Weed Edibles Guide

Venturing into the
World of Cannabis Cuisine

What are Cannabis Edibles?

Cannabis edibles are delectable snacks and treats that people consume instead of smoking marijuana. They are also commonly called weed edibles or marijuana edibles.

Just like any food, they will taste different depending on the person making the edibles and the various ingredients that are being used in the recipe. It’s best to buy from a trusted cannabis store to ensure you’re getting the safest and most quality product. This will also ensure that you’re reaping the most medicinal and therapeutic benefits from your edibles.  If you’re wary about buying edibles or you want to put your cooking and baking skills to the test, you can even learn how to make them for yourself!

Through the words of this weed edible guide, we will travel into the depths of the delicious world of cannabis cuisine. Get your taste buds ready, because you are in for a treat! 

We will start by covering the different kinds of weed edibles. We will also detail the effects of edibles, as well as their benefits, medical uses, and potential side effects. 

Other questions that will be answered in this guide include how much edibles to consume and how long the effects of the edibles will last.

With that out of the way, let’s dive into the good stuff!

Marijuana Edibles Canada

Since the legalization of marijuana in Canada, cannabis edibles have seen some impressive advancements. People within the Canadian cannabis community have become more tolerant of edibles and the many benefits they can provide. In fact, more and more Canadian citizens are trying edibles every day. 

This has led to an increased number of weed edibles that are available to consumers. Customers can now peruse thousands of edible cannabis products from any one of the innumerable marijuana dispensaries in Canada. Citizens can even shop for cannabis online from the privacy of their residence through an online marijuana dispensary.

How Do Edibles Work?

Since edibles are becoming more popular every day, you might be wondering how these yummy treats work.

Cannabinoids

The first important thing to understand about edibles is cannabinoids. There are more than 480 natural compounds found in cannabis. Of those 480 compounds, 66 of them are classified as cannabinoids. The most well-known cannabinoid in the bunch is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC.

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the cannabinoid that gives weed its intoxicating effects. It’s the part of cannabis that’s responsible for a person’s high when they’re smoking or consuming marijuana. THC is the most known and researched cannabinoid found in weed.

Based on a number of studies, researchers have found that THC is a lipid-soluble compound that binds to body fat. Upon activation, the THC binds to the receptors in our brain, creating the intoxicating effects that marijuana is known for. Once attached, the effects of the drug are sent from the brain to the rest of the body. This results in the pleasant feelings and sensations that are often associated with cannabis usage.

Consuming THC in edible form interacts differently with the body than vaping or smoking. With the help of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), the body metabolizes the edibles. In general, edibles are broken down much slower than other methods of THC consumption. This leads to a longer duration of effects. In fact, it can take an hour or more to finally feel the effects of an edible. 

In addition to the above, ingesting THC can lead to an increased set of effects. According to Dr. Uwe Blesching, the author of The Cannabis Health Index, THC gets broken down into metabolites when ingested. One such metabolite is called 11-OH-THC. 

Dr. Blesching continues, saying this metabolite is “much more potent as far as psychoactivity is concerned because it crosses the blood-brain barrier up to four times faster than just THC.” He expands on this, saying, “you’re not just getting the high effect from THC, you’re also getting the effect of the metabolites.”

This explains why taking cannabis edibles can feel much more intense than smoking the same amount of THC. Because of this, it’s important to take edibles in a slow and steady manner.

Are Weed Edibles Safe?

How safe edibles are will depend on two things: how responsible the cannabis user is and how knowledgeable they are about edibles.  To put it simply, weed edibles are safe if you take a reasonable dose and partake in cannabis consumption in a responsible manner. The best way to achieve this is by researching edibles and recognizing your body and its limits.  

In general, cannabis is relatively safe. The same mentality goes for edibles. One major area of concern is that some edibles are made to look exactly like their THC-free counterparts. This means that there’s always the possibility that an unsuspecting person could come across what appears to be a delicious brownie, only to find out that it contains THC.  It’s often in these moments that people start to panic because they were not expecting to consume marijuana. 

While accidentally eating an edible as an adult can be scary, the dangers of eating pot edibles are worse for children. Large doses of weed edibles can be extremely dangerous to young people.  In addition, it’s also important to ensure that your pets are kept safe when you have edibles in the house.  

