Edibles & Beverages
An edible in this context, is a food infused with cannabinoids. Cannabis edibles can be brownies, cookies, candies, and more! Any recipe that calls for butter or oil can be readily infused with cannabis. Edible cannabinoids are processed differently than inhaled cannabinoids. When ingested, cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the stomach and liver, which increases potency while also delaying the onset of effects. This process delays initial onset by a few hours however it also lengthens the effects, sometimes causing them to last upwards of eight hours.
Due to edibles’ delayed onset and duration of effects, users must find their way with trial and error. Consumers should read packaging to understand dosing information. Beginners typically should start with a single dose of one to five milligrams of THC, then wait 2-4 hours to evaluate effects before consuming more. It should be noted that an individual who ingests an edible without eating beforehand will feel the effects much more quickly than someone with a full stomach.
Beverages in this sense are similar to edibles, meaning they are drinks infused with cannabis and when ingested they can cause psychotropic effects much like their consumable counterparts but with one significant difference. Traditional edibles usually have a delayed onset due to the time it takes to breakdown and digest the edible and process the THC. Beverages however have a much quicker onset due to a process called nanoemulsification, in which the THC has already been broken down and is suspended within the liquid. This difference allows for a faster onset of effects with a shorter duration, making beverages a nice choice for social gatherings when smoking or vaping may not be an option.