Weed Edibles: What Are They and How Long Do They Last

Edibles are food products that contain cannabis extracts. They come in various forms from chocolates and baked goods to beverages and lozenges. Edibles commonly contain CBD (cannabidiol) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), active ingredients in marijuana.

Some of the reported benefits of edibles include improvement of pain and anxiety symptoms, as well as relief of pain in cancer patients. Since edibles are not smoked, they are also less harmful to the lungs.

Ingesting THC edibles is becoming a popular alternative to smoking cannabis as edibles can be purchased at a dispensary near you and can also be made easily at home. If you’re taking the DIY route, you’ll find that there are several resources online on how to make edibles.

With weed edibles, there are different dosages that affect how soon the “high” kicks in, and how long the effect lasts. Unlike other cannabis products that have an almost immediate effect, THC edibles can take about 30-90 minutes to kick in, with effects lasting anywhere from six to eight hours or more.

Continue reading to know more about the different types of edibles and their effects, how long they last, and how to find the best brands to get you started on them:

Different Types of Weed Edibles

Edibles may take many different forms, with each type having its own use and effects. Here’s a look at the most commonly enjoyed types you can choose from:

Baked Weed Treats

Cannabis-infused brownies are the first that come to mind when talking about edibles. They’re a tasty way to consume marijuana, and there are plenty of recipes that you can refer to in making them. So if you’re still looking for a trusted dispensary, but want to get your hands on some weed brownies soon, try making them at home.

Aside from pot brownies, you can also infuse muffins, cookies, and cupcakes with cannabutter and bake your way to a high.

Weed Edibles Chocolates

Chocolate bars are another delicious choice to get that CBD effect. Chocolate has strong flavors that can cover the bitter taste that is typical of food products infused with cannabinoid extracts. Thanks to the anandamide levels in cocoa powder and chocolate, marijuana combined with chocolate can also enhance the euphoric and medical effects of cannabinoids. You can add one or two servings of cannabis oil or cannabis concentrates to any melting chocolate for that euphoric feeling that hits around 90 minutes later.

Marijuana Hard candy

Cannabis hard candies and lozenges are dissolved in your mouth and are absorbed through the stomach and liver relative quickly. Compared to weed brownies, gummies and other infused edibles that need chewing, hard candies start to take effect relatively faster (after about 20 minutes) as the active ingredients enter the bloodstream immediately after the mint is dissolved in your mouth. Effects can last for six or more hours depending on how much THC is in the candy, and how many of those candies you consume.

Gummies

Cannabis-infused gummies come in different sizes, shapes, and flavors. They look and taste just like your favorite gummy candies, but unlike those that you can eat without restraint, you need to take care with your dosage of this cannabis edible to reduce any potential side effects.

These chewy products are commonly used to reduce muscle spasms, improve anxiety symptoms, and relieve chronic pain.

Cannabis Beverages

Cannabis beverages are refreshing and easy to consume, making them a great choice for those who are considering which type of edible is right for them. Drinking your cannabis is as simple as adding tincture or liquid extracts to your coffee, tea, or sodas, or consuming them straight for faster absorption. With marijuana drinks, you can start feeling the effects within 10-15 minutes.

How To Know The Perfect Edible Dose

Everyone’s body is different, so the effects of consuming edibles vary from person to person. One person may feel the effects after taking 1 or 2 milligrams of THC, while another person may want a higher dosage to experience its full effect. If you’re new to dosing edible forms of cannabis, we recommend starting with a small dose (think 1mg to 2.5 mg), observing how your body reacts, and gradually increasing until you discover your ideal dose. Another best practice when buying edibles from your local dispensary is to check the package and see if the THC contents are clearly labeled in milligrams. The retail standard dose is 10 milligrams, but for starters, try taking 0.5 mg of an edible and wait about two hours to feel its effects before taking another bite of that “special brownie”. Some people don’t feel the effects of taking a low dosage and so they take more and end up feeling the unwanted effects later. With edibles, the full effects don’t peak until 2-3 hours later, so it’s important to keep this in mind when trying them for the first time.

Remember: You can always take more, so it’s always a good idea to start small until you know what dose works best for your body.

Standard Dose

For the average user, the feelings of relaxation and euphoria, as well as the pain and anxiety relief from consuming THC edibles are experienced with the standard retail dose of 10-15 mg. Additionally, first-time users of cannabis may find it easy to fall asleep after consuming this standard dose, so our advice is to try it at night so your activities during the day will not be disrupted and you can simply sleep it off if you need to.

Effects of Edibles. Are they right for you?

There are many benefits to using marijuana, but some people wonder what’s the best way to consume it without smoking.

One of the main factors that are making edibles a popular choice when it comes to using cannabis is its accessibility and ease of use. Practically any food can be infused with cannabis and consumed like regular food (taking care of the dosage of course). Edibles are also a smoke-free alternative, making it a great choice for people who want to stay away from inhaling cannabis smoke, while still going after the euphoric experience and health benefits of using cannabis.

Potential risks:

Because making edibles and consuming them require little effort, one risks taking too much of them. A powerful dose of THC can easily be infused in baked goods and gummy bears, so there’s a risk of overconsumption if you’re not careful. If you overdose on edibles, you may experience any one or more of these:

Intense fear or anxiety
Rapid heart rate
Nausea and vomiting
Hallucinations
Sudden high blood pressure
Difficulty conversing

These side effects, although they may last for several hours are relatively mild for some. But if symptoms do not improve, it is a good idea to seek medical intervention. In the meantime, keeping yourself hydrated by drinking lemon juice in water is recommended to prevent dehydration.

With edibles, you get the benefits of cannabis without exposure to marijuana smoke that can irritate your throat. However, it’s easy to overdo it and experience unwanted side effects. The effects take longer to kick in compared with inhaling cannabis which provides near-instant results.

Ultimately, the method you choose will depend on your needs and personal preference.

How Long Should Edible Effects Last?

Compared to other methods of cannabis consumption, edibles are noted for having high levels of THC (an average of 50% THC) and high potency. While the effects of edibles take longer to set in as the THC has to travel down the digestive tract, then to the liver before it enters your bloodstream, its effects are longer and can last anywhere from six to eight hours. Multiple factors including dose, age, metabolism, gender, and other medications can also affect the onset and how long the effect will last.

Benefits of edibles

Edibles have a slew of benefits and are a strong contender for people looking for more intense relief from medical issues:

Edibles pose no respiratory risk as it doesn’t involve inhaling marijuana smoke, making them ideal for people who are concerned about the impact of smoking on the lungs.
They come in different forms thus providing users with several options from fruit gummies to chocolates and much more.
The effects of edibles which can help with pain reduction and anxiety symptoms improvement last longer making them ideal for people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes.
For those who’d like to be discreet about using cannabis, edibles are the way to go. They don’t get generate smoke and you can consume them without anyone noticing.

Where To Get The Best Edibles In DC

When buying edibles in DC, it can be challenging to navigate the market to find brands that will provide the best quality. At Gifted Curators, we have a wide selection of cannabis, edibles, and pre-rolls that we give as gifts for every street art you purchase. Check out some of our finest exotics here: https://www.giftedcuratorsdc.com/Edible-Gift-Menu-Here-$25-$90-c118465517

To help you get started on weed edibles, we also did the research and curated this list of reliable brands in DC that are verified and veteran approved to provide accurate THC dosage so you can control your consumption at recommended levels and get the most benefits from the edibles of your choice