A weed gummy is an edible form of cannabis that contains THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. Weed gummies are a great way to medicate with marijuana without having to smoke it.
These gummy edibles can be made at home using cannabis extract from your favourite strain; there are also many pre-made options available for purchase in cannabis dispensaries across Canada.
In this article, we will discuss what weed gummies are, how they work, how to dose them properly, so you don’t overdo it, and some other benefits when compared to smoking marijuana!
Weed gummies are a popular form of weed consumption because it is a discreet way to medicate without having the familiar and very recognizable scent of cannabis clinging to you.
However, there are some noticeable differences in the effects that weed gummies have on your body versus other forms of marijuana intake, such as smoking weed.
What are weed gummies?
Weed gummies are a type of cannabis, or marijuana, that comes in the form of chewy candies.
You can purchase these chewable "gummy" treats at dispensaries and online in Canada, and they're typically made from sugar, gelatin or pectin, and water or fruit juice, among other ingredients.
They also contain THC (the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana), derived from cannabis plants, along with other cannabinoids, terpenes, and ingredients.
How do weed gummies work?
Edible gummies with THC in them are generally taken for the psychoactive effects they produce once ingested.
Weed gummies work by way of the THC that is infused into the gummy. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants responsible for the "high" that users experience when they take it.
The body absorbs THC once it is digested, and it can take effect in as little as 20 minutes, but it may take much longer than that to feel the effects - up to two hours in some cases.
THC acts on the CB1 receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, and by doing so, can produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation as well as a heightened sense of focus.
Since weed gummies are ingested orally instead of smoked or inhaled through the lungs, they have more concentrated amounts of THC than weed that is not consumed in edible form.
Therefore, those who ingest them may experience stronger psychoactive effects, which you may feel over a longer time.
The effects of weed gummies vary depending on their ingredients - some have more CBD than THC for a more mellow experience. In contrast, others might have higher concentrations of THC to produce stronger psychoactive effects.
The difference between THC-infused edibles and CBD-infused edibles
The main difference is that the weed gummy edibles you'll find with THC in them will produce psychoactive effects, and the ones with just CBD in them will not.
Some people may want to avoid the psychoactive effects, instead choosing a weed gummy that is more medicinal and offers less intense effects or no psychoactive effects at all (just CBD).
These will generally have very low amounts of THC in them (0.3% or less) and referred to as CBD gummies.
CBD gummies do not produce any high when you take them. Still, research shows that it is beneficial for a wide range of different conditions - anxiety, depression, chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, epilepsy, and much more.
If you're looking for just the benefits of cannabis without the high, check out this post for information on CBD gummies in Canada.
Cannabis-infused edibles can be consumed by anyone - young or old.
However, beginners trying it for the first time should use caution before consuming gummy edibles (or any other form of cannabis, for that matter) - some might find the effects of THC very overwhelming. More seasoned cannabis users can handle stronger doses!
How to use weed gummies
Weed gummies come in all sorts of different concentrations, flavours, shapes, and sizes.
They are simple to use - settle on an appropriate dose, chew them up and eat them like any other gummy candy.
How long do edible gummies take to kick in?
THC-infused edible gummies can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours before you feel any effects. This is because the product has to go through your digestive system before the THC hits your bloodstream.
It's important, especially for newcomers to edibles, that you give the gummies enough time to kick in before taking any more.
The last thing you want is to start thinking they aren't working, take more, and have your first dose kick in right after.
This can lead to becoming much more intoxicated than you intended and can lead to anxiety, paranoia, or other negative side effects.
How long can you expect the cannabis gummies to last in your system?
You will feel the effects of edible THC for much longer than you would if you had smoked or vaped it; the high from those methods generally only lasts a few hours before slowly dissipating.
Weed gummies last in your system for a lot longer.
An edible high usually lasts from four to eight hours, with some people reporting effects lasting up to 12 hours, with residual effects sometimes felt up to 24 hours later.
So make sure you're ready and willing when it's time for the pot gummies to kick in!
The importance of knowing your tolerance level before consuming any form of cannabis
Knowing your tolerance level and how much cannabis to consume is essential in order to get the desired effect.
The way you react to a substance like cannabis can change depending on how much you're used to having. For example, if your tolerance is high, it takes more of the drug to affect you and vice versa.
This is important information because if you consume too much cannabis that isn't in line with your tolerance level, then there are negative consequences such as paranoia or anxiety attacks.
It's always better to be safe than sorry!
If you're a beginner, start with a small dose of cannabis and wait at least 2 hours before consuming more.
If you find that the effects are not as strong as expected or desired, try taking one more hit off of a joint or inhaling from a bong, for example. With edibles, make sure enough time has passed that you can fully gauge the effects.
