Marijuana is basically the dried seeds, flowers, stems, and leaves of the cannabis indica or cannabis sativa plants. This drug is used by several people for either the treatment of health conditions or for recreational purposes.
Cannabis is consumed in many ways including vaping and smoking. However, not everyone likes the idea of smoking cannabis which is why some people prefer ingesting cannabis by eating it.
Can Weed Be Eaten?
Marijuana can be eaten as it has been for several centuries. Weed has been mixed into foods and drinks for consumption for thousands of years. In India and China, it was used for pleasure and euphoria as well as for the treatment of chronic pain, digestive discomfort, and stress relief.
Take for instance, bhang which is a popular beverage in northern India. Bhang has been consumed for years now and sometimes it is also taken as a sweet. In America as well, weed has been consumed as an edible since the 1960s.
Today as well, marijuana comes as part of edible treats such as gummies, candies, chocolates, capsules, oils, teas, and more. Some people also mix weed into their baked items and other foods.
Can Weed Be Consumed Raw?
Marijuana can also be consumed raw however, the effects of raw marijuana and marijuana products differ. This is because marijuana in products goes through a process known as decarboxylation for the activation of THCA and CBDA into THC and CBD.
Therefore, weed that has not been heated doesn’t have the same effects as that which has been. While eating raw cannabis can prove to be beneficial for health in some ways owing to the fact that the plant contains several different cannabinoids, but its effects are unclear as not much research has been done in this area.
Picking The Right Edibles For Yourself
Depending on what sort of foods you enjoy, you can determine which cannabis edible you should go for. If you have a sweet tooth, you may enjoy cannabis candies or chocolates. If you’re more of a tea person, you can consume cannabis tea.
What’s important is that you consume marijuana in the right dose. The effects of edibles take a while to show. First timers are recommended to start with less dosage and then take it up if they think there’s a space and need for it. In this regard, read the label of the edible that you are taking for consuming the right dose. Know that effects can take up to an hour to kick in.
Benefits and risks
There are many health benefits that cannabis can provide ranging from pain relief to anxiety reduction. It also helps with the treatment of some physical and neurological conditions. However, cannabis edibles can also have side effects.
Though rare, marijuana can cause psychosis, confusion, hallucinations, and sedation. These edibles mustn’t be consumed with alcohol, antidepressants, blood thinners, and some other such medications. It is best to choose premium quality products from reliable companies that ensure safe composition and formulation.
