As the cannabis industry evolves, the number of cannabis-related products on the market evolves along with it, leading to countless ways to consume the flower. Some are traditional and some are innovative, and two of these methods involve hash edibles and weed edibles.
Some people don’t fully understand the difference between the two, but taking the time to understand can help you maximize the benefits you receive. Below, we explore the similarities and differences between these ingestion methods and look at what experiences are associated with each.
What are weed edibles?
Weed edibles are a familiar concept to many, as they fall well into the category of ‘old school.’ Actually, they’re one of the oldest methods of consuming weed, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Weed, aka marijuana, is the part of the cannabis plant containing high amounts of THC, and is typically dried before being smoked or combined with other ingredients to make edibles. People typically bake the weed into cookies, brownies and other sweets. Though, many chefs are getting increasingly creative with weed-infused food items, as it’s possible to make ‘cannabutter’ and combine it with virtually anything.
Effects of weed edibles
Unlike the effects of smoking cannabis, which have a virtually instant onset, weed edibles take a while to kick in, typically between 30 minutes to 2 hours, but this can vary. The experience is very similar to that of smoking weed, though it’s slightly different due to the way the body breaks down THC when eaten.
The effects can feel more intense than when smoking, and some describe it as more of a bodily high, producing more tiredness, contrasting with a more mental high when smoked. This depends on the person and the dosage. Be sure to try a small amount at first to avoid negative side effects.
What are hash edibles?
Much like weed edibles, hash edibles involve the ingestion of THC, but the dosages can be higher. This is because hash is the concentrated resin of weed, compacted into brown blocks, making it easier to put more of it into a recipe. The effects are generally the same as with weed edibles, but it’s important to note the approximate amount of THC contained within them to avoid negative side effects.
Benefits and risks of hash and weed edibles
Because the effects of hash and weed edibles are essentially the same, the risks and rewards are also the same. The potential benefits include:
- Helps with insomnia
- Stimulates appetite
- Eases pain
- Induces calmness
The potential risks, which are almost always due to taking too much, are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Excessive sleepiness
- Paranoia