Because of the potential dangers, it is extremely important that you keep your edibles clearly labeled and out of reach of children and animals. In fact, Canadian law requires that edibles are kept in a child-proof container and are clearly labeled as containing THC.

Finally, it’s key to remember that cannabis edibles are psychoactive. This means they can produce an intense set of effects so proper care and precautions needs to be taken. Do not partake in any dangerous activity, which includes driving or operating heavy machinery. As a general rule of thumb, if it seems like a bad idea to do under the influence of marijuana, it probably is. 

By increasing your awareness of potential dangers and following the guidelines outlined above, you’re more likely to have a safe and enjoyable edible experience. 

Uses and Effects of Cannabis Edibles

Weed Edible Effects

Due to its complexity, the marijuana plant and its various compounds, produce a wide range of effects. Since the legalization of cannabis, this has led to a greater focus on the potency of the bud that’s being produced. In fact, with the new, creative methods of growing and production that have been discovered cannabis is actually stronger now than it was a couple of decades ago. 

Another added benefit of legalization is that cannabis research will be less restricted, allowing further discoveries to be made. In fact, McGill University’s Research Centre for Cannabis is one of the leaders in marijuana science in Canada. 

Most Common Effects Associated With Cannabis Edibles:

Relaxed state of the body, mind, and soul Euphoria is felt throughout the body Episodes of lethargy Sedative effects on the body and mind Excessive hunger, aka The Munchies

Laughing General happiness Uplifted mood Bouts of creativity

This list is only a sampling of the many effects that cannabis can provide.  

It’s important to remember that the effects of cannabis can also be influenced by things like the type of strain being used, cannabinoids, terpenes, personal tolerance, and an individual’s metabolic rate.

Medical Benefits of Marijuana Edibles

The primary reason that weed edibles are now legal in Canada is the wide range of potential benefits and effects for its users. This list of benefits continues to grow all the time. 

It may surprise some to know that recreational cannabis users are not the only ones who consume edibles. In fact, many are medical marijuana patients who use THC to help with various medical conditions. Surprisingly enough, Canadian senior citizens make up the demographic with the highest increases in cannabis usage rates since legalization. This makes sense since seniors are the age group who would most benefit from the effects of cannabis due to the number of health issues that people face as they age. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, teen usage rates are down since weed became legal. Even with an increased selection of dispensaries, Canadian teenagers are using less marijuana. 

Most Common Medical Uses of Marijuana Edibles:

Anxiety Depression Stress Body pain Inflammation

Muscle spasms Insomnia Lack of Appetite Nausea PTSD

ADD/ADHD Vomiting Spasticity Movement Disorders Glaucoma

Epilepsy Addiction Suppression HIV/AIDS Psychiatric Symptoms Autoimmune Diseases

It should be noted that the medical uses of marijuana goes beyond the items listed here. Cannabis edibles can affect individuals differently, so it’s prudent to remember that what works for one person may not work for another.

Side Effects of Weed Edibles

Having alluded to the dangers of cannabis edibles earlier, this section will dive deeper into the potential risks that one takes when consuming THC. 

One of the most common side effects of edibles is slow reaction time. This slow reaction time, paired with decreased hand-eye coordination, can make even simple tasks difficult. This is why operating vehicles or heavy machinery should be avoided while high. 

Some people are led to believe that driving under the influence of marijuana is safer than when sober. However, studies have shown that driving while under the influence of large doses of cannabis can be disastrous. In fact,  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has a strong stance against mixing cannabis consumption with driving. More than 50% of the Canadian public believes at least 3 hours should elapse before driving.

Operating heavy machinery or other dangerous activities are also not advised. Simply put, any dangerous activity that requires awareness and reaction time should be avoided while under the influence of cannabis. 

Beyond accidents, cannabis users sometimes face a handful of negative effects. On the plus side, these negative side effects are usually minor and short-lived. Cannabis users often do not even notice the negative effects the majority of the time. 

Unfortunately, there are some cases where this is not true and negative side effects can happen. Oftentimes, these negative effects are due to some level of overconsumption or mixing of substances. This can usually be attributed to improper use or irresponsible consumption. Other times, negative effects can happen to users on accident. 

What are the main negative effects that cannabis users should look out for?

