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The world of edibles can be overwhelming for those with no previous experience. In the U.S., there are all types and dosages available, not to mention their reputation for resulting in bad highs. It’s easy to turn away from edibles, choosing something more approachable and has less couch-locked potential.

Despite these considerations, some cannabis users really enjoy edibles, so much so that they choose them over all other methods of consumption. Some argue that edibles are healthier than vaping and smoking (at least when it comes to the lungs) and are capable of producing stronger results. It is also possible they will provide more pain relief and a stronger response whether for the body or the mind.

Still, edibles can be intimidating, especially if a person is unfamiliar. Here are some basics that any user should know.

Cannabutter versus extracts

Edible makers can infuse their foods with cannabis in 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 a consumer with the full spectrum of cannabinoids. This means there’s THC, CBD and more in these types of edibles, but also that their effects can be less predictable.

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

CBD, one of the main components of the cannabis plant, is now being looked at as a highly effective remedy for all kinds of conditions.

Although not enough research has been conducted to prove it can cure any specific ailments, research indicates it can be effective in treating a wide variety of health issues.

When you read about all of its benefits, it almost seems like some kind of “miracle drug.”

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a miracle drug.

Even though it is holistic and safe, CBD does have some side effects associated with its use. 

You need genetic authentication to get specific information on cannabis strains. And getting that genetic information may not be available now—or for years to come.

You buy your favorite cannabis strain—let’s say it’s Blue Dream. It’s a common strain, very popular and available at many dispensaries no matter where in the 33 states you go to get it.

But a lab check will tell you that the Blue Dream you got in Denver is not the same Blue Dream you got in Chicago. There may be little changes in the chemical composition. There may be big changes. Or there may just be downright deceit: “Hey, Blue Dream is popular, let’s slap a label on this generic preroll of indistinguishable origin and call it Blue Dream and voila, sales increase!”

Only a lab analysis can show you the cannabinoid and terpene combinations of a specific strain of marijuana that can help you get what you want. Most responsible dispensaries have that information.

But that only gets you close to what you want. You need genetic authentication to get more specific. And getting that genetic information may not be available now—or for years to come.

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

Photo by ponce_photography via Pixabay

Any time that someone compares today’s marijuana with that of the 1960s, you can know with absolute certainty that they are lying.

One of the most successful themes in prohibitionist propaganda is the “New Potent Pot” line, which tells us that “marijuana stronger than it was back in the 60s, when everyone thought it was harmless.”   

This “new potent pot” line is intended to negate the knowledge gained by experience and thereby eliminate this type of objection. It is said that the THC levels of marijuana today are (pick a number) times higher than in the past. 

The notion that today’s marijuana that your children might smoke is qualitatively different from the marijuana in the past is obviously perfect for anxious parents who have been conditioned by decades of prohibitionist propaganda to feel guilty about their youthful “experimentation.” In this regard it is very successful. 

That there is no data to back it up is not a problem, because, when the subject is marijuana,  the usual purveyors of data — the media (right, left and center) — have been in the anti-fact business for decades.  They have enshrined the “new potent pot” line as a basic part of “conventional wisdom.” Everyone knows…. Actually, it is what everyone does not know that is important.  

Infused cannabis beverage makers are still addressing and experimenting with taste and dosing issues, and progress has been steady. But there is still a sense that all is not ready to go… just yet.

Non-alcoholic beer infused with CBD or THC sounds like a good plan. A natural fit. A new sort of buzz that doesn’t put you under the table, drooling as you slip into a moment of blanking out. It’s a more user friendlier intoxicant.

But there are a number of obstacles to overcome with cannabis-infused beverages, including taste, how much and what kind of CBD or THC to infuse, and consumer education about drinking these new cannabis products amid a mind-numbing onslaught of more and more cannabis products that clutter the shelves of most dispensaries.

Consumers know infused beverages as a sort of beer replacement product that does what beer does, only different.

Hey, why not an infused beer? Both hops and cannabis are closely related agriculture products. Both have terpenes and terpenoids (THC is a terpenoid). But hops lack an enzyme that could convert one of its chemicals to THC or CBD.

It seems that cannabis has never attracted this much attention. After decades of being outlawed for no valid reason, many states have legalized it again. The positive campaign attracted many users and informed the public on the positive effects of marijuana.

