This article was written by Chloe Gust
The Meliorist is not and should not be considered medical advice. Please follow consumption guidelines as directed by law and contact your physician or an educated source should you have any further questions.
Though recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada on October 17, 2018, edibles – baked goods or candy with cannabis in them – weren’t legal until October 17, 2019, and you won’t see them on shelves until late January, 2020. THC and CBD infused brownies, cookie dough, and gummy worms will be at any brick and mortar cannabis retailer, and you can find even more selection online.
WAIT! Before you drop this copy of The Meliorist and head to the nearest “Ashton KUSHer” store (not a real store, yet. Name pending copyright) to buy Cheech and Chong Chocolate Chip Cookies, consider these three things before you consume.
One: It is a completely different trip
Legal edibles will be provided by a licensed retailer, so they’ll have the percentages and ratios of THC and CBD clearly labeled. Cannabis consumed by ingestion will be absorbed through your digestive system, whereas cannabis that was inhaled via joint, pipe, bong, or vape enters through the respiratory system, and often much of the smoke is released.
Through edibles you will be consuming 100% of the product, and the high will have a longer onset time, last longer, and will be more intense than inhalation. Even experienced smokers may feel different, in which case it’s always a good idea to have a sober buddy.
Two: Don’t mess with the dose
Everyone knows the story:
“The package said take half of a brownie, I did and didn’t feel anything after an episode of Rick and Morty so I took 3 more brownies and then my roommate’s dog gave me bad real estate advice. 0/10 would not recommend.”
That’s to be expected. On average, edibles take an hour before you notice any effect. Should this experience not be to your satisfaction, please consult with someone who knows what they’re talking about before altering any dosages.
If you do happen to take a little too much, know that nobody has died from consuming too much cannabis, but people have been severely hurt from panicking and acting irresponsibly while high. Don’t stress, sleep it off, and adjust accordingly next time.
Three: This stuff isn’t for everyone
Yes, recreational cannabis is legal, but we still don’t understand exactly what prolonged use of cannabis does to a person. As with all substances that can cause inebriation, and I do know this is a buzzkill, consuming responsibly should be priority number one.
I know you’ve heard it all before. Mixing substances, driving while under the influence, and consuming in excess should be avoided. Don’t consume if you are trying to get pregnant, are currently pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are prone to anxiety, depression, or paranoia, cannabis can worsen your symptoms. Consuming before your brain has a chance to fully develop, at the ripe age of 25, might have an impact on brain growth. I need to reiterate, if only to emphasize that there are a lot of unknowns. Decades of research into cigarettes and alcohol have given us full picture on their negative effects, so keep an eye out for new medical information coming out about the devil’s lettuce.
If you hadn’t gathered by now, The Meliorist isn’t a medical journal, but we understand that students are going to be exposed to substances. If you decide to consume recreationally, please do so responsibly, and maybe go see CATS, it seems like it would be a good fit. What you do is between you, your ganja jube jubes, and Mr. Mistoffelees.
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