A Guide to Modern Cannabis Edibles
Before the advent of adult-use legal dispensaries, modern edibles and licensed cannabis brands, procuring pot-infused goods was mostly a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. Let’s face it: Buying through unregulated channels doesn’t usually come with much in the way of choice, which is why plastic-wrapped cookies and brownies of dubious origin (and unknown potency) still linger in the public’s mind as the default imagery when the subject of cannabis edibles arises.
That may have been true in the past, but today, there’s a veritable grocery store’s worth of different cannabis foods, snacks, beverages and tinctures available—all thoroughly tested, clearly labeled and packaged safely to protect children and pets. In 2018, California’s official entry into adult-use cannabis sales further jumpstarted what was then an already-burgeoning movement towards a wide new world of edibles that truly runs the gamut from gummies to gourmet cuisine.
However, in order to fully appreciate the current menu that’s widely available, one must understand how edibles work. For instance, why is igniting cannabis flower required to enjoy the benefits of cannabinoids while no fire is needed for edibles? And why does smoking or vaping weed get enthusiasts high almost instantly, while eating edibles can take up to an hour or more for the peak onset of effects to hit?
The answers reside within the human digestive system, as well with as a vital process known as decarboxylation. Hungry for more?
Eating vs. Smoking
The scientific nuances of cannabis can often feel overwhelming, but thankfully, when it comes to edibles, the process is fairly straight-forward.
The key difference with eating or drinking cannabis (as opposed to smoking it) is that the cannabinoids which will ultimately cause feelings of being stoned, must first travel through the stomach and liver before reaching the body’s bloodstream. By contrast, smoking or vaping cannabis sends those same cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream, which explains why it takes longer for the effects from an edible to kick in.
But there’s another crucial piece to this puzzle: decarboxylation. Simply put, decarboxylation is the process by which the psychoactive compounds of the cannabis plant are activated. If these compounds aren’t activated, you’re not going to feel the expected effects or get high from consuming cannabis.
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