The Ultimate CBD Edibles, Gummies, and Snacks Guide

Among the various cannabis-related products available on the market, CBD edibles, gummies, and snacks are particularly popular. These products let you consume cannabis-related products without psychoactive effects and come in a vast range of forms. 

Before picking the CBD edibles, snacks, or gummies to buy, learn a bit more about what to expect from these products and how to choose them. 

What Is CBD?

If you want to consume CBD edibles or gummies, then you should probably be familiar with what CBD is. CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound that naturally occurs in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of over a hundred cannabinoids, with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol being another one. 

CBD Interacts With the Endocannabinoid System

The effects that people associate with CBD come from its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This is part of the central nervous system, and the effects occur as the cannabinoids interact with specific endocannabinoid receptors. 

CBD Is Not Psychoactive 

CBD does not have any psychoactive properties, so consuming an edible or snack that contains pure CBD will not get you high. It should also not show up on a drug test. However, if your chosen product contains THC, then you may notice the psychoactive effects. 

Creating CBD Oil and Extracts

There are multiple methods of extracting CBD from the cannabis or hemp plant. Many CBD edibles, gummies, and snacks contain CBD oil, which can come from the resin, flowers, and leaves of the plant. 

Are CBD Gummies, Edibles, and Snacks Legal?

There is a complex legal framework in place regarding cannabis and hemp. Cannabis is illegal at the federal level, but many states have legalized it. By contrast, hemp is permitted at the federal level, provided it has less than 0.3 percent THC. This is a relatively recent development in the legal landscape, occurring thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. 

The result is that many CBD edibles, gummies, and snacks are legal across the United States. To be legal, they must be made from hemp instead of marijuana, and the hemp extract cannot contain over 0.3 percent THC. 

If you live in a state with legal marijuana, then CBD gummies, snacks, and edibles will always be legal, assuming you meet any requirements, such as age restrictions or medical marijuana licensing. If you live somewhere that does not have legal marijuana, pay close attention to the details of your CBD edible to confirm its legality. 

How Edibles Compare to Other CBD Products

Even if you are familiar with using CBD via other options like pills, capsules, vaping, oils, tinctures, lotions, creams, or directly from cannabis, there are some distinctions when consuming it via edibles. 

They Take Longer to Start Working

If you plan to consume a CBD edible, you should know that it would take a little longer for you to begin feeling the effects compared to other methods, like tinctures. This is because the edible must go through the digestive system for your body to separate the CBD and make use of it. 

This means that if you do not feel the effects yet, wait. Do not ingest more, at least not within several hours. It is best to wait a day and try again with a higher dose. 

They Last Longer Than Other Methods

Compared to other methods of consuming CBD, the effects of edibles, snacks, and gummies tend to last longer. This comes from the fact that your body has to digest it, and during digestion, your body will slowly release the CBD over time. Compared to inhaling CBD, consuming edibles may last up to four hours long. 

Reduced Risk of Irritated Lungs

One of the common concerns about smoking cannabis or using a vape pen to consume CBD is the risk of lung irritation. This comes from the inhalation of certain plant elements with full-leaf marijuana and some of the thinning agents used in vape products. 

If you are concerned about lung irritation when consuming CBD, edibles can be a great alternative. Your lungs will not be involved in the process at all, eliminating the potential for irritation. 

They Are Discreet

Many people also appreciate the discretion that comes with CBD edibles. They are not as obvious as using a vape pen or dropping a tincture under your tongue. Instead, it looks like you are merely having a snack or a sweet treat while enjoying your CBD. This can be particularly helpful for those who occasionally or regularly consume CBD in public. 

Always Start With a Small Dose

Whether you are consuming a CBD edible or CBD via another source, or even marijuana in general, you should start with a smaller quantity and increase it in the future, if you need to. 

Most people will not experience any significant side effects from consuming pure CBD, but you may be the exception to the rule. Because of this, all experts suggest you start with a small amount of CBD. Snacks, gummies, and edibles will all be proportioned with dosing information. 

Follow the package’s suggestions and go with a lower dose initially. If you do not notice the desired effects, then wait until the following day and increase the amount of CBD you consume slightly. 

Choosing Your CBD Edibles

There are hundreds of CBD edibles to choose from, so you will want to have a few things in mind to help you narrow down your choices. 

Isolate Vs. Full-spectrum

The first thing to think about when it comes to your CBD edibles is whether you prefer an isolate or a full-spectrum product. Isolates only have single cannabis or hemp-derived component, the CBD. By contrast, full-spectrum products will have other cannabis-derived cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. 

Many people find that full-spectrum products offer better effects due to components interacting with each other via something called the entourage effect. However, full-spectrum products may have psychoactive effects and may show up on a drug test. By contrast, products that are CBD isolates will not show up on a drug test or be psychoactive. 

The issue of isolate vs. full-spectrum products will also depend somewhat on your local laws. If cannabis is illegal in your area, then you may need to stick to isolates. At the very least, you must ensure any full-spectrum edibles you choose have less than 0.3 percent THC and are hemp-based. 

