With the arrival of marijuana legalization just around the corner for Ontario, more and more edibles will enter the scene including medicated cookies, gummies, brownies, hard candies, chocolates, Rice Krispies treats, and more. As any seasoned marijuana user can attest, edibles provide a mysterious high, one that is different than the buzz obtained from smoking or vaping. When you combine that with the varying ways edibles can affect people, it can be an unpredictable experience on your first edible expedition.

So how can consumers find the right dose of edibles and understand how long it will take for the high to kick in? Here are a few steps you can take in order to get a proper dose for yourself:

1. Are you experienced?

Have you ever tried cannabis before? If not, start out with a smaller dose than recommended in recipes. It’s worth noting that tolerance doesn’t often translate from smoking pot to eating it. Continue reading and you’ll see that a high smoking tolerance doesn’t equal a high tolerance for edibles.

2. Listen to your body

Remember that body mass, age, metabolism, gender and body chemistry at that point in time all vary in the effectiveness of the medicine. Ask your budtender (once that is a thing) a couple of questions about your body type, gender and age. THC’s fickle relationship with fatty cells, regardless of how much pot you smoke, might throw you for an unexpected loop.

3. Never on an empty stomach

We always recommend people treat edibles like they would any other prescription. You never want to have it on an empty stomach, so maybe start with a little bit, and have it with some food. Just envision that sticker on your prescription bottle of antibiotics: TAKE WITH FOOD.

4. Different brands have different consistency

People have a different reaction or experience with infused chocolates or gummies, and one will often work better than the other for somebody. It ties into comparison with the marijuana flower. If people find a strain they like, they will most likely stick with that strain. It’s the same with edibles. If somebody finds an edible they really enjoy and it’s consistent with the dosage they know their body will react well to, it will become their go-to edible. Feel free to experiment but also do your research.

5. It’s a waiting game

10 milligrams is the recommended dose for one serving of an edible. Start slow and wait about 45 minutes after you take it to see how you feel. You can always take more, but you can’t go back and take less. Plus, some foods take longer than 45 minutes to kick in so take your time because over indulging is not fun.

6. What to do if you’ve overdone it

An edibles high will last longer than almost any other high, and unfortunately, that stands true for bad experiences too. If you have overindulged, try to stay calm and remember that the feeling is only temporary. Lay or sit down, close your eyes, take some deep breaths and try to relax.

It’s important to educate yourself when it comes to edibles since they cause a different reaction than you may be used to. We’re just as excited as you are for cannabis to be legalized but we also want you to be safe so you can truly enjoy the high. If you have any questions when it comes to edible feel free to drop by any Crazy Bills location and we would be happy to help you out!