Cannabis edibles refer to food or beverages infused with cannabinoids, primarily tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are derived from the cannabis plant. Edible forms include cannabis gummies – like DripCees Gummies by The Clear – brownies, cookies, mints, suckers, drinks, tinctures and more.
Consuming cannabis edibles can result in psychoactive effects and users report various therapeutic benefits. However, it’s essential to understand dosage guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience and to help avoid any discomfort and anxiety if you take too much.
We will go over considerations including tips for responsible use, edible content, serving size, tolerance, as well as onset time and duration of effects. We also include an edibles THC dosage chart to reference.
If you are an experienced consumer of cannabis edibles these tips may be a good reminder and if you are new to consuming edibles, take note!
Tips for Consuming Edibles
1. Start Low, Go Slow
It’s crucial to begin with a low dosage, especially if you’re a new user or have limited experience with edibles. Edibles can have a more potent and prolonged effect compared to other forms of cannabis consumption, such as smoking or vaping.
If you are consuming traditional edibles, start with a small dose and wait for at least 2 hours to gauge the effects before considering consuming more. If you are consuming a fast-acting edible like DripCees, the effects can be felt in as little as 15 minutes.
2. Know the Cannabinoid Content
Pay attention to the THC and CBD content mentioned on the packaging of the edible product, which are the two most abundant cannabinoids in marijuana. THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, while CBD is non-intoxicating and often associated with other therapeutic benefits. Higher THC concentrations can result in more potent effects.
More and more edible products are starting to include other cannabinoids besides THC and CBD as the reported and studied effects of minor cannabinoids are starting to emerge. DripCees by The Clear come in three different flavors and cannabinoid ratios with names that will clue you in to the effects of each.
3. Serving Size
Marijuana edibles are typically portioned into servings, indicating the amount of THC or CBD present in each portion. Common serving sizes are 5mg, 10mg, or 20mg, but some higher potency edibles may deliver as much as 100 mg of THC per serving! Consider your tolerance level and desired effects when choosing a serving size.
All DripCees Gummies come with 10mg of THC in each piece, with DripCees ‘Enjoy’ THC gummies in a Tropical Coconut flavor, having only THC in each piece. DripCees ‘Recover’ gummies that come in a refreshing strawberry watermelon flavor have 10mg THC and 10mg of CBG in each piece. DripCees ‘Sleep’ gummies contain 10mg of THC, 5mg of CBN and 5mg of CBD in each piece.
DripCees cannabis gummies come in the shape of The Clear’s iconic Drip-C logo and are scored with lines to help you split it into as many as 4 pieces for smaller doses. For example, if you split one piece of DripCees ‘Enjoy’ THC gummy into two pieces, each piece will contain approximately 5mg of THC.
4. Personal Tolerance
Individual tolerance to cannabis can vary significantly. Factors such as body weight, metabolism, previous cannabis use, and overall sensitivity to cannabinoids can influence how an edible affects you. Be aware of your own tolerance including frequency of use, and adjust your dosage accordingly. Remember, you can always take more but once you have eaten an edible you cannot take less!
5. Consider the Setting
Make sure you consume edibles in a comfortable and familiar environment, preferably with a trusted friend. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of edibles.
6. Avoid Mixing with Alcohol or Other Drugs
Combining edibles with alcohol or other substances can intensify the effects and increase the risk of adverse reactions. It’s generally recommended to consume edibles on their own.
7. Consult a Professional
If you’re unsure about dosing or have specific health concerns, consult a healthcare professional or a knowledgeable budtender at a licensed cannabis dispensary. They can provide guidance based on your individual needs.
You can also contact Leaf411, a cannabis nurse network that The Clear sponsors, if you have questions about cannabis. LEAF411 serves as an unbiased source of information from licensed professional nurses with specific training in cannabis.
If you have a quick cannabis question, call the free Leaf411 hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) to speak with a nurse. Consumers who have multiple questions or would like more in-depth information can schedule a guidance session with a licensed cannabis nurse.
Edibles Onset & Duration: Traditional and Fast-Acting Edibles
One last consideration in edible dosing is the onset and duration so you can know what to expect. Traditional edibles take longer to take effect compared to smoking or vaping because they are digested by the liver and metabolized. Onset times can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more. The effects of edibles also tend to last longer, typically lasting 4-8 hours or even more in some cases.
Fast-acting cannabis edibles like DripCees cannabis gummies, work a little differently with your body, so you generally feel the effects sooner than with traditional edibles. This is because fast-acting technology enables cannabinoids to bypass the initial metabolization by the liver, leading to a quicker onset of effects.
The prolonged effect of traditional edibles can be due to a phenomenon called ‘enterohepatic recirculation’, which basically means that the liver keeps releasing THC and its psychoactive metabolites slowly into the bloodstream over a longer period of time.
The Clear’s DripCees Gummies’ fast-acting technology is called Lipid In-vivo Transport (LIT), a special cannabinoid delivery system designed to improve how your body absorbs cannabinoids. LIT also provides a fast-acting experience with a boost to the bioavailability of the cannabinoids.
Cannabis Edibles Dosage Chart
THC per dose | Dose category | What to expect | Edible recommendation |
1 – 2.5mg | Microdose | Non-intoxicating, symptoms may abate without affecting cognition. | Mints, ¼ of DripCees Gummy |
3 – 5mg | Low | Helps with symptoms and sleep, slight intoxication. | Half of a DripCees Gummy, infused drink mixers, infused sweet snacks |
10 – 15mg | Moderate | Ideal dose for experienced users to manage symptoms; new users may feel overwhelmed. | 1 or 1.5 DripCees Gummies, baked goods, savory snacks, some beverages. |
20 – 30mg | High | Recommended for experienced edible consumers only, strong euphoria, impaired coordination, ideal for medical patients. | 2-3 DripCees Gummies, infused chocolate bars. |
50 – 100mg | Acute | An effective dose only for experience users or medical patients looking for relief from intense pain or other symptoms. | 5-10 DripCees Gummies, infused baked goods. |
100 – 500mg | Macrodose | A useful dose for patients with GI issues or other severe medical conditions, intensely intoxicating with adverse effects, consume with caution. | 1-5 bags of DripCees Gummies, Infused shots and sodas. |
Source: Leafly
Bottom Line
Remember, everyone reacts differently to cannabis, so it’s important to find the dosage and consumption method that works best for you. Start with a low dose, be patient, and gradually increase if needed. Responsible and informed consumption is key to enjoying the benefits of cannabis edibles safely.
Find The Clear products here. If you are a purchasing manager for a dispensary interested in carrying The Clear, contact us here. Are you a dispensary owner or larger-scale operator looking to bring The Clear to your state? Contact us here.