If you’ve been interested in edibles but have never taken one yourself, then this guide is for you! Whether or not you’re an avid cannabis consumer, edibles can be a really fun experience. We want to help make sure you have the best experience possible. My personal experience with edibles has taught me a lot, so I’m going to share with you what I’ve learned! 

Why Would I Take an Edible Instead of Smoking?

First off, the high from an edible lasts a lot longer than the high from smoking. It can also get you a lot higher with less effort. I mean, how hard is it to eat a delicious piece of candy? I have to restrain myself from taking more than the dose I want because our edibles taste so good. Also, in the current state of the world, you might be wary of smoking, but still want to get high. Edibles are a great choice for that! 

If you deal with chronic pain, anxiety, or depression, then microdosing can help you. You just take a small dose in the morning and maybe in the afternoon if it wears off. This works better than trying to microdose with smoking, because you won’t get the initial high, you’ll just get the feel-good effects. 

I live in an apartment where smoking is prohibited (but our hallways always seem to smell like weed…), so if you’re in the same situation as me, then edibles are your best bet for being discreet. 

How do I pick the right one?

First off, make sure you go to a licensed dispensary. Personally, I would lean away from a homemade edible with an unknown dose for your first time. As for strains, go with your preference! They make Indica, Sativa, and hybrid edibles, so you’ll find something you like. 

Taste is another important factor when it comes to edibles. If you dislike the smell of cannabis and can’t imagine eating it, then I’d stick to gummies. Our gummies are all vegan, and we have lots of vegan edible flavors to choose from! If you don’t mind the smell of cannabis and don’t think you’ll mind tasting it, then chocolates or liquids will do. Now, some sodas definitely taste cannabis free, while others you get a little after taste, but if it’s your first time, be cautious! You don’t want to go out and buy something you can’t finish because you hate the taste. If you love the smell of cannabis, then baked goods are for you. They have the strongest cannabis taste, and you’ll know you’re eating an edible. 

How much do I take?

Not that much. You might think you have the highest tolerance of all your friends, but when it comes to edibles, a little goes a long way. Especially for your first time! I’d recommend starting with 2.5mg (half of a square from our chocolate bars), wait about 30 minutes to an hour. If you don’t feel anything at the end of that hour, try another 2.5mg and wait again. 

How long will it take to kick in?

Edibles can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour (or even longer). However, it depends on a few things, such as dosage and if you have any food in your stomach. If you take the edible on an empty stomach and then start eating, expect the effects to start kicking in as you eat. Make sure you have at least a light snack before you take your edible, as you don’t want to be uncomfortable. 

For me, liquids hit the quickest. It usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes for a soda to hit me, whereas gummies will take about 30-45 minutes. Once it hits, you’ll get higher and higher for a little bit, until you peak at about two to three hours. 

How long will it last?

Edibles will take two to three hours to start peaking, and once you’re there it might last a bit. The peak, for me, usually lasts around one to two hours. The whole high, however, can last anywhere between seven and twelve hours, so you definitely want to take them on a day where you can just relax at home. 

I took too much and feel uncomfortable, now what?

Drink some water! Your mouth is probably pretty dry by now, so water will help you feel more comfortable.If you have caffeinated tea in your home, make some of that! It’ll taste delicious and help you sober up a little bit. I love a good peppermint green tea to help me out. Now, take a deep breath and go grab some pepper. Freshly ground is best, but if you don’t have any then ground pepper will do. It sounds weird, but smell the pepper!  Chewing the peppercorns will work as well, but I prefer to start off with smelling it rather than chewing it. If you’ve got CBD on hand, definitely use some. It’ll help calm the high you’re feeling and should help immediately. I always have a CBD pen on me, whether or not I’m taking edibles.  Another little trick I’ve learned over the years is that a walk with fresh air will do wonders.