How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In? The Science of Unforgettable Edibles (Canadian Edition) Leave a comment
Edibles are taking the cannabis market by storm. Since December of 2019, the number of sales of cannabis edibles in Canada alone has gone from approximately 84,000 units, to nearly 2,300,000 units by the end of April, 2021 – according to Statistics Canada .
We’re also seeing a massive increase in the allocation of federal and provincial licenses for producers and distributors to match. Within the same timeframe, we’ve gone from around 451,000 licences, to about 16,000,000 – yes, you read that correctly. Sixteen million new production licences have been issued in less than 2 years.
Among the chief benefits to us cannabis enthusiasts of licenses issued is the sheer diversity of products that are now available on the market. It’s staggering. You can find everything from chocolates, to baked goods, to prepackaged snacks with almost any THC content you can imagine, covering every dose preference. Some have interesting twists on familiar names too. Everything from: Stoney Patch , to Laughing Monkey , to Eddies , and more!
But with all this diversity in great sweets and treats, and with all the different THC levels available, how much should you eat to get your optimal edibles experience, and how long does it last?
Generally speaking it depends on a few factors: metabolism, body composition (THC is fat soluble), and THC tolerance.
Note: Among the most common issues involving bad experiences on edibles is the issue of dosing. Most people have no idea what their bodies can tolerate, meaning that it could be easy to accidentally take too much (or not enough, and then too much).
With that being said, here are a few simple guidelines to make sure your experience with edibles is what you’re looking for.
Tip 1 – Dose Appropriately
A low dose is equal to or less than 2mg of THC when we’re talking about cannabis edibles. A moderate dose is 15mg-30mg of THC, a high dose is 30mg-50mg, and a very high dose is anything 50mg+.
Keep in mind edibles affect everyone differently based on individual levels of tolerance. If you’re sensitive to THC but need the sedating effects, you will generally benefit mostly from 10mg or less. If you have a higher tolerance, aim for 15mg-30mg.
If you’re looking for a trip to another realm, go above 35mg+ – that’s enough for most people to get what they need out of their edibles.
Tip 2 – Start Low, Go Slow
If you’re not sure about your tolerance, it’s best to take it easy and dial up in increments, starting with 2mg, until you find your sweet spot over time.
When we say go slow, we mean REALLY slow. It takes about two hours for edibles to take full effect. By that time, you might be tempted to think, “well these aren’t that strong and I seem fine, so I’ll take more.” That may not be the best idea if you’re still getting to know what an edible high is supposed to be like.
Depending on the dose and intent, patients using medical edibles can take them medicinally for better rest, and recreationalists can take them to be more social and relaxed in a group setting.
Note: Some of the more intense effects don’t usually peak until about the three hour mark, and can last up to eight hours.
THC, no matter how much you take, can’t physically harm you but that doesn’t mean you want to experience what taking too much too fast can be like.
Vertigo, loss of motor function, panic attacks, headaches, flop sweat, chills, and feeling like you’re losing your mind – are all common symptoms of too much THC.
Remember that they do go away, but can be uncomfortable for the duration of your high.
Tip 3 – Indica or Sativa Based?
As with smoking, what kind of cannabis was used to make the edible will help you figure out what kinds of effects to expect. This isn’t true all the time, but it’s true most of the time. THC is THC, but the other cannabinoids and terpenes that were extracted also contribute to how you’ll react, in addition to the factors we’ve already listed above..
For example, if you’re eating a lemon sour candy, then there will be some limonene in there, which will help you feel more calm – as limonene is known for.
Ever notice you feel more relaxed and focused in the soap and cleaner aisle in the grocery store? That’s because terpenes in the products – pinene and limonene being the most common – are interacting with you the same way the terpenes in cannabis do.
Conclusion
In this post, we covered some basic tips on effective edibles dosing practices like: dose, timing, and strain variances, as well as some potential issues if you go too far. Like we said, it’s impossible to overdose, but you should still make sure you know what you’re doing.
Do you have a favorite edible, or a great story about taking one to share?
We’d love to read about it! Leave your best cannabis stories in the comments below!
References and Additional Resources
We blind-tasted cannabis strains and guessed: indica or sativa? , by Dante Jordan, 2019
Why you should read the label on your cannabis product , by Aimee O’Driscoll, 2020
How to Dry and Cure Cannabis Plants , by leafly.ca
Toking, Vaping, and Eating for Health or Fun: Marijuana Use Patterns in Adults, US, 2014
Characterization of edible marijuana product exposures reported to United States poison centers
