How Are Cannabis Edibles Processed in The Body?

In the past years, edibles have gained popularity as a smokeless cannabis consumption method. Just get a medical cannabis card, and choose from a wide range of options, such as cookies, gummies, brownies, teas, etc.

Recent data shows that the sales of cannabis-infused edibles increased during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s important to note that edibles don’t work the same way as smoking. The cannabinoids pass through the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream. Read on to learn more about marijuana edibles, how they work, and more.

How Are Edibles Processed?

Smoking delivers phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) directly into the bloodstream. That means you receive medicinal effects, such as pain or inflammation relief immediately. But, when you eat marijuana, the phytocannabinoids are processed through the body’s digestive system. The liver metabolizes THC, thus converting it into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that provides more potent effects than THC. In the case of marijuana smoking, 11-hydroxy-THC isn’t produced.

Since edibles take longer to process, consumers have to wait for at least 30 minutes to feel the effects. In other words, marijuana edibles take anything between 30-90 minutes to kick in. Some foods & drinks may take even longer, depending on the type of product and levels of cannabinoids & terpenes. For instance, chewable products have a longer onset time than lollipops that are absorbed sublingually.

How long marijuana edibles last? Usually, edibles last 6-8 hours. However, the duration of effects depends on the type of edible you are using. So, when buying cannabis-infused edibles, you should check the label carefully.

Check How Much You Are Consuming

When using edibles, dosing is difficult. The reason is that they don’t kick in instantly. Many end up consuming too much, thus leading to overdose issues.

Related- Consumed Too Much Cannabis? Here’s How to Sober up?

Moreover, edibles deliver stronger effects than smoking. A report by the Colorado Department of Revenue says that 1 mg of THC in edibles delivers is equivalent to 5.71 mg of THC in smokeable form.

So, you should carefully check the dose. If you are a beginner, start with a low dose, let’s say 5 mg of THC. Wait for some time and analyze the effects on your mind and body. If not satisfied, take another dose.

You Can Make Edibles at Home

Want to try your hand in making edibles at home? There’s a wide range of options available. The most popular ones are cannabutter, canna milk, and cannaoil. So, based on your customized requirements, you can make edibles.

When making edibles, you need to decarboxylate the flowers. It means cooking cannabis for about 215-225 degrees F for 45-60 minutes. Decarboxylation is the process of activating the active ingredients of cannabis, such as THC. It makes edibles more potent.

The process of making edibles involves mixing cannabis flowers/concentrates into the carrier by heating slowly. Then, the active compounds, such as THC and CBD are extracted, removing the unwanted plant material.

However, you need to be a lot more careful when dosing homemade edibles. This is because they may contain higher levels of THC, which may make you uncomfortable.

Access Cannabis Edibles Legally

With a medical cannabis card, you can legally access dispensaries that are licensed by the state government to sell marijuana edibles. Now, it has become very easy to apply for the card. See a doctor online using telemedicine technology and get MMJ recs in the email. Here’s the process-

  • Sign up for an account
  • Talk to a licensed doctor through HIPAA-compliant software
  • Receive MMJ recs in PDF format

Related- 5 Reasons Why You Should Get a Medical Card

Key Takeaways

Edibles are a great alternative to smoking, which is linked to lung problems and other health risks. Gummies, teas, brownies, etc. containing THC and CBD can be ingested directly to enjoy the medicinal effects. Unlike other consumption methods, edibles have a slow onset because they are processed through the stomach before reaching the bloodstream. Moreover, they last longer, thus are perfect for patients who need lasting relief, such as pain relief.

Edible effects depend on the levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. So, make sure you check the label before buying cannabis-infused foods or beverages. Moreover, dose edibles properly to experience the desired effects.

Apply for a new or medical cannabis card renewal online in 10 minutes today.

Simple Ways to Grind Your Cannabis Without a Grinder

You must be familiar with the popularity that cannabis has gained in the past few years. And the biggest reason for this popularity is its medical and therapeutic benefits. With a medical cannabis card, now people can buy medical cannabis to manage their condition. But when it comes to consuming cannabis, one of the most common ways to consume it is by smoking it. However, to make a joint or smoke it through any other method, you need to grind your cannabis buds. Usually, people make use of a grinder to grind their buds. But what if you are not able to find your grinder? How to break apart your buds without a grinder? 