Most Common Side Effects Associated With Cannabis Edibles:

Dry Mouth Red Eyes Lethargy Dizziness Paranoia Anxiousness

Headaches Nausea Vomiting Chest Pain Rapid Heart Rate Memory Retention Issues

Coordination Issues Increased Heart Rate Decreased Blood Pressure Drowsiness Slow Reaction Time

How To Take Marijuana Edibles

Now that we are familiar with how they work and what they do, let’s cover how to consume edibles. 

The first piece of information we need to understand is the different types of cannabis edibles that are available. There are certain variations that you can eat like any other food. There are even ones that come in beverage form! There are also edibles that are packaged in capsules and taken like oral medication.

Different Types of Cannabis Edibles

1. Baked Edibles

Baked edibles are what people stereotypically imagine when talking about weed edibles. These sweet and tasty baked goods are made by infusing THC into the batter prior to baking. Sometimes, the THC is simply added to the recipe and put in the mixture like any other ingredient. Another option is to add the THC to the butter that goes in the recipe. Once baked, these confections can be eaten just like their drug-free counterparts. 

Arguably the two most popular baked edibles are Pot Brownies and Weed Cookies.

2. Pot Brownies

Due to the influence of popular culture, weed brownies have grown in popularity over the years. This is because they are often mentioned in stoner films and television shows.

If you ask a well-seasoned cannabis consumer if they have ever had one, their answer would likely be yes. These chocolatey treats are the perfect option for any stoner with a sweet tooth. 

3. Weed Cookies

Cannabis cookies are one of the most commonly baked edible available. This is because cookies are easy to bake and can be made in large batches. In addition, they are easy to break apart and share with those around you. It’s not very often that anyone turns down a cookie!

The next category of edible is weed candies. The more popular versions of these are weed gummies and cannabis chocolate.

4. Weed Gummies

Weed gummies have been gaining traction within the cannabis community the past couple of years. Their sudden popularity is likely on account of their delicious and fun flavors. Anyone who likes gummy candies will definitely like these! 

The best thing about THC gummies is that you can buy them in pre-set doses of THC. This means you don’t have to worry about if you are getting your personal dosage measurements correct. However, it is almost impossible to make sure each piece has the exact same amount of THC. In batches that are mixed correctly, however, THC content is fairly consistent. 

In addition to buying these yummy treats, they’re also easy to make at home!. All you need is some THC distillate, the necessary ingredients, and a solid gummy candy recipe. 

5. Cannabis Chocolate

For all the chocolate lovers out there, fear not. There is a large variety of cannabis chocolate products available for purchase. These delicious creamy treats are perfect for chocoholics who like to thoroughly enjoy their marijuana. 

It’s usually best to purchase THC chocolate from a trusted cannabis store. This is because making chocolate is a rather involved process. It’s not necessarily difficult, but it takes much more time and effort than making other types of edibles. Buying from a trusted dispensary also ensures high-quality chocolate.  However, if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of guides on how to make weed chocolate.

6. THC Syrup

Beyond weed candies, there are THC syrups and jams. These products are the perfect addition to whatever you like to add syrup and jam to. This could include pancakes and toast! Just be sure you know how much THC is included in each serving and avoid consuming too much. This will ensure that you don’t experience any of the nasty side effects we discussed previously.

7. Weed Tea

Another edible option is weed tea. For those who enjoy a cup of the steaming beverage, this is the perfect option! The only thing better than the weed tea is the high you will experience a few hours after drinking it. 

Normal tea is already a large part of many people’s lives across the globe. This is because it is believed to give its drinkers a wide array of therapeutic benefits. When you combine those effects with cannabis and make marijuana tea, the therapeutic effects are amplified.

Cannabis tea is simple to make and there are a number of guides that walk you through how to make the delectable drink.

8. Cannabis Capsules

Cannabis capsules are for marijuana consumers that prefer a more medical approach to their cannabis consumption. Those who opt for the capsules usually don’t like the taste or smell of cannabis in its other forms. Another reason to opt for cannabis capsules is users who don’t wish to inhale anything in their lungs. In addition, people who are diabetic can’t indulge in the sweets mentioned earlier, making capsules a good alternative.

THC pills have the added benefit of being properly proportioned into specified doses, similar to what’s seen in weed gummies. However, THC capsules are much easier to portion than gummies and other edibles because there aren’t extra ingredients, like flour or gelatin, to worry about when considering the dosing. 

