Cannabis Edibles Guide for Beginners

It's easy to jump right into edibles with no experience, but usually, this causes novice enthusiasts to make the most common mistake—accidentally eating too much.

If we were in a room of hemp lovers, nearly everyone would raise their hand and admit that they have made this error.

Your first edible experience should offer you everything you were hoping for, which is why we created a beginner’s guide to edibles.

What Are Cannabis Edibles?

Depending on the state and location of purchase, cannabis edibles are foods and beverages infused with marijuana or hemp.

This type of product can be produced commercially or at home, with cannabis being the key ingredient.

When people hear “edibles,” they might imagine an off-tasting brownie that their buddy made, but that isn’t the case anymore.

With the rise in popularity and advancements in infusion methods, a wide selection of hemp-infused products is available, especially since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Today, you can find candies, desserts, cooking oils, drinks, and countless other items infused with hemp in nearly every state.

Do Cannabis Edibles Taste Like Cannabis?

The taste of each product will depend on the edible and the brand.

Some edibles will purposely hold the natural taste of hemp because it contains more terpenes, while others mask the flavor.

For example, our Delta-8 Gummies come in vibrant fruity flavors that have little to no trace of the grassy taste that hemp can leave behind.

On the other hand, our Live Rosin gummies have a preserved terpene profile, which highlights the complex natural taste of hemp.

Either way, there are a variety of edibles that don’t taste like cannabis and some that do.

If you have tried hemp-infused baked goods in the past but didn’t enjoy the taste—swap it out with another product.

Benefits of Cannabis Edibles

There are various reasons why consumers choose edibles over other forms of consumption, yet the main advantage is the experience they offer.

Instead of carrying hemp flower that can leave a trail of scent with you, edibles are nearly scentless.

Because there is no smell and no need for additional tools, edibles can be carried discreetly with you.

Another perk is that enthusiasts can enjoy their love of hemp without having to inhale smoke.

And if you have experience smoking hemp, you know that it can be challenging to measure the amount you are consuming.

Edibles don’t have this issue because they are accurately portioned out, giving you an exact measurement.

When Do Edibles Kick in After You Eat Them?

Edibles offer a different experience due to the time it takes to activate and the long-lasting effects.

Edibles take far longer to kick in than smoking and vaping, though some factors affect the timing.

First, it depends on the amount of THC in the product and where the edibles are broken down and absorbed.

Typically, consuming a large portion will decrease onset time—causing effects much sooner.

Edibles that come in the forms of gum and lollipops kick in faster because it’s being absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth.

This is called sublingual absorption, and when consumed this way, effects may appear faster.

Baked goods and other products consumed, such as gummies, chocolate, or baked goods, usually have longer onset times.

This is because the active ingredients have to be digested and broken down to reach the brain.

Some other factors that can affect the duration of time it takes for effects to begin will include:

• Metabolism
• Weight
• Sex
• Experience

It’s important to note that edibles normally don’t activate quickly, making it easy to assume you need more.

Before consuming additional products, make sure you wait for an adequate duration for the effects to appear.

How  Long Do Edibles Effects Last?

Effects from an edible generally last a couple of hours.

It's nearly impossible to predict the duration of effects with many variables to consider, such as the amount of THC consumed, experience, and your physical makeup.

Among these reasons, it’s important only to consume edibles if you have a free day or after all responsibilities have been met.

Are Edibles More “Potent” Compared to Other Cannabis Products?

When you smoke Delta-8 flower, Delta 8 THC and other cannabinoids will directly enter your lungs.

From there, it will pass through the lungs into the bloodstream until it quickly reaches your brain, and activates the effects.

However, when you consume edibles, the process is far longer.

The edible has to be broken down and go through the digestive system. Then Delta-8 will convert into another compound—11-Hydroxy-Delta-8-THC, which happens to be stronger than THC.

Because of this metabolite, edibles have been known to have stronger, long-lasting effects.

