For thousands of years, humans have been using the cannabis plant in many different ways. Recent evidence shows that it first appeared in China, and it has since been introduced all over the world – it may even be one of the oldest crops that humans have continually grown.
Hemp has served a wide array of uses; it has been used to make paper, rope, textiles, food, shoes, pottery and other items. Other medicinal and religious texts also document the plant’s known benefits and effects. It was used to help with gastrointestinal disorders, sleep issues, inflammation, gout, pain, and many other ailments through the years.
Ancient cultures may have also known of its psychoactive properties, as it has been found to have been used in religious ceremonies in many different regions. Evidence has been found showing that cannabis was also smoked for recreational use in ancient times as well.
English borrowed the term “marijuana” from Mexican Spanish, though the word’s origins are unclear before that. Its history and criminalization in the U.S. have been deeply racially charged.
No matter all the new products out there, simply smoking the traditional flower will always be a tried-and-true favorite. After being cultivated, harvested, dried and cured, it is usually smoked directly in a joint, blunt, bowl, pipe, bong, vape or any other contraption that allows the bud to be heated to create a smoke or vapor to inhale.
All tinctures are created by steeping something in alcohol, and used by placing a few drops under your tongue. Cannabis tinctures are no different. There are many blood vessels under the tongue, which can help absorb the tincture. It then moves into your digestive tract and reacts in your body the same as an edible would.
Concentrates typically have a higher potency due to the way they are made. Using a solvent, the regular plant material and the parts of the plant that get you high are separated, leaving behind a highly concentrated compound. This can be used to make other products like wax, shatter and oil.
Edibles are any cannabis-infused products that you can eat or drink, and they can be made either with flower or with concentrates. Typically, the high these create takes longer to kick in than when you smoke flower, but the effects also last longer. There are more products than you can imagine in this category – outside of the traditional brownies, cookies and gummies, there are ice creams, sodas and even restaurants that feature cannabis-infused meals now!
Hash is not new by any means, and has been used throughout history. It is made by heating and compressing the crystals (kief) leftover from the flower after finely grinding it up. It is sticky but breaks apart easily to be smoked by itself or added on top of some flower.
Hash is not new by any means, and has been used throughout history. It is made by heating and compressing the crystals (kief) leftover from the flower after finely grinding it up. It is sticky but breaks apart easily to be smoked by itself or added on top of some flower.
Most users will feel the effects of marijuana when smoked or vaped within seconds or minutes of taking a hit. As always, exact effects will depend on you and your body, as well as the weed you are smoking. The effects will usually only last one to three hours.
If you are being drug tested, the most typical test is a urine test. While THC is not detectable through this test, your body creates metabolites of THC after smoking that the test can pick up on. The more often you smoke, the longer the metabolites will stay in your system and render a positive test result. If you are an occasional smoker, you will probably be clean within three days. Moderate users are looking at a week, while chronic users won’t be clean for between 15 – 30 days after smoking.
Each person experiences THC marijuana edibles differently, depending on many factors. Your physiology, health, and tolerance can all affect how you will feel dosages of edibles. When starting out, always start out with a smaller dose, wait a few hours, and see how you feel to get the best experience from your high. Check out this general guideline to help you decide which dose is right for you.
1.0 – 2.5 mg THC Edibles
This is a great place to start, or for anyone experienced enough to be micro-dosing. People typically report relief from stress and anxiety at this dosage, as well as mild relief from pain. An increase in focus and creativity is also likely.
2.5 – 15 mg THC Edibles
With doses in this range, users report feeling more relief from their symptoms of pain, stress and anxiety, and a feeling of euphoria. However, at a dose this high, your perception and coordination may be slightly impaired. This is a standard recreational dose, and can help people looking to get a restful night’s sleep.
30 – 50 mg THC Edibles
Getting up to this amount, you are going to want to already have a high tolerance and have experimented with edibles before. The euphoria can be strong, but so can the loss of perception and coordination. Some users who are not able to absorb cannabinoids orally as well may also be required to take this high of a dosage just to feel any effects.
50 – 100 mg THC Edibles
This high of a dosage is sometimes prescribed to medical patients with severe health conditions, and can work for recreational users with extremely high tolerances that have been using for a while and know how this type of dosage will affect them. Users report seriously impaired perception and coordination, and sometimes report unpleasant side effects. These can range from nausea and an increased heart rate to pain and panic. Any dose higher than 100 mg is considered an overdose.
