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How Strong Is Edible Cannabis?

The cannabis industry is an enormous market, and it's growing. Cannabis-infused food products are becoming increasingly popular because the effects of eating them tend to last longer than smoking or vaporizing cannabis. However, there are still many questions about how much cannabis should be used in cooking, what types of edibles work best, and whether or not they're even safe for consumption.

How Strong Is Edible Cannabis?

What most consumers don't know is that the strength of edibles can vary widely based on how they're made - in fact, some dispensaries are selling products that contain only 10% of the advertised potency! That means you'll end up consuming far more than intended.


How Potent Is Edible Cannabis?

Edibles are most often found at dispensaries or retail shops that sell marijuana-infused products such as gummies, chocolates, cookies, and other baked goods like muffins and cupcakes. The ingredients used in these types of food items depend on the type you purchase and may include cannabutter (butter infused with cannabinoids) or cooking oils that have been infused with THC oil extractions from dried flowers.

By ingesting cannabis via an edible, you absorb the cannabinoids through your stomach instead of your lungs. This delivery method may produce stronger effects than smoking, but it takes longer for them to take effect and can last much longer as well.


This is because eating cannabis-infused foods requires a lot more time for digestion before they make their way throughout our bodies' systems compared to inhaling smoke or vapor from dried flower buds that are consumed by heating up at combustion temperatures.


For this reason alone, knowing how strong an edible product is in comparison to other forms should be taken into consideration when choosing what type of marijuana consumption experience you want with each dosage amount.


In general, one serving size of an average weed brownie will usually contain about 20 grams of THC. However, there are some edibles that will have more than 20mg of THC per serving, which means you should start with just a small piece and see how it affects your body.


Edible cannabis products are made up of many different ingredients in addition to cannabinoids like THC and CBD (cannabidiol). These may include other active compounds from dried flowers or concentrates such as waxes or shatters – especially if they're being used for dabbing – along with food additives that alter the texture, coloration, taste, smell, and absorption rates within edible items.


This is why it's important not only to look out for the amount of marijuana contained inside each individual item but also what else was added to them before determining whether their effects outweigh any negative side effects.


When you're looking at the nutritional labels of edibles, for instance, there may be a warning or disclaimer that tells consumers not to ingest more than one serving in any given time period. This is because when eaten rather than smoked and digested through our stomachs and digestive systems instead of lungs and mucous membranes within the throat and mouth, cannabis products tend to stay in your body much longer.


The psychoactive ingredient THC stays active far longer when it's been processed by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC which produces stronger mind-altering effects when taken excessively such as:

  • anxiety

  • paranoia

  • hallucinations

  • loss of motor control

  • reduced reaction times

  • delusions

  • memory issues


It's In The THC Content

Cannabis potency or strength of cannabis can be determined by THC content. Cannabis has undergone a tremendous rise in popularity over the last few decades, with some research indicating that nearly one-quarter of Americans have tried it at least once.

Although cannabis remains illegal on the federal level and most states still outlaw its use for recreational purposes, many people are finding new uses for this plant as laws become more relaxed. It's also becoming easier to purchase cannabis online.


However, there are still some safety concerns associated with consuming too much of the drug; users who consume too much may experience negative side effects such as anxiety attacks or even hallucinations if they ingest excessive amounts.

In the last decade, there have been a few research projects looking at how cannabis potency has changed since 1996. Studies from both Washington and California indicate that over time, THC levels in marijuana samples have increased significantly as growers find ways to cultivate stronger strains of weed through crossbreeding with potent parent plants.


The average THC content for all marijuana samples was around 14% in 2010, compared to just three percent back in 2003. Some researchers are concerned that these higher doses may lead users into believing they're not intoxicated when they actually are under the influence of too much cannabis.

This can be dangerous if people attempt tasks such as driving while high or other activities which require them to remain alert and aware of their surroundings. Furthermore, some studies show an increased use of cannabis among teenagers who are unaware of its potency.


What Are Examples Of Edible Cannabis?

Cannabis-infused foods are an easy way to consume cannabis. Some of the most popular cannabis edibles include:

  • chocolate

  • brownies

  • cookies

  • gummies

  • drinks like lemonade or soda

  • peanut butter cups with CBD oil

  • coffee drinks

Cannabis edibles are the most popular way to consume medical marijuana. The popularity of cannabis edibles is due in large part to their convenience, but also because they offer a more potent high than other consumption methods. Edible pot can be much stronger than smoking it or vaping it, so use caution when you're deciding how your body will take in this drug.


If you want to try an edible for yourself or just need help understanding why others enjoy them so much, give us a call today! We’ll walk through what makes these products so great and answer any questions about dosages and potency levels that might have come up during your research process.

Are You Looking For Budtenders You Can Really Trust?


Dixon Wellness is on a mission to bring safe, affordable and compassionate access to cannabis to the people of Northern California and beyond. Our products have been lab-tested by independent, state-licensed laboratories so they can be free of any harmful contaminants while ensuring that we keep the cost down for our loyal customers. We are constantly working with credible brands, legacy farmers, and environmentally conscious producers in order to help sustain our community! Dixon’s first and only women-led cannabis resource, we are founded on the pillars of community, compassion, and education. Interested in our products? Check out our online menu or plan your visit today!

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