Cannabis Edibles Dosage Chart – An Intro to Cannabis-Infused Edibles

An Introduction to Cannabis-Infused Edibles?

Humans have been practicing the art of infusing food with cannabis for nearly as long as they’ve been smoking it. We’ve all heard stories — some good, some bad — of a friend or family member who has had a notable experience with cannabis edibles. With countless product options for canna-consumers to choose from, a wide array of doses available, and endless — and oftentimes anecdotal — tips and tricks, you may find yourself apprehensive to try cannabis-infused edibles for yourself, but rest assured, they can be an invaluable tool in your journey to create a sustainable relationship with cannabis.

Why Choose Cannabis Edibles Over Other Types of Cannabis Products?

Spoiler Alert — There is no wrong or right way to consume cannabis. Sure, cannabis-infused edibles, like any other canna-product, maintains a set of unique pros and cons, but ultimately, this decision comes down to personal preference and what works best for you. Let’s explore some of the ways in which edibles are a unique consumption method:

1. Onset of Action

   – This simply means “how long before the effects are felt”. For some users, this may not be of any concern as long as the experience eventually occurs, but for others, timing can play a vital role in the decision-making process. Unlike smoking or vaping cannabis which the effects are typically felt within minutes of consumption, edibles require a little more time. This is because edibles must first partially pass through the digestive system where they are diverted to and processed by the liver before ultimately reaching systemic circulation. The general expectation is that edible effects can be felt around 45-60 minutes post-consumption, but both exogenous and endogenous factors like diet, metabolism, genetics, tolerance, and product ingredients all affect the onset of action as well. For instance, if you have consumed a large, carb-heavy meal prior to having an edible, you may not notice the effects for several hours. On the other hand, if you consume edibles in a fasted state, the effects could be felt as soon as 30 minutes afterwards. In the end, the onset of action is unique to the user, but with experience, you will quickly develop an idea of your body’s onset of action.

2. Convenience –

   We are naturally attracted to convenient options in life, cannabis consumption included. For consumers and patients alike, access to convenient cannabis use is typically an important factor and edibles earn a gold star in this category. Edibles give consumers the ability to transport and consume their cannabis quickly, easily, and discreetly. Even if your group of peers may not think twice if they see you smoking, vaping, or using a tincture, some consumers may find themselves in closer proximity to those who still carry a stigma around cannabis use. For that select group, dosing your cannabis in something like a discreetly-dosed coconut oil oatmeal cookie or another edible form will likely reduce the chances that they’re scrutinized as opposed to other intake methods.

3. Dosage Control –

   Don’t get us wrong, smoking, vaping, and tinctures all have their place in the world of cannabis, but for users who desire precision control over their dosage, these consumption methods present some hurdles. That’s because accurately calculating how much you’re consuming by combusting your cannabis is practically impossible given the number of variables at play. On the other hand, edibles that are properly homogenized [mixed thoroughly] and accurately dosed give users the opportunity to fine-tune their intake. As we will discuss, this doesn’t come without some caveats (hint: not all edibles are produced in a fashion that ensures consistency and accuracy). More on that below!

Four Things Edible Consumers Should Watch Out For

Like most things in life, cannabis-infused edibles should be approached with a degree of understanding and preparation. If you’ve ever heard someone recant a story regarding a negative experience they had with edibles, there’s a good chance that it could have been prevented had they taken a more calculated approach. Most veteran edible consumers will agree that there are four things to keep in mind when using canna-edibles:

1. Overdoing It

   – As mentioned earlier, cannabis edibles are processed by the liver. This process converts THC to 11-OH-THC, which is a much more potent version of THC. For first time or infrequent edible users, this can present a tricky situation to find your optimal dosage and can lead to consuming more than needed to achieve your desired effects. The amount of THC in an edible product is typically much lower than other product types simply because less is needed to reach your goals. To simplify things for users, we’ve put together an edibles dosage chart which can be used in conjunction with the advice of your healthcare provider and/or budtender to determine the best edible dosage for your needs.

