A cannabis edible, also known as a cannabis-infused food or simply an edible, is a food item (either homemade or produced commercially) that contains decarboxylated cannabinoids (cannabinoid acids converted to their orally bioactive form) from cannabis extract as an active ingredient. Although edible may refer to either a food or a drink, a cannabis-infused drink may be referred to more specifically as a liquid edible or drinkable. Edibles are one of several methods used to consume cannabis.

Most edibles contain a significant amount of THC, which can induce a wide range of effects, including: heightened sensory perception, relaxation, sleepiness, dizziness, dry mouth, euphoria, depersonalization and/or derealization, hallucinations, paranoia, and decreased or increased anxiety. THC-dominant edibles are consumed for recreational and medical purposes. Some edibles contain a negligible amount of THC and are instead dominant in other cannabinoids, most commonly cannabidiol (CBD). The main characteristic of cannabis edibles is that they take longer to affect users compared to smoked cannabis.

History

Eastern

thumb|[[Bhang eaters from India c. 1790. Bhang is an edible preparation of cannabis native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been used in food and drink as early as 1000 BC by Hindus in ancient India.]]

The earliest mention of cannabis-infused food was as far back as 2000 B.C. in India. Known as one of the oldest cannabis traditions, Bhang – a cannabis infused drink made with yogurt, nuts, spices, rose water – is an official drink of Holi, highly celebrated and revered festivals celebrated by the people of Hindu community in India revering Shiva or Kali. The extraction of cannabinoids was also somewhat known to ancient Indians, with Sanskrit recipes requiring cannabis flower to be sautéed in ghee before mixing it with other ingredients.

Majoun (cannabis jam) is another early type of edible first created by the nomadic Berber tribes of North Africa sometime around the 11th century. The traditional Majoun recipe calls for cannabis extract, datura seeds, honey, nuts, kif (a mixture of kief), and sometimes dates and figs.

The first cannabis edible recipe appeared in the United States in the early 1960s in a cookbook called The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book written by Alice B. Toklas. Since then, many more cannabis cookbooks have been published.

In some U.S. states that have legalized cannabis, edibles have experienced a dramatic rise in sales. Since edibles often look like regular candy, they can be mistakenly eaten by children. Between 2009 and 2015 after cannabis was legalised in Colorado, there was a five-fold increase in the number of children under 10 who were treated in hospital or poison center for exposure to cannabis. Edibles were implicated in over half of these. Variations in dosage and delay in onset of effects (leading to taking of additional doses) also can cause overdose especially in children and inexperienced users. Calls to poison control have dramatically increased since 2008 due to dogs ingesting edibles. In Canada, cannabis-infused food products were legalized in October 2018, but regulatory restrictions and reduced consumer interest may inhibit innovation.

Chemistry

Effects

Ingesting cannabis may produce effects that last longer and can be more intense than inhaling cannabis. Generally, edible cannabis products are digested more slowly than occurs for aerosol products. Such effects may include analgesia, decreased inflammation, decreased spasticity, and anti-seizure effects. Cannabis edibles with CBD can decrease symptoms of psychosis and anxiety. Cannabis edibles may be effective for muscle spasms and pain.

Possible side effects

Some users of cannabis have reported adverse effects, such as confusion, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, and intense psychotic effects. for instance California AB266 requires labeling to include "THC and other cannabinoid amount in milligrams per serving, servings per package, and the THC and other cannabinoid amount in milligrams for the package total", and states have required the recall of incorrectly labeled products. Overdoses can cause behavioral impairments, such as paranoia, impaired mobility, and nausea. In other words, any food that contains butter, oil, milk, or any fatty substance can be turned into an edible. Examples of cannabis-infused foods include baked goods, candy, potato chips, and more.

Happy pizza is a style of pizza in Cambodia which includes cannabis-infused ingredients and has enough THC for psychoactive effects.

Cannabis-infused brownies contain cocoa solids which forms a polysubstance combination.

Drink

thumb|upright|A can of hemp-based energy beverage

A cannabis-infused drink is a drink infused with THC and can be as potent as a cannabis-infused food. Cannabis infused drinks can come in the form of coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol.

List:

  • Bhang
  • Cannabis tea
  • Maltos-Cannabis
  • Pabst Blue Ribbon THC-infused seltzer
Tincture

According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) cannabis tinctures (tincturea) are a type of liquid cannabis extract obtained using ethanol, water, glycerol, propylene glycol and fatty oils as extraction solvents, depending on the type of tincture (and also on the solvent used) it can have a specific mass/volume ratio or a specific therapeutic agents content. Tinctures are potent, alcohol-based cannabis extracts. They are considered edibles as they are meant to be absorbed through the mouth and tongue. Cannabis butter can be added to any baking recipe.

Safety

Physical

The adverse effects on health are most important when it is used in excessive quantities or with heavy frequency. A study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse entitled "Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles" found that heavy, long-term cannabis use appeared to worsen brain development, and psychiatric and heart health.

Psychological

High concentrations of THC have been shown to cause hallucinations, delusions, and anxiety in some people; for most, these symptoms only last as long as that person is intoxicated, but some people can be affected for several days. Children under the age of 5 who ate cannabis edibles is the largest source of marijuana-related calls to poison centers (36% of calls about marijuana product exposures in 2021). Although 65% of calls about a child under 13 who had consumed edibles ultimately involved no or only minor effects, almost 3% involved a child who was experiencing life-threatening symptoms or a similar major effect from consumption of the edibles. In such cases, it is typically the only drug consumed by the child, and is much more likely to result in hospitalization than in teenagers. at least one child has died from eating THC gummies.

See also

  • Brownie Mary
  • Chef Ra
  • Mushroom edible

References

  • Beyond brownies: Cannabis chefs elevate edibles recipes. San Francisco Chronicle. 2018-10-09.