If you enjoy the benefits of cannabis but aren’t a fan of the taste or negative side effects of smoking then allow me to introduce you to edibles. Cannabis has been used in food and drinks as early as 1000 BC by Hindus in ancient India. Bhang—a mixture of pulverized weed, clarified butter, milk and spices—is still a popular drink on the Indian subcontinent. Modern cannabis infused edibles began to evolve many years later and can be traced back to 1954 when Alice B. Toklas published a cookbook that included a recipe for hash fudge. Fast forward to the 21st century and the options in any Canadian recreational shop are almost overwhelming: chocolates, soft chews, hard caramels, cookies, truffles and even liquid and powder options.
Eating or drinking cannabis is a very different experience from smoking. It takes longer to kick in, tends to hit harder and can last a decent amount of time (anywhere from 2 to 8 hours). A good rule to remember for any cannabis consumption is “start low, go slow” but we really do mean it when it comes to edibles. I remember my first time with an edible. It was an experience that will forever humble and haunt me. One too many and you might find yourself falling asleep in the front row at a concert you waited (and carefully counted) 300+ days for. Yes, this happened to me. No, I do not recommend it.
Are the options on the Canadian legal market worth it? Health Canada regulations currently limit edibles to a maximum of 10 mg of THC per package. At that potency only the casual consumer will feel much of a psychoactive effect but if you’re someone who’s never tried cannabis and you don’t want to smoke then legal edibles can be the perfect introduction to your journey.
If you’re shopping for an intense psychoactive experience you may as well make your own to be straight up. If you’re shopping for the taste it’s a different story.
CHOCOLATE
When it comes to chocolate one company that has stood out since the moment they hit the market is Legend. They offer a wide range of THC/CBD chocolate flavours including milk, dark, raspberry, orange and even a seasonal crushed candy cane option. Legend uses fair trade and organic ingredients in its products. Their inputs are hydroponically grown in the Kootenay area and the chocolate they use comes from none other than fourth-generation master chocolatier, Bernard Callebaut.
CANDY
Wana is my go to brand whenever I’m in the mood for a soft and sweet treat. They’re an award-winning cannabis company based in the U.S. but they teamed up with Indiva and when I say these soft chews are delicious I mean it: Mango, Japanese Citrus Yuzu, Watermelon, Strawberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Lemonade, Pomegranate, Blueberry Açai: there’s a flavour for any consumer. I hope more LP’s follow in their footsteps by creating products with higher doses of CBD.
LIQUIDS
There are many liquid edible options on the market: so many that I can barely keep up. I’m a big fan of liquid over solid but it’s hard for me to find something I genuinely like the taste of and whose ingredients are at least familiar. One brand that comes to mind every time I speak about liquid options is Deep Space. To me it tastes like an off-brand cherry cola. It’s unique. Some love it, some hate it. Either way, it’s nano-emulsification technology seems to hit fast for most users and has them coming back for another can time and time again.
With such a low THC limit on edibles it’ll be some time before they become an attractive product for consumers or producers, especially when it’s so easy to make them at home. Here’s a little old trick that’s still as good as new. Grab the kief from the bottom of your grinder and decarb it at 350°F for 7 minutes. Sprinkle that magical herb onto a graham cracker with any fatty food (peanut butter, cheese, avocado, etc.) Play with the ingredients or try mixing it into a smoothie or a tea. Oh and don’t forget: start low and go slow.
