The quickest way to someone’s heart (without a sword 😅) is through the stomach – and edibles are a sure fire way to get into our good graces. Hash has always had a special place in my heart – even if hash helped me discover a new meaning to “heartburn” back in High School.This comprehensive guide will help you on your trip to explore cannabis edibles – we’re gonna give you the skinny on potency, discuss the safety and give you a run down on a few of the best edibles available in Ontario.
About Ontario Edibles
Edibles that you purchase in provincially licensed cannabis retailers in Ontario abide by several legal regulations:
– Only people over 19 years old can enter a cannabis retail location (and thus, purchase cannabis);
– Valid Proof of Identity is needed when making a purchase if you look younger than 25
– Packaging must be opaque and plain and clearly indicate the federal THC symbol
– Edibles should not be attractive to minors
– Another major aspect of cannabis edibles sold in our stores is the maximum THC amounts within a cannabis package
Dosage: Let’s talk Pot-ency
Whenever people think about having a weed gummy, their first thought is usually:
“How will this affect me?”
Edibles you’ll pick up at any of our Stok’d locations have a maximum of 10 mg of THC per package. There’s no maximum to the other cannabinoids, like CBD, CBN or CBG. But how does 10mg of THC compare to, say, a joint? Here’s where it gets fun. You see, the math isn’t straightforward.
What’s 10mg anyways?
Let’s look at the numbers first. While lab results will return a percentage of THC per gram, the actual concentration of cannabinoids within a plant is different from leaf to leaf. The average on packages is exactly that: an average, estimated by gathering several nugs from a variety of plants.
That being said, if 1 g of dried cannabis flower is labelled at 30% THC, then 0.30g will be THC. So a “dog walker” joint (average weight of 0.3g of dried flower) will contain 10mg of THC. This method of calculation also implies that you’re hotboxing a room and you’re not losing any of the THC to the air around you. On the other hand you know exactly how much you’re consuming when you’re eating an edible in Ontario. The edibles dosing is consistent.
Distillate, Concentrate or Hash based?
Buy soft caramel chocolate edibles
Another thing to consider is whether the edible in question is full spectrum or not. Many concentrate-based infused edibles are made from distillate – in other words, the pure THC extracted from cannabis matter. Since distillate is easy to manipulate, it can be transformed into tiny droplets and made to be water soluble. It has a quicker onset time than full spectrum products – the molecules’ endpoints are exposed after all. Since the molecules are tiny, they’re also easier to digest. In turn, this impacts how long the effects take to peak and taper off.
On the other hand, edibles infused with hash, rosin or other full spectrum sources yield the best results when they’re combined with medium-chain triglycerides (were you wondering what MCT oil meant in those ingredients?) like coconut oil. That’s because in that format, THC is fat soluble and not water soluble. In order for your body to process it, you need a little bit of added fats. Because fats naturally take longer for your body to process, the effects of the edible naturally take longer to peak and thus, also longer to taper off.
How do edibles compare to a joint?
Well, they don’t, really. When cannabis is smoked, the cannabinoids go into the lungs, the bloodstream and then the brain. When it’s eaten or drunk, it goes through the liver before hitting the vascular system. This yields a high that lasts longer and affects your mind and body differently. One thing about edibles is that they tend to last 3-6 hours whereas a joint may only affect someone for a couple of hours. Another difference is that for some people even a few mg of THC can make them feel high for hours or even a day or two! All this to say, be respectful of the edible. Even if you smoke joints or vape cannabis, it’s always a good idea to start low and go slow.
Best tips for the best trips
The most important thing to remember is that it will take longer for ingested full spectrum cannabis to take full effect – anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours before you start to feel the effects. Always remember to start low – go slow! Instead of having a second edible after fifteen minutes of “not feeling anything,” have a hit from a bong or a quick puff from a one-hitter: the best and safest trips are the ones where you feel comfortable.
Set and setting
Less like this ⬆️
More like this ⬇️
Photo by Haley Powers on Unsplash
Preparing a place that’s comfortable, safe and full of fun distractions will go a long way to making sure your edible experience is pleasant. Depending on season, blankets, comfy clothes, music, art supplies, etc. It is always a good idea to let a friend or family member know you’re taking edibles in case you need to “phone a friend” at any point. While you’re free to venture out from your little edible corner you can always return here if feelings or sensations get intense.
The outdoors can be your friend
Photo by Josephine Baran on Unsplash
If you’re looking to level up your experience, go for a walk, bring some trail mix and stay hydrated. The endorphins that the food and exercise will stir up will work wonders all around, and staying hydrated will keep pasty mouths at bay. Talking to strangers might not be in the cards depending on your dosage and tolerance level. The buddy system is highly effective in these situations.
How can you tell if the edibles kicked in?
The effects will be different for everyone – particularly if you’re taking steps like drinking water to avoid pasty mouth effects. Here are a few other hints your rocket may have taken off:
- Heightened Sensory Perception: You might notice colours seem more vivid; sounds become sharper; or textures feel more pronounced – if you have munchies, it’s likely due to sensory perception kicking up a notch.
