An increasing number of medical cannabis patients choose edibles—cannabis-infused products—as their medicine of choice. To meet patient needs, the edible cannabis selection is growing. Medical cannabis is now infused in peanut butter, honey, teas, drinks, candy, cookies and more. While there’s truth in the old song that says, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down,” patients need to understand a few basics in order to dose and enjoy edibles. Read on to learn 8 Tips to Dosing and Enjoying Edibles.

Here’s what you need to know.

 

  1. Know Yourself

Body chemistry, age, gender, and whether or not you have taken edibles before all play a role in how your body metabolizes the medicine. If you’re taking an edible for the first time, start with half the recommended dosage and wait two hours before evaluating how you feel. Adjust future doses accordingly.

  1. Take with Food

Like many medicines, patients should not take an edible on an empty stomach. If you’re not hungry, eat a cracker or two before ingesting an edible. If you’re hungry, it’s fine to take your medicine with or after a full meal.

  1. Understand Edible Dosing

Read the package! The standard edible dose of THC is 10 milligrams (patients new to edibles should start with a five-milligram dose) though there are often multiple doses in one package. Be sure to take only the appropriate dose, whether that means breaking a chocolate bar into squares, eating half a cookie, or spreading just one teaspoon of peanut butter on your toast.

  1. Understand the Effects of Different Types of Edibles

Edibles fall into three basic categories: those digested by the stomach, mouth, or both.

As you might imagine, edibles you have to chew—think cookies, brownies, and snacks—are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of these edibles take longer to kick in, but generally last much longer, often up to eight hours.

The effects of edibles that enter your body through the lining of your mouth—tinctures, lozenges, lollipops—are felt almost immediately, but last only two to three hours.

Hybrid edibles such as drinks and “meltable” candies are initially absorbed orally, providing quick relief. After swallowing, the medicine is absorbed gastrointestinally, which provides additional longer-term relief many patients seek.

  1. Know This: Alcohol and Edibles Do NOT Mix

 It’s best not to mix alcohol and edibles. If you choose to, know that the two together can cause nausea and dizziness.

  1. Be Patient and Plan Accordingly

 Edibles can take up to two hours to take effect. If you need quicker relief, consider another form of medical cannabis.

  1. Know What To Do If You Over-Indulge

Because it takes longer for edibles to take effect, some patients ingest more of the medicine than they should. If that happens, move to a safe place where you can sleep or at least rest until the effects wear off. If possible, keep high-CBD medicine on hand. Because CBD moderates THC’s sometimes unwanted effects, taking a CBD tincture or capsule can minimize the negative effects of ingesting too much medical cannabis.

  1. Keep Away From Children

As with any medicine, but especially with edibles that come in attractive packages or look like cookies or candy, it’s important to keep the products away from children. If possible, store edibles in a locked box or cabinet. At the least, store your medicine on a high shelf out of children’s reach. Teach your children that medicine is only for the patient and should never be taken without adult recommendation and supervision.

Wellness Connection is Here For You

If you have questions or concerns about medicating with edibles or any comments on the 8 tips to dosing and enjoying edibles, please contact us at info@mainewellness.org or come into one of our dispensaries located in Bath, Brewer, Gardiner or Portland Maine. We’re here to help you feel better and we’ll guide you in choosing the medical cannabis product that will provide relief and improve your quality of life.

 

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