All About Edibles

The day before Thanksgiving saw record breaking sales across the state and marijuana edibles were one of the most popular products purchased by consumers. Whether you needed a discrete high during Thanksgiving or you wanted to bring a little joy to your Friendsgiving, edibles were the proven favorite and it’s easy to see why. They’re easy to use for regulars and beginners alike and the high can last for hours. There are dozens of products currently available in Washington, but did you know there are only three categories of edibles?

Oral Uptake
In the first edible category cannabinoids are absorbed orally as the product is held in the user's mouth. You should feel high almost immediately and the effects tend to wear off within 2 to 3 hours. This is a great option for a quick dose of cannabinoids any time of the year and users can easily maintain their buzz with several doses throughout the day. Products in the oral uptake category include tinctures, lozenges, hard candies and sublingual sprays.

Intestinal Uptake
The second category is for edibles that are absorbed through the intestines. These edibles will take longer to activate, but they have longer lasting effects. Expect to feel the high anywhere from 1 to 3 hours after consumption and enjoy a high lasting for several hours. Until you experience the effects yourself, know that some edibles can last up to 8 hours and users should plan accordingly. Products in the intestinal uptake category include baked treats like cookies and brownies, capsules or pills and many more “food like” items.

Hybrid Uptake
The third category combines the two absorption methods mentioned above. Hybrids are the perfect solution for users who want an immediate high as well as the long lasting effects many edibles offer. Users will feel the high within 30 minutes of consumption and it can last more than 4 hours, depending on dosage and tolerance. Products in the intestinal uptake category include sweets like chocolates and caramels, sodas, energy shots, drink drops, and beverage mixers.

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When it comes to edibles, it’s much easier to consume too much than too little during your first experience. Start with 5mg of any edible and wait several hours to see how it affects you. Sometimes, you may not feel anything at all after consuming your first edible. Depending on your metabolism, it can take some users 4 to 6 hours to feel the effects, which can lead to the overconsumption of infused edibles. Wait to try it another day so you don’t end up getting higher than you expected during your first experience.

If you want to create your own edibles, it’s easy to venture into the world of DIY treats by making your own cannabutter. Start with Higher Leaf’s recipe for cannabuter here or a quick internet search will reveal dozens of different methods you can try. Just replace the butter or oil in any recipe or look for cannabutter cookbooks and recipes available for cannachefs of all skill levels in the kitchen.

For an even easier DIY edible, you can simply adapt products that are available for sale into easy to make treats. Wow your cannabis loving friends and family with your take on the following homemade edibles. Make sure to note how many milligrams you use in total and share that info with anyone who consumes a treat.

Spot Chocolate Squares - Chocolate Drizzled Strawberries
Carefully melt the squares in the microwave to make your own infused chocolate dipped strawberries! Wash and dry the strawberries and lay out wax paper on a cookie sheet before starting. Zap the chocolate for 10 second intervals and stir until smooth. Make sure you don’t overheat the chocolate. Dip a spoon in the melted chocolate and drizzle over the strawberries. Chill them for a few minutes before consuming. They'll keep in the fridge for several days and you can even freeze them to enjoy later.