For many new cannabis users, edibles can be intimidating. After all, we have all heard (or experienced firsthand) those nightmare stories of people eating waaay too much and having a bad time. But with the right dosing, consuming cannabis edibles is a great way to medicate.
Some people prefer consuming edibles because they’re not into smoking. Others prefer the longer lasting body high that edibles offer. Others still like the ability to consume discreetly.
No matter the reason why you consume cannabis edibles, finding your dose is critical. This is one advantage of shopping at a dispensary; you know that the products have been tested for potency and you can see exactly what you are getting.
We put some tips together to help you find your ideal dosage when exploring cannabis edibles.
Start low and go slow. This is the Golden Rule of cannabis edibles. Because you can always eat more, but you can’t eat less. The majority of edible doses come in around 10mg THC. For first timers, we suggest starting at around 5mg and waiting 1-2 hours to see how it affects you before taking anymore.
Set a timer on your phone. Edibles can take a while to kick in. You may have heard the famous last words, “I don’t feel anything, I’m going to eat some more” that far too often end in much too large of a dose and a gnarly high. One way to avoid over consuming is to set a timer for 2 hours on your phone. If you aren’t feeling anything by then, it is probably safe to up your dose.
Eat Something Beforehand. Edible doses hit differently on an empty stomach. Until you know your dose and are more comfortable with eating edibles, it is highly recommended to have something in your stomach before you eat your infused edibles.
Liquids vs Solids. Most of us are used to gummies, brownies, cookies or other infused edibles but recently infused beverages and syrups have been making a splash in the industry. It is worth mentioning that infused liquids enter your system faster and can hit a little harder since your digestive system does not need to break them down as much as a solid edible. Keep this in mind if you are going to try any infused beverage, syrup or oil.
Journal your Results. Logging your dose, time, what you had to eat prior, along with the effects of that dose can help you consider what to take next time and help you dial in how cannabis infused edibles work best for you.
Ask Your Budtender. On your journey with cannabis medicine, the Budtender is your guide. It is their job to know the products they are selling so you should never feel ashamed about asking questions about how different products could affect you. For example, an edible made with Live Resin or Rosin will hit you differently than one made with Distillate. Understanding the differences, will help you understand how each product can potentially help you.
Like fingerprints, every endocannabinoid system is unique. Experience is always going to be the best teacher to help you find what works for you but preparation helps make each experience on the journey that much more safe and enjoyable.
To learn more about Big Island Grown’s Hawaii Craft Edibles made with real local and seasonal ingredients, visit www.bigedibles.com or stop by any of our Hawaii Island dispensary locations in Kona, Hilo and Waimea.