The world of cannabis is huge, and there are a lot of different ways that you can consume this wonderful plant.

If you’re not a fan of smoking, another popular way to enjoy cannabis is with an edible.

Let’s talk about what exactly an edible is, how long they take to work, and what you should be looking for when you partake for the first time.

WH AT IS AN EDIBLE?

In short, edibles are any food that contains THC or CBD as an active ingredient. Edibles come in many different forms, from brownies to gummies, to cookies, and even drinks.

When you’re considering what type of edible to try, you’ll want to consider the flavors that you enjoy eating.

Edibles can sometimes have a strong cannabis flavor, but that’s determined in part by the potency of the edible its flavoring. Strong flavors, like coffee, tend to mask the flavor of cannabis, while lighter flavors are the opposite.

The aroma that’s associated with flower isn’t nearly as prominent with edibles. Because of that — and the fact that they often look like regular food — they’re a more discreet option for getting high.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Because eating an edible is a different way to ingest cannabis than traditional smoking, your body handles it differently.

When you smoke weed, THC is absorbed through your lungs and then into your bloodstream. That means it doesn’t take long to get high after you take a hit. You can start feeling the effects within minutes after a single toke.

When you eat or drink an edible, the THC needs to be processed through your stomach and then your liver. That means it can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes before you get high from an edible.

Because it takes longer for the high to kick in, many first-time users of edibles tend to overdo it and eat or drink more than they need to. As always, we recommend starting low and going slow. Your Prosper Cannsultant can help determine a good dose to start with based on your previous experience with cannabis.

If you’re new to the world of cannabis or even just edibles, it’s a good idea to keep a weed journal. A journal can help you track your highs and figure out the right dosing for you. It can also help you determine what kind of edibles you like most, both for taste and for experience.

HOW POTENT ARE EDIBLES?

Edibles are generally more potent than flower for a couple of reasons.

When edibles are manufactured, they’re processed using heat. Heat releases the THC found in weed used to make the edibles — that’s the science-y bit that happens when you put a lighter to your bud, too. That means more of the active THC can be present in an edible.

Second, because your body is processing the THC through your stomach instead of your lungs, the impact is much stronger. When you take an edible, it’s going to take longer to kick in because it’s being processed more slowly, but your high will likely be more intense and last longer.

A standard dose for an edible is about 10 mg. First timers should start at one quarter to half that amount to find out how it will affect them. You can’t undo your dosage, so it’s always better to err on the lower side if you’re unsure. Eating a larger dose of edibles won’t guarantee you’ll have a good high — it’s about finding the correct dosage for you. In fact, taking too high of a dosage can lead to a bad high. Don’t put that evil on yourself, Ricky Bobby!

The label for your edibles will tell you a lot about what you can expect. You want to pay close attention to the THC and CBD content on the label. Edibles are fairly consistent on their dosage.

If you want to learn more about the world of edibles, visit Prosper and chat with one of our Cannsultants. We’ll help you find the right cannabis product for you, no matter what your experience level.