2. Undesired Ingredients

   – Who doesn’t love sweet treats? If you’ve spent much time perusing the numerous infused-edibles options, you’ve certainly recognized that sweets and desserts are the most common theme. While treats like these are fine in moderation, you probably want to avoid having them become a dietary staple under the guise of dosing your cannabis. The point here is to simply be cognizant of ingredients that you may normally steer clear of or consume in moderation. Additionally, making your own infusions using health-conscious recipes is an approach that many have found success with and gives you better control over your edible’s ingredients.

3. Properly Timing Your Intake –

   As mentioned earlier, cannabis-edibles can take a little time before the effects are felt. If you have an activity like meditation or yoga planned around your edible consumption, be sure to give yourself an appropriate window of time between dosing and beginning your activity for your body to process the edible. Many users have found themselves frustrated when they had planned on experiencing an edible during an event or activity, only to find that their timing was off, and the effects are felt too soon or too late. This can be mitigated with experience as you will learn how your body reacts to edibles.

4. Ensuring Your Product is Accurately and Consistently Dosed

   –  This may sound like a no-brainer but is currently a large hurdle for most cannabis users. That’s because the majority of cannabis products vary from batch to batch. Just because you had a certain variety of flower years ago — or even last week — doesn’t mean that you’ll have the same experience in the future with the same product. This isn’t a malicious practice by brands, but instead is a byproduct of the variable nature of cannabis. In terms of flower, it is safe to say that no two buds maintain an identical cannabinoid and terpene composition. If we consider concentrates or edibles, the issue largely remains as it isn’t logistically feasible for a brand to test each individual product. By requesting things like a batch specific certificate of analysis (COA) or a terpene analysis from your budtender, you can reduce the number of unknowns around your product’s contents. Another option has recently been introduced thanks to technological advances in cannabis product production, allowing brands like Koan to all but eliminate product variability and concerns over accurate dosing. We will discuss this further below.

Making The Most Out of Your Edible Experience 

As discussed, a low and slow approach to cannabis-infused edibles is typically viewed as the most responsible way to determine your tolerance and incorporate edibles into your routine. However, you may find yourself thinking, “but didn’t you just say that most products aren’t accurately or consistently dosed? How can I be sure that I’m starting low and slow if I can’t even be sure of the dosage I’m consuming?” — we’re glad you asked!

We mentioned advances of infusion-technology that some canna-brands are taking full advantage of. These advances finally give brands the ability to dose their products with laboratory precision and accuracy, each and every batch. Products like Koan Cordials are changing the game for many canna-consumers by alleviating concerns over accuracy and potency. Just as you probably don’t think twice about the dosage accuracy of an over-the-counter pain-reliever that you may take for a headache, Koan Cordials have created a consistently dosed cannabis product that promotes reliable and repeatable experiences. No more intrusive thoughts like “what if this batch isn’t as strong as the one I had yesterday?” or “I don’t think this one had as much in it, should I consume a little more”? Additionally, but just as important, is the fact that products utilizing this new emulsification technology generally allows users a greater ability to predict the onset time for effects — which are also usually felt faster than with traditional edibles.

If you want to try one — or all — of the mood-oriented blends that Koan offers, check with your local licensed dispensary to see what they have in stock. In the event that they’re sold out, there’s a convenient alternative — ordering online and having Koan Cordials delivered right to your front door (California residents only). Koan provides users with cordial blends that are tailored for specific experiences or moods. For example, if you’re planning a hike and would like to incorporate cannabis into what you hope to be a trek of inner-exploration as much as it is external, Koan’s Wonder Cordial would be a great candidate to bring along. On the other hand, if you’ve had a long weekend and are looking for a low-THC blend to bring your mind and body back to a natural state of harmony and homeostasis, Koan’s Balance blend would serve as an excellent Monday morning pick-me-up.

When it comes to making infused-edibles a part of your relationship with cannabis, we recognize the potential for an information overload around the topic, but rest assured, with a little responsible experimentation, a low and slow approach, and an open-mind, you, like many others, may find edibles to be a valuable tool in this journey we call life.

This article is for informational purposes only and not to be used as medical advice. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your diet, medications, or daily routine. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

References:

1. https://koan.life/post/healthier-cannabis-infused-recipes/