- Time dilation: Time may seem to pass more slowly or quickly than usual.
- Giggling at bad jokes: A noticeable improvement in mood, including feelings of happiness or euphoria, can indicate that the edible has taken effect.
How to recover from edibles
Feeling overwhelmed? Here are a few tricks to help you out:
- Remember that the effects will pass – a good nap might be a great idea
- Have some CBD: CBD helps your body in a variety of ways, including reduction of excitability
Meditate - Watch a comfort movie (best to line up a few in advance)
- Have a conversation with a good friend about happy topics. (Always tell someone before you go on a intense edible journey)
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
- Once you feel relaxed, your body should naturally fall asleep.
Can you travel with legal edibles in Canada?
If you’re travelling within Canada, you can bring legal and homemade edibles along for the ride – whether you’re on a train, on a plane (or in the rain). We recommend keeping them in your carry-on. However, we must caution that your edibles are not welcome in the United States or on any international flight, this includes all cannabis products. Yes even CBD products including topicals. 😤
Stok’d Edible Spotlight
Through both customer and staff feedback we’ve compiled a list of the top edibles in the Canadian legal market.
Going for a Gummy? Go for Glenn’s
There’s a lot of reasons to love Glenn’s. They’re from the legacy market, where they spent several years perfecting their process and bringing in their flavour A-Game. Plus, they’re gorgeous. The rippling — reminiscent of nostalgic candy — gives the flavours room to play, while the texture is firm not mushy. While some of their flavours are seasonal like the Rocket Popsicle Flavour — grab ‘em while you can! — others, like the Strawberry Watermelon are available all year long. And we go back to them time and time again.
Strawberry Watermelon Tasting and pairing notes:
Sweet! Bright! POTENT. Warning: this gummy is not for new consumers: don’t be shy to cut this in half or quarters. A deeply dank flavour paired with poppin’ watermelon and sweet strawberry. Chase with a mint iced tea to balance out the flavour in your palate; alternatively you can try it with some salty trail mix.
In a package: 1 x 10mg THC gummy
Prefer spheres over squares? Pearls Edibles has got you covered
USA packaging pictured here
Have you met Grön? In the United States, their line up is drool-worthy. Their foray into Canada presents four distinct flavours with unique cannabinoid profiles. Read: you get to customise your experience. With carefully crafted ratios of CBD, CBG, CBN, and THC, you can pick a Pearls Edible to suit any occasion. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend adventure, savouring a sunset gathering with friends, or simply unwinding at home, Pearls complement every moment perfectly.
Sweet Lemonade dreams are made of this
These gummies contain virtually no THC. Instead, the main cannabinoid is CBN – Cannabinol – the degraded form of THC. The indica edible effects also known as “couch lock” are more strongly associated to CBN and not THC. As a result, one Lemonade Dream pearl 30 minutes before bedtime happens to be the optimal way to enjoy it. They’re so tasty that they pair best with a sip of water.
In a package: 25×10 CBN mg; 0.04mg THC per Pearl
Choosing chocolate? Dive (Rosin) Heads first
Rosin Heads trusts in hash, and we trust them when they say they match the cannabis’ flavours to the chocolate that will be enjoyed as its vehicle. Each product has a hash rosin that’s derived from a single cultivar. The flavour profile and terpenes are carefully combined with the top grade ingredients. The result? Delicious and decadent treats that are flavour forward and are reliably dosed.
While Rosin Heads has developed a sweet suite of products, they first grabbed our attention with their chocolates.
About the Raspberry Hash Rosin Peanut Butter Cup:
No matter how jelly Reese would get, they could never compare. Rosin Heads bring together artisanal grade berry purée with rich peanut butter, encased in a jewel-like chocolate coating imprinted with an intricate hamsa. And it’s always going to look perfect because it’s packaged in the cutest little protective pop top container (with a huge THC logo on it!). This product will leave Reese’s in pieces.
In a package: 1×10 mg THC truffle
Let’s talk about Rosin Heads Hash Rosin Drops:
Drop it even if it aint’ hot! These totally-not-edibles are the PERFECT, cost efficient way to create your own home-made edibles that won’t leave you greening out. No seriously: the biggest challenge with homemade edibles is that dosing revolves around a lot of guesstimations. These drops have no sugar, no sodium, no cholesterol: only 5mg of single-cultivar derived hash rosin. Mix with high fat products, like natural peanut butter (the honey roasted fresh peanut butter at Bulk Barn is great for this), mayonnaise or full fat yoghurt.
In a package: 50x5mg THC drops
Check out your closest Stok’d dispensary!
Whether you’re drawn to the delectable treats because of the plethora of flavours or the long-lasting effects, hash based edibles provide a convenient and discreet way to indulge. From decadent chocolates to tasty drinks, the options are as diverse as they are delicious. So why not explore the wide array of weed hash-based edibles available in Ontario by heading over to your nearest Stok’d location?