Back in the day, the only kind of 420 edibles you could get your hands on were brownies or cookies imprecisely dosed. These days, the cannabis edibles market is expansive. If you think of a food item there’s almost certainly a cannabis-infused version for sale on a dispensary shelf. Potato chips, trail mix, cookies, gummies, throat lozenges and even cold brewed coffee are all types of Colorado edibles available for you to try.
At The Spot 420, our selection of Colorado edibles brings in all sorts of customers. So the budtenders at our recreational dispensaries in Pueblo, Colorado and our Trinidad, Colorado dispensary field questions about edibles all the time. We decided to put all the information you need on Colorado edibles in one place!
Types of 420 Edibles & How They Differ
Infused Baked Goods, Food Items & Capsules
These are by far the most popular and readily available types of edibles. Think of all the classic weed brownies, cookies, rice krispy treats that you’re used to seeing and some of the newer products on the market, like THC pills.
These types of 420 edibles are digested through the gastrointestinal tract. This form of absorption takes the longest, so you’ll have to wait longer for the effects to kick in. On the bright side, the wait is worth it because the high tends to last longer too (up to eight hours or more).
Tinctures & Hard Candies
This category of edible is really gaining steam. While tinctures have been used for hundreds of years, they are really coming back into vogue. That might be because tinctures and candies or lollipops that are meant to be sucked on hit your system much faster.
These edibles are absorbed into the system via a process called “oral uptake”. That means a few drops of tincture under the tongue make their way straight into the bloodstream and to the brain, completely bypassing the digestive system so you quickly feel the effects. On the other hand, the effects of tinctures and candies tend to only last two to three hours.
Cannabis-Infused Drinks
Cannabis-infused drinks came on the scene a couple years ago and have skyrocketed in popularity. From sodas to cold brew coffee, people are really into these. Perhaps it’s because these are the best of both worlds.
Just like an infused baked good, gummy or pill, marijuana-infused drinks also have to pass through the digestive system. But because it’s a liquid, these canna-drinks move through the system much quicker. That means the effects hit you nearly as fast as a cannabis tincture, but last longer.
Colorado Marijuana Edibles Prices
The price of Colorado edibles can vary pretty significantly. At our recreational dispensaries in Pueblo, Colorado and our Trinidad dispensary, you can purchase a single serving edible for $5-$10, a large pack of gummies for $30-$50, or a chocolate bar for somewhere in between.
Cannabis Edible Dosage
In Colorado, state law requires each dose of cannabis edible to be no more than 10 mg. But feel free to start with an even smaller dose! For beginners, 1-5 mg is a good start. For casual/infrequent consumers, try 5-10 mg. And for experienced consumers, try 10-15 mg.
What Colorado Edible is Best for Beginners?
We’ve all heard the edible horror stories. Someone tries an edible, doesn’t immediately feel the effects so they double down on dose. Don’t be that person! All beginners should start with a microdose and work their way up slowly.
There are plenty of products that are made for microdosing with 2-5 mg per serving instead of 10 mg. These Dixie Relaxing and Awakening Mints have just 5 mg of THC per piece.
In reality, any edible can be made into a microdose. All you have to do is break one serving down into an even smaller piece. The only downside here is it’s hard to know exactly how many milligrams you’re taking.
Cannabis Edibles Side Effects: What to Expect
Depending on the cannabis edible dosage and type, side effects can vary. But you can almost certainly count on more of a body high than the cerebral high you get from smoking cannabis.
But how long do edibles last in your system? And how long will the effects last?
When the body absorbs cannabis through the digestive system (including the stomach and liver) the THC is synthesized into 11-hydroxy-THC. This is much more potent than the delta-9-THC our brains receive when smoking cannabis.
It also takes longer to move through the system, so you’ll feel effects for much longer than if you were smoking. Wait at least thirty minutes for effects to fully set in and expect those effects to last for anywhere from two to eight hours, or even longer if you’ve taken a large dose.
When it comes to how long edibles will stay in your system for drug tests, that can vary based on the dose and frequency with which you eat them. You can read our full blog on the topic here.
What to Do If You’re Too High From Edibles
Firstly, take a deep breath. No one has ever died from a cannabis overdose and you won’t either! But we know that’s like telling your angry girlfriend or boyfriend to calm down during a fight — not exactly helpful. So here’s what you can do.
It might sound counterintuitive, but CBD can help reduce the side effects of too much THC. Keep a 100% CBD tincture or edible nearby in case you need an emergency dose. Then try to sleep it off if you can.
There’s also the peppercorn trick. It’s actually what it sounds like, actually chewing on black peppercorns. Honestly, munching on black peppercorns while too high sounds like a horrible experience. But if you’re desperate, it apparently really works!
If you aren’t sure what kind of Colorado edibles are best for you, The Spot 420 is happy to help. Stop by our Pueblo, Colorado recreational dispensaries or our Trinidad dispensary. We’ll answer all of your questions and show you the best marijuana edibles for sale in Colorado.
