If you’re curious about trying CBD edibles, there’s no better time than now. 11 U.S. states have legalized cannabis for recreational use and 22 more allow medical cannabis use.
If you live in one of these legal states, trying CBD and CBD edibles is as easy as going to your local dispensary. Even if you don’t, you can still try hemp-derived (vs. cannabis-derived) CBD edibles since this kind of CBD is legal in all 50 states.
So what are CBD edibles exactly and how do you know what’s a good product? Learn everything you need to know as a beginner in this quick guide.
What Are CBD Edibles?
CBD edibles are food products like baked goods, beverages, lollipops, and gummies that contain a chemical derived from cannabis and/or hemp plants called cannabidiol. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of more than 100 different compounds found in the cannabis plant.
The edible CBD products contain CBD oil, which comes from the cannabis or hemp plant’s flowers, leaves, and resin. You can use CBD oil to make more than just edibles. It also works well in tinctures and topical pain relief creams.
What Do CBD Edibles Do?
Legal CBD edibles do not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the chemical compound responsible for making cannabis users feel high. CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive chemical and does not create a high in users like products with THC.
People use CBD to treat a variety of symptoms including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Chronic pain
- Multiple sclerosis
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Symptoms from cancer treatment (like nausea and vomiting)
Due to the long-standing illegality of cannabis, not enough research exists to properly confirm all of the effects. However, the few existing studies show wide-ranging possibilities for CBD to treat many medical disorders.
Does CBD Have Any Negative Side Effects?
CBD edibles are very safe and are non-toxic. It’s impossible to overdose on CBD, so you never need to worry about taking too much. The side effects you may experience from CBD edibles are the same as other CBD infused products.
Some people may experience:
- Dry mouth (a common side effect of cannabis products)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Most of these side effects are uncommon. They can indicate that you took too high a dose for your current tolerance level. Try lowering your dosage and seeing how you feel after a few more dosases.
When Will You Start Feeling CBD Edibles?
CBD infused edibles enter your body slower than taking a CBD tincture, but they often last longer. With a tincture, you may start to feel effects in as little as 15 minutes. Whereas with a CBD edible, you should expect to wait at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours before you start feeling the effects.
Many factors affect how quickly you feel the edible CBD product. Your metabolism, the strength of the dosage, and whether or not you’ve eaten recently all affect the timeframe.
If you’ve never taken edibles before, it’s always better to start with a lower dose than you think you need. Avoid taking more because you don’t feel the effect yet. Simply wait and then try taking a larger dose the next time.
How Are Legal CBD Edibles Made?
CBD edibles are made from CBD oil derived from hemp or cannabis plants. Hemp plants contain less than 0.3% THC, which makes hemp oil legal in every state. Cannabis plants, however, contain a significant amount of THC, but it varies from plant to plant.
CBD products derived from hemp contain no THC, but products derived from cannabis contain trace amounts of THC. This trace amount of the psychoactive THC compound creates what’s called the entourage effect and makes cannabis-derived CBD more potent than hemp-based CBD.
Some companies offer this full-spectrum CBD while others produce isolates or broad-spectrum products.
An isolate contains an extraction of only CBD or only THC. It usually comes in a white powder or crystalline concentrate. Since it does not have the other compounds found in cannabis, it tends to have a less potent effect.
A broad-spectrum CBD product contains all the other chemicals found in cannabis, including the very important terpenes, expect for THC. It’s more powerful than isolates but less potent than a full-spectrum CBD product.
Looking at the Label on Edible CBD Products
If you’re buying CBD infused edibles for the first time, you need to read the label so you know you’re getting a good product. Ask the following questions when reading an edible CBD product label:
- Have the CBD edibles been third-party tested?
If yes, that means the manufacture has sent their product for testing from an independent, or third-party lab. They lab test every batch of CBD edibles to confirm they contain the ingredients at the strengths they say they do.
Many even include important details like the test batch number and facility, the total amount of CBD per mg, and the testing date.
- Is there a Certificate of Analysis?
The third-party lab will provide a certificate of analysis, also known as a CoA. This will include a very detailed breakdown of every ingredient in the edible and their individual concentrations.
A CoA is the ultimate form of transparency in the cannabis industry. It verifies the product is safe and reliable.
- What is the serving size?
Take a look at the package size of your CBD edible. It will often list the total amount of CBD in the entire package while recommending a certain serving size.
The edible may contain 75mg of CBD total, but the serving size is only 5mg. So you’ll need to portion out the edible to take the recommended dosage. Start with the recommended serving size, or even half, to see how it makes you feel if you’ve never taking CBD edibles before.
Learn More About Cannabis and Cannabis-Infused Products
Buying CBD edibles has never been easier thanks to modern cannabis legalization. As long as you don’t mind a hemp-derived product, you can purchase CBD edibles in all 50 U.S. states.
CBD might not get you high like THC. However, its wide array of health benefits makes it an excellent treatment for childhood epilepsy, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Are you curious to learn more about cannabis and cannabis-infused products? You can find tons of information on the Areas of My Expertise blog. Budding cannabis entrepreneurs can also find great tips on starting a cannabis business.
Check it out today.
