Despite what sensationalist propaganda like “Reefer Madness” would have you believe, marijuana has many medicinal benefits. From senior citizens with glaucoma to cancer patients who cannot keep food down, to veterans with missing limbs and/or PTSD, people from all walks of life are deciding to use herbal medicine to help them through life. While there are many ways to enjoy cannabis, edibles, and traditional flower are some of the most common.
**Disclaimer: The following information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor and budtender before making adjustments to your medical marijuana use**
Edibles are derived from flowers, and depending on how the THC and CBD were extracted, the intensity of their effects, the time it takes to feel those effects, and how much you need to take all play a role in how your body reacts to cannabis. With an average of 30-60 minutes, until the effects are felt, many feel that they take too long to be useful. Especially when the average “dose” in many medicinal communities is 10 milligrams.
Flower is the building block from which all cannabis products are derived. Edibles, vapes, and THC-infused lotions (among many other products) all get their effects thanks to marijuana flower. Most commonly smoked in a bowl or a joint, the impacts are felt within minutes. This makes appropriate dosing to get the desired medical relief incredibly easy, and it prevents getting too medicated without warning.
The decision about edibles versus flower honestly comes down to a few simple questions.
• Are you comfortable inhaling smoke?
• Do you need to be discreet? Edibles can be incredibly useful for a day at an amusement park.
• How soon do you need relief?
• Does the smell or taste of either way bother you?
Taking time to discuss your needs with your medical marijuana-recommending doctor and your budtender is a great way to ensure you get the relief you need. Remember, these people are there to help you in a way that “average” American medicine has failed you. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and more people are using it than you could possibly imagine.