9. Tinctures

The last cannabis edible we will discuss is THC tincture. A tincture a liquid form of cannabis concentrate, primarily used for oral consumption. Whether you’re a medical or recreational user of marijuana, you’re bound to like one of these THC tincture products.

To many people, the term tincture is interchangeably used with the term oil. However, cannabis oil and cannabis tincture are not the same thing. Tinctures are created by soaking marijuana in an alcohol or water solution. During the soaking, cannabinoids collect in the solution. Generally speaking, a tincture is any type of medicine that is housed in an alcohol solution. 

As a whole, the Canadian cannabis tincture community is growing as a result of new medical marijuana users being introduced to the therapeutic plant.

Most Popular Weed Edibles

Baked Edibles Pot Brownies Weed Cookies Weed Tea

Weed Gummies Cannabis Chocolate THC Syrup THC Caramels

Cannabis Capsules Cannabis Drinks THC Tincture

Now that you know the basic kinds of edibles, how should you determine how much you can take?

This is hardly a simple question, since many factors affect the effects felt by cannabis edibles. Some of the most important things to consider is the body weight, tolerance level, and metabolic rate of the user in question. Someone who is 240 pounds will more likely need a larger dose than a smaller individual that only weighs 120 pounds. 

In addition, consistent marijuana users will typically need a higher dose than an individual who is just starting to consume cannabis. 

Lastly, a person’s metabolic rate will play a large role in which effects are felt and how long they last.  Someone with a high metabolic rate will break down the cannabinoids in an edible quicker. This will cause the user to get high more quickly and from a lower amount, but their high will have a shorter duration. 

Below is a chart outlining recommended dosages for THC edibles based on cannabis usage levels.

LEVEL	THC	EFFECTS	FOR WHO
Very Light	1 to 2.5 mg	Very Mild	Newcomers or microdosers
Light	2.5 to 7.5 mg	Mild	Light Users
Moderate	7.5 to 15 mg	Moderate	Novice Users
Medium	15 to 30 mg	Medium	Intermediate Users
High	30 – 50 mg	Intense	Heavy Users
Very High	50 – 100 mg	Hero	Daily Heavy Users
Hero	+100 mg	Hero Intensity	Hero Stoners

Some important considerations to remember are that body weight and metabolism could affect if a user should take more or less than what is recommended. If you’re not sure how much you should take, it is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and start with a lower dose. That way, you can always take more, if needed. This will help minimize any negative effects that can be caused by eating too many edibles.

As a good rule of thumb, it is suggested that users wait about an hour for the effects of the edible to take hold before consuming more. 

How Long Do Edibles Last?

The main disadvantage of edibles is that they don’t keep for as long as other marijuana products. Edibles are only made to last as long as the food item does, which can be a wide range of time. For example, pot brownies will last a shorter amount of time than  weed capsules. 

It would be a tragedy to lose out on your edible cannabis products, so it is extremely important to know how to properly store them to ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible. 

How To Store Edibles?

The fridge or the freezer is going to be the best place to store perishable edibles. If you opt to store your edibles in a freezer, be sure to place them into freezer-safe bags, otherwise, you run the risk of ruining them. This will greatly extend the shelflife of your products. In addition, users should keep their THC out of sunlight as it can break down and degrade the quality of the cannabinoids.

As a friendly reminder, marijuana edibles should be kept in child-proof containers that are properly labeled and kept out of the reach of children and animals.

How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?

As mentioned earlier, edibles can provide users with a wide variety of therapeutic effects and benefits. Most of the effects last longer when using edibles, compared to vaping or smoking. But what happens when you no longer feel the effects?  Even though the effects are over doesn’t mean the THC is out of your system. 

With this in mind, how long does marijuana from edibles stay in your body? Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear cut answer. There are a wide variety of variables that need to be considered. THC can be found in the system from days to months after the last consumption.  How much you consume, how often you consume it and your body type all play a role in figuring out how long weed stays in your system. 

Below are 6 different variables that can affect how long marijuana remains present in your body.

Is There a Quick Way to Get THC Out of Your System?

You might be curious if there is a way to metabolize the THC in your body more quickly. The answer is no. There are currently no known safe methods to break down THC quicker so that it exits your body sooner. In order for THC to break down faster you need to lower the THC concentration in your body to speed the process up.