Edibles have long been a popular form of marijuana consumption. There is a very long history of marijuana brownies, gummies, and cookies popping up at parties for decades. But what exactly are edibles? Are they beneficial? Are they even legal in West Virginia?
These are all good questions that we will answer in today’s blog!
In West Virginia right now, edibles are not legally part of the medical marijuana program. But there is hope that they will be in the near future! The Senate approved Senate Bill 590 which would allow edibles to be part of the medical marijuana program. Although edibles are legal yet, they will be once the House and Governor approves of this bill!
Here at West Virginia Marijuana Card, we want to go above and beyond being your medical marijuana card provider. We also want to give you quality, accurate information regarding marijuana formats so you have all of the tools you need to make the best decision for your health and wellness!
Yes, edibles have been popular for years but there is also a lot of information about them that you should know before they are available on dispensary menus.
In this blog, we will be reviewing exactly what edibles are and why they can be beneficial for you. We also will be sharing how to properly dose edibles, make your own at home and how to get access to dispensaries to purchase them.
Voilà! After reading this you will become an edibles connoisseur!
The Basics of Edibles
Edibles are simply that. They’re edible cannabis!
Edibles refers to any food that is infused with or contains marijuana. Marijuana is usually infused into a fat-soluble base such as butter or oil. Once you have the infusion, it is easy to use it in foods such as brownies or cookies!
Since edibles are consumed orally, they are digested through the stomach and liver. This is what makes edibles more potent and have long lasting effects over time. But with this also comes a longer wait time for them to take effect.
Edibles have stood the test of time since you can get a precise dose that lasts long without having to smoke marijuana which often feels, to some, more recreational.
Benefits of Edibles:
There are so many benefits that come with using edibles as your medical marijuana format of choice!
One benefit is that the dosing is spot on. As long as you buy edibles from a licensed West Virginia dispensary, the dosing will be accurate. This will give you a consistent method of consuming marijuana that you can rely on which is harder to get with other formats such as marijuana flower.
The effects of edibles also last longer! Edibles take time for the body to feel the effects since they are absorbed through the stomach and liver, but once they are, the effects last. This is why edibles are perfect for treating medical conditions for a long period of time such as chronic pain, or PTSD.
Edibles can also be consumed discreetly. If you are worried about the smell flower can give off, edibles are a way to avoid that. Or if you just have a noisy mother snooping through your belongings, edibles appear to look just like any other food. Just make sure no one else eats it by accident!
Knowing the Right Dosage:
The right dosage of any marijuana product varies from person to person. But why is this?
There are many variables that are involved in how one’s body reacts to marijuana and just medication in general. These variables can include how often one uses marijuana, gastrointestinal issues, or how sensitive one’s endocannabinoid system is.
Low and Slow:
The number one rule when using edibles is be patient!
Edibles take longer to be absorbed into the body so many people make the mistake of consuming an edible, and then because they don’t feel the effects right away and consume more. This can lead to an uncomfortable feeling and can insight paranoia or anxiety which is the opposite goal of medical marijuana.
While this may seem off putting to some, it is super easy to avoid. Just be mindful to start with a low dose and wait patiently for the effects to kick in. It could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for you to fully feel the effects of an edible so keep that in mind while you wait.
General Rule of Thumb for Proper Dosing:
Based on the effects and relief that you are looking for, there are general rules for the amount of an edible you should consume. Below are the basic guidelines but remember these vary based on each individual so start low and slow!
2 - 15 mg THC edibles:
Within this range, you can feel strong relief from chronic pain, insomnia and PTSD as well as experience some light psychoactive effects. This dosage is good if you are looking to treat symptoms that haven’t been treated by lower doses that you have tried.
25 - 50 mg THC edibles:
With this higher dosage you are more likely to feel an intense psychoactive effect. This is great for those that have a high tolerance of THC and consume regularly as well as for those whose GI systems don’t absorb marijuana well.
50 - 100+ mg THC edibles:
At this dosage, you could start to feel some of the negative effects and have an uncomfortable high. This could make you feel anxious, paranoid and increase your heart rate. This dose could still be helpful for those with cancer or other serious medical conditions.
Finding the right CBD to THC ratio:
Finding a marijuana product that has the right balance between CBD and THC can actually enhance the medicinal properties of marijuana while also decreasing the risk of any unwanted effects.
CBD is a partial blocker of the psychoactive effects that THC has. So if you wish to get the medicinal values without the risk of an uncomfortable high, a well balanced CBD:THC hybrid is best for you!
As the ratio of CBD to THC increases, the likelihood of negative effects decreases. So for example at a 4:1 ratio the negative effects are less likely at a typical dose. Therefore, if a person takes 5 mg of THC and they feel impaired, they could take 20 mg of CBD and 5 mg of THC together and feel less impairment to no impairment at all!
DIY Edibles at Home
It is definitely possible to make your own edibles at home and in fact many people love it!
As stated before, THC and CBD cannabinoids are fat-soluble so they have to bind to fat in order for you to process them. This is why most people use butter or oil to infuse their marijuana flower with.
Marijuana flower needs to be decarboxylated before infusing, meaning it needs to be heated for our bodies to absorb the effects. When marijuana is smoked, this happens when it catches fire but for edibles this can happen by heating it in an oven at a low temperature, then using those buds to infuse oil or butter.
Making edibles by decarboxylating marijuana is not the only way to make edibles though! In West Virginia, marijuana oils and tinctures are permitted which can be used to make edibles too.
Getting Edibles in West Virginia
The only way to access edibles in West Virginia legally is by going to a licensed dispensary once the House and the Governor pass the bill to allow edibles in the state but in order to do that, you are going to need your medical marijuana card first.
We can help you with this!
At West Virginia Marijuana Card, our job is to make it as easy as possible for you to register for your medical marijuana card. You can do this with us in four easy steps!
Schedule an appointment with us by booking online or calling us at (877) 303-8424.
Submit all your documentation by completing the patient intake form and sending us your medical records.
Meet with our certified medical marijuana doctors and discuss your qualifying condition.
With the doctor’s approval you will receive your medical marijuana card and have access to dispensaries all throughout West Virginia once they’re open!
It really is that easy. Don’t wait another day for the relief you deserve!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.