Edible cannabis products provide an alternative method of cannabis consumption to smoking and vaping.  If you are interested in trying edible cannabis, here are things you need to know.

Edible cannabis products vary widely in their appearance and ingredients, including how much THC and CBD they contain. Always read the label before ingesting  edible cannabis. If you have never tried an edible before or are new to cannabis, consume no more than 2.5 mg of THC and wait to feel the effects before taking more. It might also be worth doing a bit of homework to learn how THC and CBD affect your brain and body, and how these effects differ   between inhalation and ingestion of cannabis. Keep in mind that some edible cannabis products might have expiry dates and ingredients that could cause allergic reactions.

Read the  label carefully for concentration of THC and CBD, and instructions for use.

It takes a  long time for your body to absorb the THC from edible cannabis and so the THC is present in your body for longer than after smoking or vaping cannabis. The  effects of ingesting cannabis last longer compared to when cannabis is smoked  or vaped. The effects can last up to 12 hours, with residual effects lasting  up to 24 hours. If you are new to edibles or to cannabis, use these products in a place where you feel safe and comfortable, and with friends or family who are experienced in using them. If you plan to use edible cannabis at a friend  or family member’s home, make travel arrangements ahead of time or plan to stay over. Do not drive or operate heavy equipment after using cannabis.

Clear your schedule because ingesting edible cannabis has long-lasting effects.

For some people, the effects of edible cannabis can be more intense than inhaling a similar   dose of dried cannabis. This intensity is partly because when you ingest THC,  your liver turns it into a stronger form. With edible cannabis, both the THC  from the original product and the stronger form of THC produced by your liver   can influence the intensity of the high. Individuals who are new to edibles or cannabis should look at the THC content of the product and start with  edible cannabis products containing no more than 2.5 mg of THC. It is best  that your first few times using edible cannabis be with trusted friends or family members who have experience with them. If you or someone you know has consumed too much cannabis and is not feeling well, contact your local poison center or seek medical attention.

Start low by eating a cannabis edible with no more than 2.5 mg of THC.

It Takes Time  to Feel the Full Effects

With edible cannabis, the intoxicating effects or “high” do not kick in for about 30 minutes to two hours and peak at about four hours. The effects can last up to  12 hours after use and residual effects can last up to 24 hours, so you could   be affected into the next day. This timing differs from smoking or vaping  cannabis, where the effects start to be felt within a few seconds or minutes  and peak at about 30 minutes. When you ingest edible cannabis, the THC first  travels to your stomach and then to your liver, before making it to your bloodstream and brain. This process varies across individuals, making it   difficult to predict when you will actually feel the full effects of edible  cannabis. Because it can take up to four hours to feel the full effects,   consuming more cannabis within this time period can result in  over-intoxication. Over-intoxication can take the form of anxiety and panic, nausea and vomiting, and symptoms of psychosis (paranoia).

Be patient  and go slow, ingesting edible cannabis with no more than 2.5 mg of THC at a   time.

Be Sure to  Properly Store Your Cannabis Products

Chocolates and brownies with cannabis in them look like chocolates and brownies without   cannabis in them. In other words, they appeal to both adults and children. In fact, unintentional ingestion of edible cannabis by children and pets is more common than you might think, and can lead to severe health problems. If you have edible cannabis at home, be sure that they are properly labelled, stored  in child-resistant containers that are re-sealed after use, and stored out of  the sight and reach of children and pets. It is also a good idea to invest in a lockbox or make your own. If you or someone you know has accidently consumed cannabis and is not feeling well, contact your local poison center or seek medical attention.

Be sure your cannabis products are properly labelled

Cannabis Should  Not Be Mixed with Alcohol or Other Substances

Alcohol increases the intoxicating and impairing effects of cannabis. Consuming cannabis and alcohol at the same time can significantly raise your risk of over-intoxication and impairment. As mentioned, cannabis over-intoxication can include anxiety, panic, nausea, vomiting and paranoia. To reduce the risk of these negative experiences, stick to either cannabis or alcohol, not both.   Also, avoid mixing cannabis with nicotine or any intoxicating substance,   including stimulants (“uppers”) and depressants (“downers”), as the mix can cause serious health complications. If you are taking or planning to take  prescription medications, speak to a healthcare practitioner about whether cannabis interferes with them.

Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol or other intoxicating substances. 

ALWAYS educated yourself on what edibles are and how they may alter your brain.   Always start out low and work up in degrees of doses.  Never mix with Alcohol or prescription drugs. Label and keep out of reach of children and pets.