Edibles are a great way to get your daily dose of cannabinoids. For medical patients, they are a smoke-free and long-lasting way to take cannabis. If you ever find yourself wondering ‘how many THC gummies are too many’, keep on reading.
THC-infused gummies don’t have the same effects as smoking cannabis flower. Cannabis edibles take longer to kick in because they have to pass through the digestive system, but smoking cannabis reaches the bloodstream instantly.
It can take several hours for edibles to peak, so it’s easy to overdo it and consume too much.
But, your “too many edibles” might not be the same as your friend’s “too many.” Here’s how to find your sweet spot:
Choose the Right Product
It all starts with the product you purchase.
You want to pay the most attention to the product’s THC content to avoid overdoing it. Most states don’t allow edibles to contain more than 100 total milligrams of THC, so manufacturers will often split that into 5 or 10-milligram servings.
Beyond THC, the additional compounds in the cannabis plant, like terpenes and flavonoids, also play a part in how the THC-infused gummies affect you. Terpenes can modify how cannabinoids like THC are absorbed.
Unfortunately, most brands don’t list the terpene and flavonoid content on their gummies and edibles packaging. Some companies will differentiate between indica and sativa, but experts suggest that’s not necessarily the most accurate way to categorize cannabis products.
Beyond reading the product reviews online and asking for the budtenders’ recommendation, selecting the right THC gummy can be a game of trial and error.
Selecting a Dosage
When it comes to dosing edibles, one rule of thumb stands out above them all: start low and go slow. This rule can be applied to all consumers trying a new cannabis product, but especially edibles because of how long they take to work.
Edibles can peak anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, but sometimes it takes even longer to feel the effects.
New consumers often think they have to take more after not feeling anything for 30 or 45 minutes. Then over the next few hours, it hits all at once and can be very overwhelming – especially if you took too many.
Once you’ve done your research and narrowed down a product you’d like to try, determine whether it’s a 5 or 10-milligram serving. This will tell you how many pieces to cut the gummy into.
Gummies are often easier to split into two than chocolate, which is prone to melting, so keep that in mind when making your final selection.
Here is a general guideline to follow when selecting your dosage. Keep in mind that this is for the average consumer, you might respond differently – so take it slow:
- Micro (1-5 mg): If you’re new to edibles you should consider starting at half of this, maybe even less. You can still expect to feel mild relief of pain, stress, and anxiety, along with improved focus and creativity at this dosage.
- Mini (5-10mg): Stronger symptom relief, enhanced creativity, mild euphoria, and potential drowsiness comes with 5-10 milligram of THC.
- Moderate (10-30mg): Strong euphoria, may begin to experience altered perception and impaired coordination. New users may experience negative effects at this stage, so proceed with caution.
- Strong (30-50mg): Very strong euphoria and altered perception. Recommended only for experienced users, or those with poor GI absorption of cannabinoids.
- Mega (50-100mg): Heavily impaired coordination and altered perceptions. Doses this high are only recommended for highly experienced users or those with cancer and other chronic conditions that require very high doses to treat.
How to Access THC Gummies
If you live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, you don’t have to get a medical cannabis card before purchasing it. Edibles are available at both medical and recreational dispensaries.
Medical cannabis patients do benefit from perks like greater allotments and less taxes on dispensary purchases, so it’s worth it for certain patients. Medical cannabis patients might also have access to products only available in the medical market.
Every state has a slightly different process to obtain a medical cannabis card, but the basic steps are the same:
- Determine Your Eligibility: Each state has a different list of qualifying conditions. Some states allow for the physician to make their best judgment based on the severity of symptoms, whether the condition is explicitly listed or not.
- Get a Doctor’s Recombination: After determining your eligibility, it’s time to talk to a physician. The physician will do an evaluation and determine if you’re a good candidate for medical cannabis. Because medical cannabis isn’t covered under insurance, there is a small fee to see a physician.
- Apply with Your State: After getting your doctor’s recommendation, you have to submit an application to the state. Most applications are accepted, and technical errors are usually the only reason to be rejected. There is a small fee to apply, usually no more than $50.
Heally’s network of integrative physicians can help you get a medical cannabis card wherever medical cannabis is available. To schedule an appointment, fill out this contact form.