Types of Edible

One of the most important considerations is the types of edible that you want. This comes down to personal preference, with the most common edibles, including gummies and chocolates. However, you can find nearly any type of snack or edible that you want, infused with CBD. The following are just some of the types of products you can find with CBD: 

• Gummies
• Chocolate
• Granola or similar bars or bites
• Cookies
• Brownies 
• Almonds and other nuts
• Candies and lollipops
• Smoothies
• Parfaits
• Trail mix
• Chips
• Popcorn
• Popsicles
• Salsa
• Dried fruit
• Crackers
• Honey
• Syrup
• Peanut butter
• Olive oil
• Salad dressing
• Vinaigrette
• Coffee creamer

Other Ingredients

You should also think about whether you care what other ingredients are in your CBD edibles. There are two aspects to this consideration, the items you want and those you want to avoid. Maybe you want to avoid an allergen or ensure that your product is free from preservatives and artificial colors. Or, perhaps you need something vegan, gluten-free, or both. 

It is also common for CBD products to contain other beneficial ingredients. For example, you may find gummies that also contain melatonin to help you fall asleep at night. Or, you may discover gummies that have other natural nutrients, such as turmeric. 

Certificates of Analysis

There is still minimal regulation concerning CBD products, so consumers must complete their research and identify the products that are safe to consume. Most companies make this easy by offering a certificate of analysis with independent testing results. Look for this type of testing, known as a certificate of analysis. It should confirm the CBD concentration as well as which ingredients are present, including the lack of harmful chemicals. 

Can You Make Your Own CBD Edibles?

If you prefer, you could also make your own CBD edibles or snacks. Those who are more adventurous could even make CBD gummies, but few people have experience making gummies at home. 

The most popular way to make CBD edibles is to add CBD oil to whatever you are currently making. You could also incorporate one of the edible elements mentioned above, like CBD honey or CBD peanut butter, into your favorite recipe instead of the traditional version. 

A Note on Dosage

We already mentioned that when consuming CBD edibles, you should start with a lower dose and work your way up over time. It is also important to note that dosing with edibles can sometimes be challenging, especially with homemade products. 

If you buy an edible, gummy, or another snack, pay attention to the portion size and the dose per portion. Most products will be designed to make it easy to calculate dosage. Gummies, for example, will tell you how much CBD is in each piece. Chocolates tend to have break lines and show you the CBD per square. 

When it comes to dosing with CBD edibles, you will get the most accurate if you get single-serving items or something that comes in individual pieces like cookies or gummies. For other items, be aware that there may be some slight variations, especially if you are not exact with your serving size. 

Some Popular CBD Edibles, Gummies, and Snacks

With this information in mind, it is time to look at some of the CBD gummies, snacks, and edibles worth considering. All of the products mentioned here are of high quality, and we included a range of options to suit all tastes. You will notice that many of them also contain THC. 

BuudaBomb Blue Raspberry Gummies

For those who want CBD as well as other cannabis-based compounds in their edible and need a vegan option, these gummies from BuudaBomb are perfect. They feature real fruit juices and take between 40 and 50 minutes to begin feeling the effects. The entire package has 100 mg of THC. 

Mota Chocolate Bars

Among the long list of CBD and cannabis edibles from Mota, you will find chocolate bars. These bars are available as dark chocolate, dark chocolate raspberry, or chocolate mint and are divided into six sections. Each bar has either 125 or 300 mg of THC. 

Mota CBD Spray

Another popular CBD edible from Mota is its CBD spray. This is discreet and minty fresh. It is not what most people think of when they picture an edible as you do not eat it, you spray it. It does, however, still fit the category. Because you spray it under your tongue, expect more rapid absorption than with other edibles. 

Mota Hard Candies

Showing the extensive selection from Mota, the company has hard candies, with 100 mg of THC along with 20 mg of CBD. There are five flavors to choose from, including fruity options and root beer sativa. 

Mota also has CBD honey, lollipops, and a vast range of gummies. 

Twisted Extracts Edibles

These edibles from Twisted Extracts are one of the CBD edibles that also contain THC, which is something significant to keep in mind. As such, you should only consume them in areas where cannabis is legal and should be prepared for psychoactive effects. The Black Cherry or Raspberry flavors have 80 mg of THC and are from indica cannabis while the Cherry and Apple flavors have 80 mg of THC and are from sativa. Other flavors are also available, including Mango, which has 40 mg each of THC and CBD. Each package contains eight separate doses, each with 10 mg. The bags are resealable with ease, letting you keep your edibles fresh. 

The Takeaway

CBD edibles, gummies, and snacks offer a convenient method of consuming CBD, mixed into your favorite snack or treat. There are hundreds of varieties available, and they should not produce any psychoactive effects, assuming you choose the right product. Edibles take longer to start working than vaping or tinctures, but they also deliver longer-lasting results, making them worth the wait.