can last up to 12 hours and, in some cases, even as long as 24 hours. Before consuming, make sure you have enough time to allow for full effects to pass.
Start low, go slow
Take your time to learn what works best for you. As a rule, if it’s your first time using edibles, use a low starting dose of THC and wait a day. If the starting dose is ineffective, consume more and wait a day to assess the effects before consuming even more. Continue in this manner until you reach a dose that provides optimal benefit with minimal side effects.
Types of cannabis edibles
Cannabis edibles can come in the form of gummies, chocolate and beverages. All of these formats are limited to 10mg of THC per pack. While ingestible oils, softgels and sublingual strips are “eaten”, they are technically not considered edibles and have different package size limitations.
Why do edibles have a different effect than inhaled cannabis?
When you smoke cannabis, the lungs break down the cannabinoids which go to the brain through the bloodstream. However, when you eat or drink cannabis, your body processes it differently than if it is smoked or vaped. When we usually talk about consuming THC by vaping or smoking, we are referring to delta-9 THC. When you eat/ingest a product containing THC, your digestive system and liver take the time to convert THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is more potent and lasts longer in your system than delta-9 THC. In fact, 11-hydroxy THC is 3–7 times more potent than delta-9 THC! Not only that, but the amount of 11-hydroxy-THC in the blood following consumption of an edible is about 3 times higher than what is seen following inhalation. The ‘high’ from 11-hydroxy THC may take longer to kick in compared to inhalation, but its effects can last much longer.
Wana Quick gummies
Wana Quick edible products leverage a proprietary a technology called Azuca TiME infusion, which is designed with the intent to speed up absorption by allowing molecules to bypass the liver and deliver THC directly into the bloodstream. This is why Wana Quick gummies may deliver a THC ‘high’ that feels more like smoking or vaping.
Whether you’re looking for an edible or drink containing THC, CBD or one of the minor cannabinoids, you can find them in the Spectrum Therapeutics Shop.
Health Canada regulations
To support safe consumption, Health Canada limits the amount of THC in a drink container or package of edibles to 10 mg, or less THC per container. Edibles also can’t contain added vitamins, minerals, nicotine or alcohol and, like all cannabis products, edibles cannot make health claims.
Like all food, cannabis edibles do expire. Smell the edible before consuming. If it smells off or “unappetizing” to you, don’t eat it. Remember, edibles take longer to kick in so start with a lower dose (e.g., 2.5mg THC) if you have little experience with cannabis. Buy edibles that can easily be cut in half or quarters while figuring out how it affects your body.