People commonly associate cannabis with smoking, but edible forms of medical cannabis are crucial for many patients to get the treatment they need. Edibles deliver a very strong dosage, perfect for patients whose body metabolizes cannabis quickly or very experienced users.
However, there are a few things patients should know before they begin taking medical cannabis edibles.
Variety is Key for Diets
It used to be that cannabis edibles meant foods like brownies or cookies. Today, there are many cannabis edibles on the market, including chocolate, gummies, caramels, mints and more. There are also other forms of edibles, like drinks, oils, extracts, and distillates.
Some people need an edible because they have an intense effect, but they don’t necessarily want the sugar associated with foods like brownies or cookies. Cannabis-infused tea is a great option for people looking to get the effects of cannabis while being mindful of their diet.
Slower Onset, Intense Effect
Medical cannabis edibles provide patients with a very strong, intense high, but the onset takes longer to feel. Patients who ingest cannabis through smoking are liable to experience onset within 15 minutes. Edibles can take about an hour, and the effects last for six hours.
However, not all edibles are the same in this respect. Cannabis beverages tend to have a quiet onset because the number of blood vessels in the mouth help absorb cannabinoids sooner before they reach the intestinal tract. Some beverages take only 15 minutes for onset to begin, and the effects can last up to four hours.
If you’re taking cannabis edibles for symptoms like insomnia, you either need to time it correctly or take a better-suited form of cannabis. Speak to a cannabis-trained pharmacist to review how to get medical cannabis in Canada and what product, cultivar, and dosage level is right for you.
Store Edibles Safely
Medical cannabis edibles need to be stored safely in the home so children don’t eat them accidentally. Just like with alcohol, they need to be securely out of reach.
Unlike the edibles on the recreational cannabis market, medical cannabis edibles from government-approved locations all have child-proof packaging and other symbols confirming they’ve undergone all requisite testing and quality control.
Look for the excise stamp for edibles over 0.3% THC, the yellow health warning label written in English and French. Recreational edibles may have packaging that closely resembles that of ordinary candies, specifically to attract children.
Keep kids away from edibles by storing them safely in your home.
Edibles are Quick and Discreet
Some people prefer cannabis edibles to smoking for practical reasons. Perhaps they don’t know how to roll a joint, want a quick and discreet way to consume their medication, or prefer a method that doesn’t involve inhaling smoke.
There is no wrong or correct answer so long as patients consult and act in accordance with a healthcare professional or cannabis-trained pharmacist.
Hopefully, medical cannabis edibles give you the relief you need. So long as you keep all the above advice in mind, you will consume them safely and responsibly.
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