Cannabis is now legal in New York. The new law has laid down a number of provisions which includes allowing the use of cannabis products which were earlier banned for consumption. That’s good news for all those who have been wondering what edibles taste and feel like. You are now legally allowed to buy and consume cannabis edibles.
But wait!
Before you use your New York medical card and visit a dispensary to explore the new edibles in store, you must learn how to buy the best quality edibles and also use them effectively. That’s the only way to have the best experience with edibles.
We can give you a hand. Just read along to find some really useful tips that can help you buy and use cannabis for the first time.
Tips to Buy Cannabis Edibles
When buying cannabis edibles for the first time, you need to be careful about the products you buy. All you need to do is remember a few steps before making your first purchase. So, let’s go through each one by one.
Always Buy From Registered Dispensaries or Online Stores
Never buy cannabis edibles from a source you do not trust. Buying cannabis edibles or any other products from unregistered sellers can be a call for trouble. You must always go for state-registered dispensaries or reliable online stores to buy cannabis edibles. The reason behind choosing registered sellers is the fact that they always sell quality products from reliable brands.
Cannabis edibles are a little tricker to dose. Only proper companies and brands have access to expert personnel and instruments that can create cannabis edibles as per the instructions. These registered brands can offer a huge range in terms of doses with each edible. And the most important part is that you can rely on the dose they claim to have in their edibles.
Otherwise, you can end up with contaminated or unreliable doses in edibles bought from unregistered sellers.
Read the Labels
The next most important step is to read the labels. When buying edibles from a registered source, you will find proper labels on every product. Take the time to read it because it will help you understand the quality of the product and also compare different edibles to find the best one for yourself.
Check the cannabinoid strength especially the THC and CBD ratio, the production process, and manufacturing and expiration date and other certifications. The labels will also give you an idea about the additional ingredients that may be used in the production of the edible to give you a heads up about any possible allergens or ingredients that you wish to avoid.
Always Check the COA
In addition to the labels, you can also get a better idea about a product from its certificate of analysis. It’s a certificate issued by a third party testing laboratory that undergoes several tests on every batch of a brand’s products. From microbial analysis, residual solvents to moisture content, everything is tested and mentioned in the COA to ensure transparency of the safety of the edible.
Tips For Consuming Edibles For the First Time
While edibles is one of the many methods of administration, it works differently from the other methods. This is the reason why you need to be extra careful when taking your first bite. Here’s how you can keep caution from your side.
Don’t Overestimate Your Dose
The taste and appearance of edibles can often make people forget that they are infused with medical marijuana. But do not let yourself be swayed by the deliciousness. Because it can lead to overdosing.
Also, dosing with edibles is not a herculean task since most brands have only a specific concentration of cannabinoids in an edible. And generally, the amount is very low which allows easy microdosing. However, you need to be careful with the total amount you are consuming in a day.
A high dose of edibles may be more intoxicating than smokables or other methods.
Have Patience
One characteristic feature of cannabis edibles is that they have a slow onset. Since the effects vary from person to person, the onset can also vary according to the individual characteristics of the consumer.
So, you can expect the edibles to kick in anywhere within 30 to 90 minutes. If you are a beginner, keep that in mind. Do not be hasty. If you think that an edible is not working, try increasing the dose the next day by a very little amount and wait.
Stay In a Safe Place
When using cannabis edibles or any cannabis product for that matter, beginners should always stay in a safe place. Also, avoid taking part in any activity that requires alertness or can cause risk to your safety or that of others.
Edibles can turn out to be more potent than you would expect. In some people, THC can turn into a more potent 11-hydroxy-THC which can cause more intense intoxication. This is one of the reasons why all doctors advise patients to microdose and be very careful when using edibles.
Learn to Deal With a High
Overdosing with edibles is very common among beginners. In case that happens with you, you must be able to deal with it in an effective manner.
First of all, you must realize that cannabis overdoses are very rarely fatal. In most cases, proper rest can wash off the effects. You can also try other tips and tricks like hydrating yourself or consuming healthy food.
Sometimes, CBD can also help negate the psychological effects of THC.
In any case, it’s best to have a doctor or professional on speed dial so that you can have expert help immediately. The best option is to always consume edibles in the presence of someone trustworthy.
Having gone through these points, you will now be able to have a great first experience with edibles.