Pot brownies have made their way into mainstream culture for years, in movies like Dazed & Confused, Smiley Face, and Adventureland, which glorify taking something delicious (like chocolate) and combining it with something rebellious (like a high-inducing herb), either intentionally or on accident. But here’s the truth: our cannabis culture has evolved, and so has how we treat these yummy treats; edibles are no longer limited to brownies, and there are guidelines for eating them responsibly.
Edibles are cannabis-infused foods, which are made with cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. They come in all kinds of forms, including baked goods, drinks, cooking oils, butter, and liqueurs. Edibles are consumed and ingested, whereas smoking or vaping marijuana is inhaled.
These separate methods of consumption are not the same, and have contrasting effects — it’s important to understand the difference when taking edibles.
Amount
When eating edibles, it’s important to start low. Start with a single serving with a low dosage of THC. A serving, defined by Colorado law, is up to 10 mg of THC; it’s recommended, however, that first-time users use 5 mg to begin. The “First Time 5” campaign, sponsored by the Council on Responsible Cannabis Regulation, echoes this sentiment. Remember, many packaged edibles come in sizes with multiple servings, up to 100 mg: they are not intended to be eaten in one sitting.
Remembering to start low is important because edibles are more potent than inhaling marijuana: they produce a much stronger and longer-lasting effect, which comes down to the way that the cannabis is metabolized. Essentially, you don’t need as much to feel something, but it takes a bit longer to feel it.
ConsumeResponsibly.org reminds edible users that every person has a different level of tolerance-the amount of THC it takes to produce a high is individualized. Similarly, not all marijuana products are the same.
Timing
How quickly you consume the edible matters: go slow. It can take up to two hours to feel any effects-don’t make the mistake of eating more because the high is not immediate. There’s a big difference between smoking marijuana, where the high is instant, and eating an edible, where the wait can be lengthy.
In fact, the variance is scientific. In an article from the Daily Beast, Mitch Earleywine, author of Understanding Marijuana, gives his take:
