A complete guide to cannabis edibles

Whether you live in a wonderland of legal recreational marijuana use, never leave home without your medical card or find yourself in one of the three U.S. states where there’s currently no legal cannabis program—call up your reps, Idaho, Kansas and Nebraska!—there’s no denying that weed in its abundance of forms has become more accessible than ever. Gummies made with organic fruits from tiny farms in California? Yum! Seltzers promising free-flowing conversation and zero hangxiety? Yes, please! 

Thanks in large part to the passage of the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp by removing it from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, provided it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC, cannabis sales in the U.S. are booming. According to BevSource, recent reports project that cannabis product sales will hit $42 billion in 2026, with cannabis-infused edibles and drinks accounting for around 14% of that number.

“With big alcohol companies now investing in infused drinks, it is clear that consumers are stepping away from alcohol but still want something social to consume at events,” says Dr. Riley Kirk (@cannabichem), a cannabis research scientist and educator who wrote a book on cannabis science called Reefer Wellness, co-founded a nonprofit organization that focuses on research and education and hosts a podcast called Bioactive!

It’s a big, wide rolling hill of greenery to explore out there, and it can be daunting, especially with all the legal gray area. For that reason, we’ve done the research, chatted with the experts and sampled the goods firsthand to bring you the most up-to-date and easily digestible insights into this subject. Looking to indulge in a bit of edible cannabis or dip a toe into the ever-expanding pool of THC drinks? Here’s what to know right now, from dosages and onset times to strain selection, product red flags and more.

What’s the biggest difference between hemp THC and marijuana THC?

It primarily comes down to legality: Hemp-derived THC is federally legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% by dry weight, while marijuana-derived THC is only legal in states with medical or recreational laws. This hemp loophole has given people nationwide a legal way to tap into THC’s effects without needing a dispensary.

The legal loophole also creates some important differences in regulation. “Marijuana-based THC is highly regulated because it is distributed through the legal cannabis industry, where products need to be tested for potency and safety prior to getting into people’s hands,” says Dr. Kirk. 

“Hemp-based THC can either be from the plant or made within a laboratory. It can also be a slightly changed molecule so it is no longer the version of THC found in the plant (delta-9 THC), but is not a different version like delta-8 THC or delta-10 THC, which both will get you high but are not naturally extracted from the plant.” 

Why do some people not “feel” edibles?

“Our research shows that as many as 20% of consumers cannot feel the effects of edibles,” says Dr. Kirk.  “This is likely because the way THC has to be processed in the liver before reaching the bloodstream. It takes specific enzymes to process THC and some people with genetic differences will process them less efficiently.

“Other things that may influence this are if someone is on other supplements or pharmaceutical drugs, or if they have eaten fatty substances ahead of time. Eating fatty foods will help the absorption of THC and can increase the chances that you will feel something.”

What are the differences between edibles and THC drinks?

Because the body processes food and drinks differently, you should expect different onset times, durations and overall experiences when eating your THC versus drinking it. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Edibles 

• Longer onset times: 30 minutes to two hours. This is because edibles must be digested in your stomach and processed by the liver before entering your bloodstream.
• Longer duration: four to six hours, or longer. This is because your body processes edibles at a slower rate.
• Stronger effects: Though dosage is a factor, edibles tend to hit harder. We all know someone (or have been that someone) who’s eaten more, thinking their edibles weren’t kicking in, and lived to regret it.

THC drinks

• Shorter onset times: 15 minutes to one hour. This is because the nanoemulsified THC in a drink starts entering the bloodstream in the soft tissues of your mouth and continues down into your stomach.
• Shorter duration: two to three hours. This is because THC drinks are absorbed more quickly by your system.
• Milder effects: Most THC drinks come in lower doses, between two and 10 mg per serving. This makes it easier to control your dosage and maintain a more mellow high. Depending on the dose, one THC drink feels similar to drinking one beer or glass of wine.

OK, I’m ready to shop—where do I start?

Whether you’re shopping in person or online, try going in with an idea of what you’re looking for. These questions should help get you started:

• How do I want to feel?

Focused and energized, playful and social, mellow and restored? Most shops offer indica, sativa, or hybrid strains, as well as CBD options (a non-psychoactive cannabis compound used for more relaxing, therapeutic effects). 