Suppose you are with your friends, and you all were planning to smoke up some cannabis. But then you realized that you do not have a grinder to grind your buds. It can spoil the entire fun of the party. But do not worry, we have got your covered. There are various ways that can help you break up your buds without the use of a grinder. I have prepared a list of different methods that will help you grind your buds if you lose your grinder. So, without any further ado, let’s get into it!

Method 1. Your Hands

Now, this may seem very obvious and old-fashioned to you. But trust me, it is just amazing to pick at your buds with your fingers. Sometimes, all you need is to go back to the basics to find a way to go forward. You just have to make a shape of a bowl with your hand and use the other hand to break your buds apart. Also, breaking your cannabis by hand is a rewarding experience even though it does have a few downsides.

Cannabis is sticky, which makes it a little tedious to break it down with your fingers. Also, you will have the resin build up around your hands while you pick apart your cannabis by hand. But you can easily deal with this by washing your hands before you start handling your hands. You can later use a credit card or a key to scrape the resin off your hands. You can also use this resin to smoke it in a joint or bong if you are looking for an extra kick. After all, this is one of the oldest and most traditional ways to make hash. 

Also, when you break up your buds with your fingers, you build a terrific relationship with them. You can get familiar with the true feel of the structure and trichome saturation of your buds. This also provides you an opportunity to get closer to the unique aromas that your strain has. Your fingers will thank you.

Method 2. Parchment Pressing

If you do not wish to get your hands sticky, you can try this method involving a piece of parchment. You can either choose a piece of parchment or wax paper for this method. Just use it as a barrier between your hands and your cannabis. This way you will not have to worry about removing aromatic and sticky resin from your hands once you are done.

Well, you can use most paper products for this method, but I would still advise you to use parchment. This is because it has a waxy surface that will help in keeping everything from sticking. Using the parchment to grind your cannabis is very easy. Simply cut a few pieces up and then before you start grinding your buds, place these pieces between your fingers. Another way to use these pieces is to use them as a barrier when you smash your buds with a heavier object.

Method 3. Keys And Cards

Well, it is not possible for everyone to have parchment on hand all the time. But there is one thing that most of us have. It is a set of keys that you can utilize in a pinch. It is very simple to use this method. First, clean the keys and then use serrated edges of the keys to cut away at your cannabis. Your keys will end up getting sticky after the entire thing, but you can easily clean them with a little alcohol.

Another thing that you can use for the same process is a credit card. They are firm enough to break down your buds easily. This is a great way to break down your buds if you can not find a grinder.

Method 4. A Pizza Cutter or Rolling Slicer

Well, don’t you love pizza? Everyone loves pizza, and perhaps you can enjoy some after you have consumed your cannabis to calm down those munchies. But for that, you need to first break down your buds. And if you do not have a grinder, a rolling herb slicer or a pizza cutter can help you. These wheeled cutting devices work like knives and can help in slicing, thanks to their sharp surface. 

Also, their design makes it much easier for you to cut your sticky buds than a knife. Also, as a substitution, you can also use rotary blades. They work perfectly as well. The blades are sharper as they can cut through multiple types of fabrics.

Method 5. A Coffee Grinder

Are you a fan of coffee? Well, I am. But now it is time to use that coffee grinder of yours to grind your buds. This method is especially useful if you are dealing with a large quantity of cannabis. I have many friends who use a coffee grinder instead of a traditional cannabis grinder when it comes to breaking up a large number of buds.

Using a coffee grinder to break up your cannabis buds is very simple. First, you have to load your buds into the grinder. Then grind it as you would normally grind your coffee beans. There is just one thing that you need to keep in mind here – the resin from your buds may build up inside the grinder. To get rid of this, you will have to use a credit card or a key. You can collect the resin at the end with a credit card or your key.

Also, if you are planning to use a coffee grinder to break apart your buds; make sure you wash and dry it thoroughly before and after using it. This will avoid any sort of contamination to the aroma of your cannabis and/or coffee. You can also make use of some other small food processor for the same process. This method does not require much of an effort and can help you grind large amounts of buds in no time.