Ingesting marijuana is an amazing cannabis consumption method. Without combusting the substance, consumers can enjoy the therapeutic properties of the herb.
Using your MMJ recs from medical marijuana doctors, you can legally purchase edibles. There are plenty of options available, such as gummies, chocolate bars, teas, etc.
Before you start eating cannabis for medical purposes, it’s important to learn how edibles are processed in the body, onset, and duration, etc. Let’s discuss it.
Edibles Are Not Processed The Same Way as Smoking
When you smoke cannabis, the cannabinoids are delivered into the bloodstream instantly. So, you receive medicinal effects quickly. But, this doesn’t happen when you eat marijuana. The chemical compounds first reach the stomach and then transfer to the bloodstream. This is the reason edibles don’t kick in instantly when you eat them. Usually, edible effects can be felt in 30-60 minutes. Some experts say that consumers can feel the peak effects of marijuana-infused foods in 2-3 hours after ingestion.
Since everyone has a different condition and metabolism, it’s not easy to determine the onset. However, you can try different edibles, such as gummies, chocolate bars, teas, etc.
Edibles Deliver Lasting Effects
Since edibles take longer to process, their effects last longer. That’s the reason they are often recommended for patients suffering from anxiety and pain. Usually, edibles last for 8-10 hours. However, the duration of edible effects may vary depending on the levels of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Edible effects are more potent than smoking. When you eat marijuana, THC is transformed into 11-OH-THC, a psychoactive metabolite. The high levels of 11-OH-THC increase the duration of edibles as compared to smoking.
If you are a beginner, we recommend you to start with a low dose (let’s say 2.5 mg of THC), and see the effects. It’s good to enjoy your first few times with someone experienced in using edibles.
It’s Hard to Dose Edibles
Edibles don’t kick in instantly as smoking and vaping. So, dosing marijuana-infused foods and beverages isn’t easy. As a result, many consumers, especially beginners end up eating more than what they require. Over-intoxication can lead to panic attacks, vomiting, and nausea.
It’s recommended to go slow. Take a low dose and wait for at least 2 hours. If you feel you need more, take the second dose, and so on.
Most importantly, read the label carefully. For instance, if you have a 100 mg chocolate bar, you can divide it into 10 equal pieces with 10 mg each.
Starting with low doses will help you avoid the unexpected high effects and discomfort.
Edibles Are Safer Than Smoking
Smoking involves the combustion of the substance at a high temperature. This generates harmful chemicals along with cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD. So, smoking increases the risks of certain health issues related to the lungs.
Related- Inhale or Ingest? What’s The Best Way to Use Cannabis?
A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported that 8 percent of the emergency room visits at the University of Colorado Hospital had symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat. Moreover, 3.1 percent of smokers experienced heart attacks.
Ingesting marijuana means experiencing medicinal effects without generating harmful chemicals. So, edibles are safer than smoking.
Get Your MMJ Recs Online in 10 Minutes
If you want to use marijuana for medical purposes, you require a doctor’s recommendation. In most states, such as California, an MMJ card is valid for one year, and after that, you need to renew it. Using telemedicine technology, you can see medical marijuana doctors online. The process is very simple-
- Fill a form online
- Talk to a licensed doctor using the HIPAA-compliant software
- Receive MMJ recs in PDF format
Key Takeaways
Edibles allow you to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of marijuana without burning it. When you eat cannabis, the cannabinoids are processed through the stomach, and then reach different body parts through the bloodstream. So, edibles take longer to kick in and deliver lasting effects.
Be careful when dosing edibles. Start with a low dose and wait for the cannabinoids to absorb in the bloodstream. Try different strains and doses to evaluate what’s working for your condition.
See medical marijuana doctors online to get MMJ recs easily and conveniently.