What role can this plant play for athletes? Are marijuana and bodybuilding connected, and can you hope to achieve fitness goals faster with this herb? Here is an overview of the potential benefits and other things you should know about THC if you are an athlete.

How Does Marijuana Work on Bodybuilders?

The working process of cannabinoids is simple. Once you ingest them, they interact with your inner cannabinoid system. Each human has this system, which is capable of affecting pain, immune functions, appetite, and other processes.

Let’s take a look at how athletes can benefit from cannabis.

Rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z is launching his own cannabis brand in partnership with Caliva, the California-based weed company that hired the star as its chief brand strategist last year. 

Named Monogram, Jay-Z’s line of marijuana products launched its website and social media accounts on Friday.

“Monogram marks a new chapter in cannabis defined by dignity, care and consistency. It is a collective effort to bring you the best, and a humble pursuit to discover what the best truly means,” Monogram’s website highlights.

No further information on the specific products that will be sold under the Monogram brand has been released yet. 

However, according to the website, the flower used in Monogram’s products is grown in small batches, with a board of “cannabis experts” tasked with grading and hand-selecting each flower that goes into the line. 

Kota Shimomura, owner of CBD Coffee in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward, has noticed a peculiar thing about his clientele. “When talking to customers, they do things like cry,” he says.

The 35-year-old Shimomura stands outside his newly opened, white-walled storefront, eyeing a group of patrons taking curious sips of coffees and smoothies infused with droplets of the cure-all taking Tokyo, and the global lifestyle market, by storm: CBD.

Also known as cannabidiol, CBD is a nonpsychoactive ingredient found in cannabis, specifically hemp. It can be consumed in topical and edible forms, and its proponents claim it can alleviate ailments ranging from acne to inflammation to PTSD. But Shimomura says it’s more than just product intrigue that has drawn in droves of customers: It’s his shop’s consultations, which allow Tokyoites to release their stress.

“There’s really a need for (a place like this),” he says, noting the rise in telework has left many feeling isolated. “People don’t have others around them they can talk to, and in Japan there are lots of one-room apartments. I truly understand the need people who don’t have (support) have for this kind of store, where they can do things like relax and detox.”

Health benefits

Relax and detox, as it turns out, are hallmark buzzwords for the increasingly trendy CBD. In recent years, as the global conversation around cannabis has shifted and many countries have moved toward legalization, the extract has popped up in everyday products such as moisturizers, bath salts and beer.

Thanksgiving went virtual, Halloween is shaping up to be a hands-off experience and Christmas get-togethers might be a no-go. But that doesn’t mean gift-giving this festive season needs to suffer, particularly if one’s choice is the green stuff.

Despite COVID-19’s continuing clampdown, plenty of people are high on possibly making cannabis and pot-related products their gift for family and friends alike this coming holiday season.

So suggests the recent Maru/Blue online survey of 1,507 randomly selected Canadian adults, 453 of whom had used weed within the past five years. Commissioned by FIGR Brands Inc., the national poll results have been weighted by education, age, gender and region to match the population, as per Census data.

Indeed, just shy of a third of respondents (32 per cent) report that they would consider the gift of weed this holiday season, notes poll results provided to The GrowthOp. Friends are the most likely recipients of gifted weed, at 80 per cent, then siblings at 51 per cent and spouses and partners at 41 per cent.

In all, 27 per cent of respondents who are considering giving cannabis as a gift say that parents are potential recipients. / Getty Images

I grew up on the East Coast and my earliest weed dealers used to offer only two choices: Take it or leave it.

I always chose “take it.”

Nowadays I live in California and the modern marijuana retail experience offers so many strains, concentrates, edibles, topicals and delivery devices that it requires a concerted effort (and consistent product sampling) to keep it all straight — never mind stoned. So I included a special section on pot shopping in my book, “How To Smoke Pot (Properly):  A Highbrow Guide to Getting High.”

Whether you’re buying recreational weed in Colorado, medical marijuana in Michigan, or ordering off a coffee-shop menu in Amsterdam, the retail cannabis experience remains both delightful and disorienting to the unaccustomed. So here’s a few tips for keeping your wits about you when faced with all those wonderful choices.

