We live in a great time for edibles.
There’s a scene in the 1999 romantic comedy, Never Been Kissed, that depicts the main character accidentally eating a marijuana-laced brownie and subsequently making a fool of herself. In a time long before any state legalization, it’s a scene that shows a lot of people’s fears about edibles — not knowing the exact ingredients or what to expect. It goes without saying that we’ve come a really long way since then, but even with today’s laws and edible standardization it’s still wise to take some safety measures.
Follow these simple tips to make sure you’re enjoying your edibles as much as possible:
Decide What Your Edible Goals Are
Unlike what the aforementioned 90s movie scene would have you believe, most people who consume edibles don’t just break out in wild behavior. Instead, edibles can be used for a lot of different types of effects. Before you consume any, it is important to decide what your “goals” are. Do you want to feel a mind “high”, or do you just want to feel relaxed? Do you plan on doing engaging activities, or do you plan on chilling around the living room all afternoon?
While you don’t have to be really strict with your edibles goals, it is a good idea to at least have an idea of what you want. This will determine both the amount and the type of edibles you consume, which brings us to the next tip…
Talk to Your ‘Budtender’ and Read the Packaging
Don’t be afraid to ask questions while purchasing edibles at a dispensary. Most of today’s marijuana sales professionals or “budtenders” are highly knowledgeable on a wide range of products. Besides, there are a lot of different kinds of edibles on the market today, from full THC and full CBD to hybrid combinations. Even if it’s not your first time taking edibles, talking with a budtender about your past experiences and what kind of an experience you’re looking to have can help make sure you’re walking out the door with the best product for you.
It’s also important to read the packaging carefully prior to consuming any of it. A “standard” edibles dose is considered to be around 10 mg of THC, but someone who is totally new to them may want to start out with about 5 mg instead. Read carefully to know just how much is in each individual edible, as you may need to cut them in half. Meanwhile, longtime edible users may need higher dosages to feel their desired effect. The amount of food you have on your stomach will also affect how quickly the edibles set in.
If you are using edibles strictly for relaxation and pain purposes, you may want to engage in “microdosing”. This is when you consume it in extremely small amounts (generally between 3 mg and 7 mg) that are widely spaced out, allowing the THC to just lightly stimulate your cannabinoid receptors.
Wait Before You Dose Yourself Again
It can be very tempting to eat more within an hour or two if you are not feeling any effects after consuming your initial dosage. However, it is important to know that everyone is different, and for people, edibles can take hours before they “kick in”. It is therefore worth waiting at least a few hours before you decided to take another one.
The waiting rule is particularly important if, again, you are new to edibles and are still learning how they affect your body. However, you may find that you react differently to new kinds of edibles and even different brands. It is therefore important to wait a decent amount of time when trying a new one, as it may have an effect on you that you have not experienced previously.
Set Yourself Up for Edible Success
Before the edibles “kick in”, or ideally, before you even consume them, take some extra precautions to make sure everything will go well. Make sure you have a comfortable place to hang out in, and drink plenty of water. Having a good friend or family member around may also help to keep you calm if increased anxiety while high is a concern.
Also, think twice about drinking alcohol. Combining alcohol with edibles may seem like a good idea in the heat of the moment, but it often leads to some undesirable / unpleasant effects.
If for some reason you do start feeling any negative reactions to edibles, try to keep calm. Remind yourself that in time it will wear off.