Edibles can be intimidating if you don’t know what to look for. Here are some basics you should know before visiting a dispensary.

The world of edibles can be overwhelming for those who have no previous experience with them. There are all types and dosages available, not to mention their reputation for bad highs.  It’s natural to step into a dispensary and turn away from edibles, choosing something more approachable, something you have more experience with that doesn’t have the potential to keep you couch-locked.

Despite this, a large percentage of cannabis users enjoy edibles, so much so that they choose them over all other methods of consumption. Edibles are healthier than vaping and smoking (at least for your lungs), and are capable of producing stronger results. They’re likely to provide more pain relief and a stronger response from your mind and body.

Still, these facts don’t make edibles any less intimidating, especially if you don’t know what’s in them and how they work. Here are some of the basics you should know, but first, make sure you understand Why You Need To Be Careful Using Edibles The First Time.

Cannabutter Vs. Extracts

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Edible makers can infuse their foods with marijuana through a variety of ways, primarily with cannabutter and extracts. Cannabutter is the product that results once butter or oil is infused with cannabis. This mixture is then used to make brownies, chocolates, etc.. Cannabutter includes the benefits and limitations of the whole cannabis flower, providing you with the full spectrum of cannabinoids. This means that there’s THC, CBD, and more in these types of edibles but also that they’re more unpredictable.

Edibles made with extracts are more targeted. Producers can isolate THC or CBD in a lab and later add them to their products, making something that is more reliable and consistent. Edibles prepared with extracts are a good option for people who are looking for a specific effect.

Taste

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This all depends on the edible, but for the most part, edibles prepared with extracts tend to have less of a weedy flavor than those that are made with cannabutter. In order to be sure, you should ask your budtender and get a full breakdown of their products. Also, a lot of people enjoy that weedy flavor in edibles, so don’t be afraid of it.

Make Or Buy?

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While buying edibles is the easiest choice to make, especially if you’re a newbie, preparing edibles is a fun experience, one that can be done alone or with others. When preparing them yourself, it’s important to find a recipe and to stick to it, keeping in mind that cannabis must be decarboxylated and that the entire process will likely take you some time.

It’s also important to have patience and to know that you’ll be consuming cannabis through your stomach, which results in a delayed response. The best advice you’ll get is to pace yourself and to avoid eating more if you’re not feeling high yet, because you will.