Make a Budget for Getting Bud

Unless you grow your own, or have some lovely hookup, cannabis is most definitely a luxury item. And while it’s certainly OK to splurge on the herb from time to time, that’s a decision best made in advance, not once you’re faced with a menu of enticing strains, concentrates, and edibles. So decide how much you can afford to spend and how long it’s got to last in advance, and you’ll have a lot of fun weighing your options when the time comes, without stressing out about next month’s rent.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would be hosting a public event this November, discussing the differences of sex and gender in the effects of CBD and other cannabinoids. 

The FDA’s Office of Women’s Health made the announcement, since many conditions to which CBD is marketed, such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, are more prevalent in women. 

Last week, the FDA published a notice in the Federal Register, stating the “purpose of the public meeting is to discuss potential sex (biological) and gender (psychosocial) differences in use and responses to cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids. Researchers, educators, clinicians, and patients may benefit from attending this multidisciplinary scientific conference on CBD and other cannabinoids.” 

The notice also mentions discussing the use of CBD and other cannabinoids during pregnancy, citing it as an important public health concern.

Government agency perspectives on CBD research and evaluation will also be highlighted during the event.

An international study exploring possible genetic influences on cannabis use disorder (CUD) has identified an association between the disorder and a region of DNA near the FOXP2 gene, previously linked to risk-taking behaviour.

Headed by Washington University School of Medicine, researchers analyzed DNA and other data from almost 21,000 people diagnosed with CUD and 360,000 who did not have that diagnosis, notes a press release on findings.

The team identified two regions in human DNA, the FOXP2 gene being one of them, that appear to contribute to the risk of becoming dependent on cannabis. Previously linked to CUD and nicotine addiction, the scientists also implicated the CHRNA2 gene.

“When we think about why some people who use cannabis develop problems with it, about 50 per cent of that risk is due to genetics,” Arpana Agrawal, Ph.D., a senior investigator and professor of psychiatry, says in the statement.

“While the variants that we found are not currently useful in letting someone know about their personal risk, the genetic pathways might lead to better treatments for cannabis addiction in the future,” Agrawal points out.

Preparing edibles can be easy if you have the right ingredients. Here’s what you can use if you don’t feel like baking.

Baking and preparing edibles is a fun activity if you have the right disposition and tools, even if it takes longer than other methods of consuming cannabis. The baking process is one that’s normally ruled by lots of trial and error; adding weed into the mix only makes things more complicated. Still, you shouldn’t be intimidated at the thought of preparing your own edibles, especially now that there’s more time and willingness to bake and get creative.

Baking usually requires people to prepare their own cannabutter, a process that’s time consuming and that’s only a first step in the whole baking process. If you want to make some edibles but don’t feel like spending a lot of time on them, here are some things you can try:

THC infused honey sticks

Photo by Arwin Neil Baichoo via Unsplash

THC infused honey sticks are incredibly convenient. They can be drizzled on top of cookies, cakes, tea or coffee, transforming anything you have into a sweet treat that can get you high. There are also CBD infused honey sticks, which can be used to create edibles with no psychoactive effects.

An economic impact study on the legalization of recreational cannabis in Guam — obtained by the Guam Visitors Bureau and adopted by the Cannabis Control Board — says the industry could generate more than $100 million in economic activity and hundreds of jobs.

Guam residents could spend about $10 million on cannabis during the industry's first year, and tourists could spend more than $1 million, the study states.

The cannabis board transmitted the study to the Legislature on Oct. 19. The economic impact study is required under the April 2019 law that legalized recreational marijuana on island.

The cannabis board also is working on a separate required report on how the cannabis industry will impact government operations, including staffing and resources at the agencies that are involved in regulating it.

Adults currently can possess recreational cannabis and grow and consume it at home, but selling it or trading it for anything of value is illegal until the rules and regulations are adopted and the government-regulated industry starts.

A new study reveals that almost half of those who currently use cannabis in North America are over 40, a surprising number given the narrative that most cannabis users are in younger demographics. This insight came alongside many other interesting data points about the industry. 

This information comes from Akerna, a group in the industry that works with software, compliance technology, seed-to-sale research planning, and enterprise software for the cannabis companies across North America. It dug into North American cannabis consumer habits to reveal deep insights about the industry and how it operates, in order to shed light on what businesses can expect in the coming months. 

