a consumer . Most of the edibles in Missouri are dosed at 10-15mg or less per piece . Make sure to check the packaging for directions about this . If there is no dosing information on the package , make sure to ask your budtender . As I have mentioned in previous columns , it is VERY important to start small and go slow with edibles until you find your desired dose / effect . I recommend starting with 2.5mg to 5mg , depending on your body size ( larger bodies can typically handle higher doses , but not always ). Once you have tried this
Some edibles are available with microdose squares with partial cut-lines for those who want to start slow a take smaller pieces rather than the entire piece . amount , wait at least 60-90 minutes to feel the effect before deciding to eat more ( whether that be in the moment or the next day / time ).
Dosing is incredibly important to understanding what edible amount is best for you . Sample questions to ask budtenders when purchasing edibles :
● What are the ingredients in this edible ?
● Where is the dosing information on this edible packaging ? ( If there is none , make sure to ask how many mg per piece and any other relevant dosing information .)
● What can you tell me about the company that manufactured this edible ( ethics , social responsibility , quality of products , etc .)?
● How does this edible compare in price to other similar products ?
After you have selected the cannabis flower you want to use to make your edibles , the next step is decarboxylating . Without decarboxylation , cannabis won ’ t provide the benefits many people seek when consuming cannabis . The raw flower contains tetrahydrocannabinolic acid ( THCA ) and cannabidiolic acid ( CBDA ). When the flower is exposed to the proper amount of heat and is decarboxylated , these acids activate to become tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) and cannabidiol ( CBD ). Cannabis decarboxylation naturally occurs when the plant is smoked or vaporized , so it is necessary to carefully decarboxylate the cannabis to be ready for use in your edibles .
There are two traditional methods of decarboxylating at home . One uses boiling water in a slow cooker , while the other involves baking cannabis in the oven . Once you have done that , the next step is putting it into a base ingredient . You can infuse cannabis into yogurt , honey , butter , coconut oil , flour , sugar , and more . Doing this step ahead of time reduces the time and effort needed to incorporate cannabis into your edibles . You can find out more with a quick search online of how to use these methods from start to finish and create your edibles at home . There are even some products out there that are made specifically for this purpose .
There are several equipment options for decarbing and infusing flower . Oil and butter infusers streamline the process , reduce mess , and minimize the smell . This equipment will decarboxylate plus infuse all-in-one machine .
Perhaps your lifestyle is more suited for creating your own edibles rather than buying them at a dispensary .
Edibles are a great option for cannabis consumers , whether you choose to purchase them or make them yourself .
Making your own edibles does have the benefits of lower cost , more control over ingredients and sourcing , and more personalized potency / dosing . If you are a registered home grower , you already have the most expensive part of edible products essentially “ in-house ,” which can save you a lot of money , especially if edibles are a product you consume regularly . Likewise , you would have complete control over what growing products are used for the cannabis throughout its lifecycle and harvest . Whether you home grow or not , if you make your edibles , you also have complete control over what ingredients go in them , which can be very helpful for those with dietary restrictions .
Editor Note : For more details about making your own homemade edibles , see page 40 where Jay Richardson will guide you through his step by step process .
Have a cannabis education related question for Leah ? She ’ s a St . Louis native and a cannabis activist since 2010 ! Leah is excited to help answer all your medical marijuana questions . Please send questions to leah @ theweedblog . com . Your question may be featured in a future issue of The EVOLUTION Magazine .
JULY 2023 13