• What’s my experience level?

Novice, experienced, expert? Beginners will want to start with a low-dose option, generally anything 5mg or less. Frequent users will build up a tolerance and may opt for higher dosages.

• Where am I going to be?

Out and about, at a party, chilling at home? Since edibles take more time to kick in and stay in your system longer, they might be better suited for an evening on the couch or a casual day of errands. You’ll feel the effects of a THC drink faster, which may help you pace yourself more easily in social situations.

Discuss your preferences with the dispensary professionals—a good budtender will chat with you and help you find a personalized set of products. If you’re shopping online, look for retailers with highly detailed product descriptions. If you’re not confident in how a certain product will make you feel, keep browsing! The benefit of having so many options is you’re bound to find one that speaks to your exact, unique desires.

Dr. Kirk says:

“Strains don’t really matter because most drinks/edibles are not formulated in a strain-specific way that keeps all the important chemistry around, but some are made with rosin or whole plant extracts and do feel noticeably different. Cannabinoid profiles can play a huge role, whether the plant has only THC or THC and CBD, etc.”

What are some of the most important things to look out for when shopping for cannabis edibles in legal dispensaries, smokeshops and online stores?

If you live in a state where recreational or medical use has been legalized, navigating the dispensaries shouldn’t be too challenging; everything for sale here is highly regulated and the budtenders are trained to guide you to the perfect products for your individual needs. 

Buying cannabis edibles or THC drinks online can be a bit trickier based on the sheer number of shops, so it’s important to do your research, compare prices and check customer reviews before making a purchase. Here are some other things to look out for to ensure a smooth experience:

• THC and CBD contents and dosages are clearly labeled. 
• Ingredients are clearly listed and don’t include excessive additives.
• Information on strains, extraction methods and other aspects are noted.
• Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are available, verifying that a licensed third-party lab has tested cannabis products for potency and quality.

Dr. Kirk says:

“Some of the most important things to look for when shopping for cannabis edibles are that they are tested in a laboratory to ensure you are taking the proper dose of a product. Other things you may want to note are whether it is plant-derived or synthetically derived. I prefer plant-derived products, which are not going to be the products available at smoke shops typically. To me, the highest-quality edibles are rosin or whole plant edibles, which can be difficult to find. But if you can get your hands on some, it's a completely different experience.”

Our favorite edibles and THC drinks right now:

Availability varies based on where you live, but there are a few brands that’ve been doing the good work and setting themselves apart from the rest when it comes to edibles and THC drinks. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are a few of our favorite cannabis brands right now, from top-selling gummy shops to emerging seltzer brands and more.

Edibles

• Green Thumb – Their Colorado-founded Incredibles line of edibles is behind one of the first big legal cannabis chocolate bars in the U.S.
• Kiva – We love their Camino Sours, which are available in hemp or marijuana-derived THC, and come in fun flavors like Watermelon Spritz and Blackberry Dream.
• Rose Los Angeles – Rose LA stands out for its ingredient-driven approach and collaborations with celebrated chefs and farmers. Their products are shoppable online.
• Wyld – Oregon’s Wyld focuses on gummies. If that’s your thing, we’d recommend the indica-enhanced Elderberry gummies for a truly blissful night’s sleep.
• Wana – This is a massive and reputable national brand with a huge selection. Though their marijuana-based products are only available through in-person dispensaries, you can shop hemp-based versions online at Wanderous by Wana.

THC drinks

• Brēz – A Florida-based seltzer that combines delta-9 with functional mushrooms, another growing industry in the wellness space.
• Cann – These “social tonics” combine micro-dosed THC and CBD for a nice, balanced effect and come in fancy flavors like Yuzu Elderflower and Blood Orange Cardamom.
• Trail Magic – For a break from seltzers, Trail Magic offers infused an iced tea and strawberry lemonade in 5 or 10mg doses.
• Triple – This lesser-known line of seltzers in made with real juice and 3 mg of THC per can. The flavors are simple, light and crisp compared to some other brands. Our favorite is Lime!
• Wims! – Their Pocket Tonic comes in two flavors plus an unflavored version. The liquid packets are designed to be dispensed into any drink, making this option ideal for discreet use on the go.

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