Experienced users may want to take two gummies instead of one on their next round because they know what to expect from their bodies and gauge when they need another serving based on their own reactions from past experiences.
Dosage guidelines for edible gummies for beginners, moderate users, and heavy cannabis users
While the dosage for weed gummies and cannabis, in general, will vary depending on the person, body weight, tolerance level and metabolism, etc., there are a few simple guidelines to follow to ensure you're taking a reasonable amount no matter your previous experience.
Dosage for beginners
As a newcomer to cannabis (or even just edibles), you'll want to take it slow.
A good starting point for newbies is taking gummies with 2mg of THC or less in them. If you ended up buying gummies that are 5mg, for example, you could cut these in half.
Start with a single gummy or dose, wait two hours to see how you feel, then take another - only if you feel you need to! If the first one was too much for you, lower your dose on the next go around.
Dosage for moderate users
For moderate cannabis users, you may want to start with a dose of gummies that has a higher milligram content; 5mg - 20mg, for example.
Keep in mind that weed edibles don't work as quickly as smoking cannabis does, so if it's been more than two hours since you took one and there's still no effect, you can take more.
Dosage for heavy users
For seasoned cannabis users, the amount you can take can be much higher, and weed gummies are available anywhere from 30 - 300mg in a single gummy.
Keep in mind that high doses like this can cause serious, unwanted effects like panic attacks, anxiety, and paranoia, among other things; make sure you know how your body will react before attempting much larger doses.
The effects of THC-infused edibles on your body
Thinking about taking some edible gummies and wondering what the effects are going to be? Here are some of what you can expect when ingesting these types of cannabis products.
- Euphoria
- Pain and stress relief
- More relaxed
- Increased appetite
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Paranoia
- The "giggles"
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced nausea
- Impaired judgement
- Partial loss of motor control and coordination
- Reduced depression and/or anxiety, depending on the user
Most of the "negative" side effects of using cannabis come from over-intoxication (using too much at one time). If you find this happening to you, it's a good indicator to go with a lower dose next time.
For some people, it doesn't matter how small of a dose they take, they will still experience anxiety and paranoia.
The benefits of using weed gummies
There are many different benefits to using cannabis edibles, and no, it doesn't all center around getting high.
First off, weed gummies are a way of medicating that doesn't have any harsh effects on your lungs and throat as smoking cannabis does.
Secondly, taking gummies is a much more discreet way of using cannabis - they look just like regular gummies so that no one will be the wiser.
Third, weed gummies don't make you smell like cannabis, which can be very off-putting to some people you may be around.
Besides those benefits, the research behind cannabis being able to treat a wide variety of different ailments is solid, with more emerging all the time.
The THC and other cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp have been proven to help with everything from decreasing seizures, reducing anxiety and depression, relieving MS symptoms, helps with eczema and psoriasis - and this is just scratching the surface of what we've learned about it.
Not bad for a plant that was once seen as highly illegal and immoral.
Types of weed gummies available to buy online
Before you go off and purchase weed gummies in Canada, take a minute to decide on what you want out of them first.
THC gummies
High THC gummies that don't contain significant amounts of any other cannabinoids like CBD are best for those who want a more intense, psychoactive high.
CBD gummies
For a calm, relaxing experience with no psychoactive effects, CBD is the answer for you. Taking these types of gummies will not get you high, but they will help with your pain and anxiety and have a calming effect.
THC/CBD gummies
For a balanced high, go with edible gummies that have a mix of both THC and CBD in them. The CBD helps to balance out the more negative aspects of THC.
These types of gummies are recommended for beginners.
Tips for buying weed gummies online safely
You can buy weed gummies in Canada online or from a local dispensary without a prescription.
If you plan to purchase your edibles online, there are a few tips to know to safely and not be ripped off. Always be aware of scammers when buying online, as there have been numerous pop-up cannabis stores online reported to be scams.
To weed out the scammers, look for a reputable online dispensary that has been around for a while and is well known in the community.
If you have any doubts about information on social media or websites, don't buy from them.
Make sure you're buying only from companies that provide full transparency; this way, you know how your gummies were made, who produced them, where you can contact customer service, what ingredients go into your product, all of which will help determine whether it's something worth purchasing or not.
Final thoughts on weed gummies
We hope this article has helped you explore some of the many benefits and advantages weed gummies have to offer, as well as shed light on a few potential downsides.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to deciding whether or not cannabis edibles are right for you, and it will take some trial and error to find the dose that works best.
Whether you want a long-lasting high without smelling like cannabis, an easy way to medicate without having any paraphernalia around, or just something discreet and easier on the lungs than other forms of marijuana consumption...weed gummy bears might be the perfect thing you're looking for.