10 things that you need to know about MMJ edibles

Edibles are the most widely used form of Marijuana aside from the traditional method of smoking or vaporizing. Many Seniors who want to try Marijuana as a medicine, opt for the edibles option. In states with legal medical and recreational programs, edible sales have been a surprising hit for retailers. Considering the unexpected popularity, we want you to be educated on how to do it correctly and what to know.

Smoking / vaporizing MMJ produces a near immediate effect. Within a few minutes, you have a gauge for how well you are effected and can decide to stop medicating if needed. With edibles, it can be up to two hours before you start to feel the effects.

The lack of immediate onset can give an inexperienced user reason to believe that the edible is having no effect. In an effort to achieve the desired results, people have been known to consume more of the edible. This can lead to an unwanted intensity when the edible has been metabolized and starts to take effect. For this reason we want you to know some of the fundamentals to edible safety.

1- How edibles interact with the body

There are two different methods in which edibles can be absorbed into the bloodstream; sublingual and gastrointestinal.

Gastrointestinal absorption only happens after the edible has entered the digestive tract. This is why it will take longer to feel the effects. This type of absorption occurs when you consume items such as brownies, cookies, baked goods, MMJ snacks, and drinks.

Sublingual absorption occurs when consuming suckers, lozenges, tinctures, or hard candy. Cannabinoids are able to enter directly into the bloodstream through the tissues of the mouth and this creates a much faster rate of absorption / effect, similar to the onset of smoking / vaporizing.

The "high" from smoking Medical Marijuana is a little different compared to the effects from edibles. When eaten, MMJ is metabolized by the liver. The liver converts delta-9 THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This results in a slower onset, but with more intense effects. Only through ingesting, will you ever see the 11-hydroxy-THC molecule. The effects of the digested 11-hydroxy-THC are often described as being more psychedelic.

2 - Dosage

Read your labels! The majority of edibles are not a single dose. Your chocolate bar might contain 10 servings. As tempting and as yummy as these items may be, eating the entire edible without reading the label is risky.

The repeated mantra here is "go slow, start low". Washington and Colorado suggest 10mg as a beginning point. Be patient, try 5mg your first time and stop there. If you felt no effect, don't be discouraged and give up, next time try 10mg. Do this until you find your comfort level. We recommended to try this on different days, start with a clean system.

3 - Onset

This will be different for everyone due to the fact that metabolism is a key component. Is your metabolism fast, is it slow? You may start to feel the effects in 15 minutes, it might take 90. Regardless, it is not recommend to increase your intake for at least two hours after your first dosage. You can always eat more, but once it’s in your system, you have to ride out the effects.

4 - What feeling to expect

Edibles can create a euphoric effect, giggling and silliness are common. Medical patients enjoy edibles because your body may feel relaxed and cozy with a slight tingle for pain relief. For some, you may get the best "super sleep" of your life.

On the flip side, you may begin to experience increases in heart rate, heavy breathing, dry mouth, slower reaction times and a feeling of disconnection. In new users and people who consume too high of a dose, this can create the feelings of anxiety or paranoia. The best way to avoid this is to "go slow, start low".

5 - No recorded overdoses

Fact - Medical Marijuana edibles will not kill you. The amount needed to produce a lethal effect is exponentially greater than a person could realistically consume. This does not mean you can't have a very unpleasant experience but for reassurance, all science points to this being a non lethal substance.

6 - I feel too high

Try to stay calm and remember that the feeling is only temporary. Lay or sit down and try to relax. Focus on your breathing and take controlled, deep breaths. If you are with other people, let them know that you have overdone it and want them to keep an eye on you. Unfortunately, there is no magical elixir to bring you down, you're going to have to ride this out.

Other ways to try and mitigate some of the effects would be to take a cold shower, get some fresh air, drink water or get something to eat. Recent research in the Terpenoids found in Marijuana suggest a glass of lemonade or a handful of pine-nuts might help too. The best way to avoid this is to "go slow, start low".

7 - Storage

The most important safety tip for storage, is proper labeling. Be sure to label any Medical Marijuana product as such and ideally, use child-proof material. While your kids might be grown-ups now, sometimes, the grand-children come over to play. We all know how curious they can be. For this reason, store your MMJ edibles on a high shelf. It is also recommended to keep them in a cool dark place.

8 - Types of edibles

Marijuana infused products are coming out at a rapid pace. The most popular items being candy bars, gummy products and chocolates. Baked goods are very common and easy to create at home. There are also a wide variety of drinks, ranging from coffees and teas to sodas and smoothies. Gum, mints, breath sprays, tinctures, the list is growing every week.

9 - Don't drive, get stuck somewhere

As with any form of Medical Marijuana, don't drive while under the influence. Since edibles take some time to "kick in" and the effects are sustained for longer than smoking, plan accordingly. Never be afraid to call a taxi or wait it out.

10 - Enjoy responsibly

If you are trying edibles for the first time, we recommend being in a comfortable setting. Plan out your experience before hand. Are you going to watch a movie at home? Better grab some popcorn. Are you going to listen to some music? Which records will you put on? Having a non-medicating person with you is also a wonderful idea. They can create a sense of grounding for you and they are also able to observe any changes in your behavior or comfort levels.

What has your experience with MMJ edibles been? Let us know at seniorsMMJnetwork@gmail.com

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