“Akerna is an enterprise software company focused on compliantly serving the cannabis, hemp, and CBD industry,” their biography states. “First launched in 2010, Akerna has tracked more than $20 billion in cannabis sales to date and is the first cannabis software company listed on Nasdaq. The company’s cornerstone technology, MJ Platform, the world’s leading infrastructure as a service platform powers retailers, manufacturers, brands, distributors, and cultivators.”

According to the breakdown from the Akerna study, which looked at type of cannabis consumption method, as well as age and gender of cannabis users, flower is the most popular way to consume cannabis in the U.S., with edibles the least popular besides the “other category. Results also showed that more men than women consume cannabis, as men logged in at 62.5 percent and women claimed 37.5 percent. 

Self-Reported Use

In addition to looking at the numbers for sales and the type of cannabis consumed, the study also examined the numbers for reported use. In most cases, the numbers mirrored each other, showing people reported accurately about what they consume. “Some of this confirms what we already know, that flower is the most popular consumption method,” says James Ahrendt, Business Intelligence Architect, Akerna. “However, we also found some surprising data points. For example, medical consumers on average spend more and purchase more items than their adult use counterparts.”

Because it’s listed top of the schedule of abused drugs, there is an expectation that marijuana must be as highly addictive as heroin, and therefore horribly destructive.

Every time you light up a joint or inhale the vapor from a THC-infused vape or crunch down on an edible or put a couple drops of a THC-infused tincture into your coffee, you are effectively becoming part of a statistic: the marijuana addict.

There are so many ways to get THC into your system now, and researchers say that’s the problem. Having so many options, often packaged in such a way that it just seems like ingesting this psychoactive drug is harmless fun with a sort of backhanded illusion of safety, is just the sort of thing that makes anti-marijuana believers think that there is more to see here. They smell coverup. They sense capitalism overreach threatening citizen health. They see a brand new industry jostling with the rules to make a buck.

They even believe that the fun and the party jolliness and the fuck-em-all camaraderie that is part of the experience of consuming marijuana is lulling all of us cannabis enthusiasts into getting addicted—and we don’t even know it.

But wait. Let’s take a closer look at what makes an addict.

At a time when it seems like no one can see eye-to-eye on anything, there is one undeniable fact that most can agree on: something needs to change. Industry leaders are hoping that 2021 will be the turnaround after a monumentally tragic year where the lingering effects of COVID-19 changed how business was done and how we communicate with one another in the online and offline worlds. Not only did this impact high-volume in-person trade show events, but also supporting industries such as hospitality, travel, arts, and leisure. 

Toronto-based cannabis events and marketing firm, Lift & Co, (OTC: LFCOF) which produces Canada’s largest cannabis expo, recently stunned industry insiders when it declared bankruptcy after laying off employees in March and postponing their annual November event. 

With no clear idea of what the future holds, the cannabis event industry is adapting in different ways as the pandemic rolls into its second wave. The Cannabis World Congress and Business Exhibition (CWCB) canceled all in-person events until 2021, hosting a two-day digital conference on November 17 and 18. Even non-cannabis behemoths like SXSW buckled under pressure to create a virtual experience that could live up to the real deal.

MJBizCon, who transformed their trade show into a month-long digital experience leading up to a three-day online conference event December 2-4, featuring keynote speaker John Mackey, CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods, now run with the tagline: “The show must go online.” 

But can it, really? 

Two years ago Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana sales.

Since then, the country has also made way for the legal sales of edibles, cannabis-infused beverages, and vape pens, but the newly legal cannabis market has faced its fair share of difficulties despite initial investor frenzy surrounding marijuana stocks. 

As Canada is the first major country to have fully legalized weed, governments around the world watched on with great interest these past two years as the legal pot market began to develop there, taking notes for when the time might come to allow marijuana to be sold for recreational use in their respective countries. 

A pandemic sales boom 

In line with public opinion, Canadian lawmakers took on legalization in late 2017, while the measure took effect on October 17,  2018, after passing both the House of Commons and the Senate. 

A total of 507 producers have been granted licenses to cultivate cannabis by Health Canada during the last two years, while sales of legal marijuana products have been on the rise monthly by month. Although the newly legal weed market faced immense competition from the illicit market, the coronavirus pandemic finally managed to bridge the gap between legal and illegal weed sales earlier this year.