The number one problem with marijuana edibles is that you are never entirely sure how to dose. That is until you’ve taken a too much. Everyone has overindulged, one or two hours after taking a tasty treat you think, “I’m not feeling anything, should I do more?” In almost every case you should wait, but usually, you don’t. Typically, you just keep eating cannabis edibles. The weed brownies are just too good to turn down. But can you still take too much if you are eating marijuana candy?
Marijuana candy comes in a ton of different formats. Many dispensaries sell a few varieties including hard candies, gummies, and lollipops. The reason why many people enjoy taking cannabis candies is that they are precisely and accurately dosed. They are also small, easily portable, and convenient.
What is a Marijuana Candy High Like?
The difference between smoking and eating weed is significant. Smoking is a much headier high. In other words, it quickly stimulates the mind and powerfully affects brain function. Smoking weed means the cannabinoids, including THC, are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. The effects are felt quickly and wear off sooner than if you eat an edible.
When you ingest cannabis, THC is absorbed through the digestive process. As you can imagine, this takes much longer to go into effect. A typical cookie will take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to fully absorb into the bloodstream. Once absorbed, the cannabinoids are processed by the liver and transformed into a metabolite called THC-COOH.
The high from edibles is entirely different from the heady high of smoking a joint. Most people report more of a body high, then an effect on the mind. In fact, provided you took an appropriate dose, you will likely feel incredibly relaxed.
Marijuana candy usually takes longer to affect an individual and hits much harder. Less is more when it comes to cannabis candy, because the psychoactive effects can last much longer. If you are used to smoking weed, the key is going slow and steady with edibles.
How to Dose Cannabis Candy
Candy is usually dosed quite high, at least when commercially made. The reason why they are typically stronger is that they are made with extracts and concentrates instead of shake. For most do-it-yourself brownie recipes relying on shake, the THC content ends up much lower. But this is why people love the candy, and it offers more bang for your buck.
If you eat commercially made cannabis candies, they should always be labeled with a dose. A standard dose usually ranges between 10 to 25 mg per candy. One candy is almost always enough.
As legal marijuana begins to spread across the country, dose guidelines are starting to become clear. For example in Colorado, one dose of edible is considered to be 10 mg. Colorado has also set a maximum limit for the amount of THC in edibles at 100 mg. Anything over 25 mg is an extremely high dose and is not recommended for new users.
A Warning For New Users
If you have never tried an edible before, it’s highly recommended to give it a shot. If you have only smoked weed, the high is much different if you ingest it. Many people prefer the relaxing body high of edibles to the paranoia of smoking. But before you go ahead and eat the entire pack of gummies a warning is needed.
Edibles, including candy, are delicious. It is easy to eat too many sweets, merely because they are delicious. Far too many people have stories of eating too many edibles and regretting the decision later.
There are no reported instances of people dying from over-consumption of weed, but you can definitely make yourself sick. Usually, symptoms include nausea, paranoia, and trouble breathing.
If you are trying marijuana candy for the first time, always start with the lowest dose available. Some dispensaries will have sweets with only two to five mg; this is a perfect starting point. Eat one dose, and wait. Be very patient. It could take upwards of two hours for you to feel anything. If by hour two you are still waiting, it’s probably safe to take another dose.
If you are eating homemade candy, the dosing is always suspect. Be sure to ask others before participating for the first time. Less is still more when it comes to consuming marijuana candy. Take your time and enjoy it slowly.
How to Make Marijuana Hard Candy
Now that you know everything there is to know about weed candy, you’ll want to get in on the action. Making your own edibles is a lot easier than you might think. Homemade candies make an excellent alternative for those who do not have access to dispensary products.
If you make your own candy, you know exactly what goes into it. Choose precisely what cannabinoid you need, CBD, THC or a combination of the two. If you prefer all natural ingredients or all organic, that’s also easy to incorporate as well.
There are a ton of recipes available online, but as a starting point follow the below recipe. Feel free to experiment with colour and flavors.
Required Equipment
Candy Thermometer
Candy Mold
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1¼ cup Weed infused Corn Syrup (recipe here)
1 cup water
food coloring
Flavoring of choice
- Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat.
- Using the candy thermometer, bring the mixture a hard crack (300 degrees).
- Immediately add any flavor or color that you have chosen.
- Once combined, pour immediately into candy mold. Be careful, as it will harden quickly.
- It will take an hour at least to harden fully, but once done they can be popped out. Toss in powdered sugar if desired.
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