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Olivia Castro

Should You Choose Edibles As Your Format of Choice?

Updated: Dec 7, 2022


Edibles have been a super popular format for medical marijuana consumption, and marijuana consumption in general. There is a very long history of marijuana brownies, gummies, and cookies creeping up at parties for decades. But what exactly are edibles? Are they beneficial? Are they even legal in Ohio’s medical marijuana program?


These are all great questions that we will answer in today’s article! In Ohio’s medical marijuana program edibles are fully legal for consumption.


At Ohio Marijuana Card, we want to go above and beyond being your go-to medical marijuana card provider. We want to give you quality and accurate information that you need also regarding medical marijuana formats so that you have all of the tools you need to make the best decision for your health and wellness!


Yes, edibles have been one of the most popular formats of marijuana for years but there is also a lot of information about them that you should know before they are available at your local dispensary.


In today’s article, we will be going over exactly what edibles are and why they can be beneficial for you. We also will be sharing how to properly dose edibles, how to make your own at home and get access to local dispensaries in Ohio to purchase them.


Voilà! After reading this you will be an edibles connoisseur!


What are Edibles?

Edibles are simply just that. They’re edible marijuana!


Edibles refers to any food that is infused with or contains cannabis. It is usually infused into a fat-soluble base such as butter or oil. Once you have an infusion, it is easy to use that infusion into foods such as brownies, cookies or gummies!


Since cannabis edibles are consumed orally, they are digested through the stomach and liver. This is what makes edibles more potent and have long lasting effects over time. But with this also comes a longer wait time for them to take effect on the body.


Edibles have stood the test of time since you can get an exact dose that lasts a long time without having to smoke marijuana which often feels, to some, like a more recreational way to consume marijuana.


The Benefits of Marijuana Edibles:

There are many benefits that come with using cannabis edibles as your format of choice!


One of those benefits is that the dosing is super accurate. As long as you buy edibles from a licensed dispensary in Ohio, the dosing will be accurate. This will give you a method that you can count on for consuming medical marijuana which is harder to get with other formats such as marijuana flower.


The effects of cannabis edibles also last much longer! Edibles take time for the body to feel the effects since they are absorbed through the stomach and also the liver, but once they are, the effects last for a long time. This is why edibles are great for treating medical conditions that need long treatment periods such as chronic pain, or PTSD.


Edibles can also be consumed subtly. If you are worried about the smell that marijuana flower can give off, edibles are a way to avoid that. Or if you just have a noisy mother snooping through your things, edibles appear to look just like any other food choice. Just make sure no one else eats them by accident!


The Right Dosage:

The right dosage of any medical marijuana product is different based on each individual's needs. But why is this?


There are many factors that are involved in how one’s body reacts to medical marijuana and just any medication in general. These factors can include how often a person consumes medical marijuana, gastrointestinal issues, or how sensitive a person’s endocannabinoid system is.


The Rule of Low and Slow:

The first rule when using edibles is to be patient!


Edibles take much longer to be absorbed into the body so many people make the mistake of over consuming an edible, and then because they don’t feel the effects immediately and then consume more. This can lead to an uncomfortable “high” which can insight paranoia or anxiety which is the opposite goal of using medical marijuana.


While this may seem off putting to some, it is a super easy situation to avoid. Just be mindful to start with at a low dose and wait patiently for the effects to kick in. It could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for you to fully feel the effects of an edible so keep that in mind while you wait.


The General Rule of Thumb

Based on the effects and relief that you are looking for, there is a general rule for the amount of edibles you should be consuming. Below are the basic rules but make sure to keep in mind that these may vary based on each individual so remember to always start low and slow!


2 - 15 mg THC edibles:

Within this THC range, you can feel intense relief from chronic pain, insomnia and PTSD as well as experience some light psychoactive effects. This dose is great if you are looking to treat symptoms that have not been treated by a lower dosage that you have tried before.


25 - 50 mg THC edibles:

With this higher dose, you are more likely to feel an intense psychoactive effect. This is great for those that have a high tolerance THC strains and consume regularly as well as for those whose gastrointestinal systems that do not absorb marijuana so well.


50 - 100+ mg THC edibles:

At this THC dosage, you could start to feel some of the negative effects and have an uncomfortable “high”. This could make you feel anxious, paranoid and increase your heart rate. This dose could still be helpful for those with cancer or other serious medical conditions.


How to Finding the right CBD:THC ratio:

Finding a medical cannabis format that has the right balance between CBD and THC can actually enhance the medicinal properties of medical marijuana while also decreasing the risk of any unwanted effects.


This is because CBD is a partial blocker of the euphoric effects of THC. So if you wish to get the medicinal values without the risk of an uncomfortable “high”, a well balanced CBD to THC hybrid is best for you!


As the ratio of CBD to THC increases, the likelihood of negative effects goes down actually. So, for example, at a 4:1 ratio, the negative effects are less likely at a standard dose. Therefore, if a person takes 5 mg of THC and they feel impaired, they could take 20 mg of CBD and 5 mg of THC together and feel less impairment or even no impairment at all!


Making Your Own Edibles

It is more than possible to make your own edibles at home and, in fact, many people very much enjoy it!


As stated before, THC and CBD cannabinoids are fat-soluble so they have to bind to the fat in your body in order for you to process them. This is why most people use butter or oil to infuse their marijuana flower with.


Marijuana flower needs to be decarboxylated before infusing, meaning it needs to be heated for our bodies to absorb the effects. When marijuana flower is smoked, this happens when it catches fire but for edibles this can happen by heating the flower in an oven at a low temperature, then using those flower buds to infuse oil or butter.


Making edibles by decarboxylating marijuana flower is not the only way to make edibles though! In Ohio, marijuana oils such as tinctures are permitted which can be used to make edibles as well.


How to Get Edibles in Ohio


We can help you with this!


At Ohio Marijuana Card, our job is to make it as easy as possible for you to get your medical marijuana card. You can do this with us in four easy steps!

  1. Schedule an appointment with us by booking online or calling us at (866) 457-5559.

  2. Submit all your documentation by completing the patient intake form and sending us your medical records.

  3. Meet with our certified medical marijuana doctors and discuss your qualifying condition.

  4. With the doctor’s approval you will receive your medical marijuana card and have access to dispensaries all throughout Ohio!


It really is that easy. Don’t wait another day for the relief you deserve!


 

Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.

Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.

If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!

Check out Ohio Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Ohio.

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