How to Dose Cannabis Edibles?

With advancements in technology and the expansion of the hemp industry, edibles are tastier than ever.

Still, there isn’t an exact edibles serving size, making it easy for beginners to take more than they need.

The best advice—start small and wait for the effects.

If you have a gummy or a bar of chocolate, break it into small pieces.

Remember, adjusting later on is much better than consuming too much and experiencing a ride that you didn’t sign up for.

Can You Overdose Edibles and What Happens If You Do?

You cannot overdose on cannabis in the traditional sense.

After overindulging, it is possible to feel “overwhelmed” or experience intense sensations, but there is very little threat of physical danger.

If you or someone else has consumed more edibles than necessary, the first thing to do is stay calm.

Nearly every enthusiast has been in a similar situation, and their advice would be to keep your mind focused on something else.

Try listening to some music and drawing, sit back and watch a familiar T.V. show, or make your way to the pantry to grab yourself some snacks.

If the effects start to feel uncomfortable and it’s hard to stay occupied, it might be best to take a nap.

Whatever you decide to do, effects are temporary and will dissipate over time.

Best Uses for Cannabis Edibles: Sleep, Energy, Relax, Relief, Etc.

There is nothing wrong with using edibles to give you some relief and help you unwind after a long day.

But we are not doctors and cannot advise you on these products to help with sleep or energy because dealing with these issues could mean you have an underlying health issue.

Before using edibles, reach out to your physician and discuss your concerns.

If they approve you for hemp products, you can try different cannabinoid profiles until you find the right fit for you.

How to Choose Right Edible

Finding the best edibles for beginners starts with choosing a high-quality product.

With various brands to choose from, it can feel like a challenge determining the difference between a high-quality and low-quality product.

But that’s why we made this edibles guide—to make it easy.

What makes one edible better than another?

Lab-testing: It’s common to feel blinded by cute packaging and a persuasive description. However, always make sure that it has been tested. At Hometown Hero, our products are tested at a third-party DEA-certified lab to ensure our customers know exactly what is in their hands.

There is a QR code on each package that sends you directly to the product's certificate of analysis. Here, you can view the cannabinoid profile and verify that it is free of heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.

Ingredients: Buying a cheap product likely means it has cheap ingredients. Not only is there the fear of whether or not it has been lab-tested, but it leaves room for this question—what kind of ingredients did they use?

Hometown Hero products are made with high-quality ingredients to give you a premium product like no other. We only use top-shelf American-grown hemp and keep our gummies gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Positive Customer Reviews: The internet has made it easy for everyone to hear customer feedback. Except, some brands tend to post only the positive response, but not us.

Once again, we believe in allowing our products to speak for themselves. Our current and future customers have full transparency in our ingredients and reviews. Every Hometown Hero product has regularly updated customer feedback, so everyone has the opportunity to see what others have to say.

Learn more > > How To Read COAs

What Do You Feel After Taking Cannabis Edibles?

The effect of hemp will vary from person to person, with each session being different from the next.

That isn’t to say that there aren’t common effects that occur. Some reports of feelings include:

• Euphoria
• Uplifted
• Positive mindset
• Relaxed
• Giggly

Once again, these effects vary due to the degree of experience, amount consumed, and physiology.

However, by taking initiative in creating an environment you can vibe in—you increase the odds of having positive effects.

It is best to try edibles with a trusted group of friends in a safe and familiar setting. Plan ahead, order some pizza, and make it into a fun evening.

If it’s your first time or a friend’s, avoid going into a loud atmosphere with a lot of people. It may feel too overwhelming and could put a damper on the entire experience.

Does Cannabis Edibles Expire?

Using edibles for beginners is an ideal path for those looking to take a dip into the hemp world. But after your first session, you may wonder—when do edibles expire?

Edibles can last a long time if stored correctly.

For example, our Delta 9 gummies come in an airtight bag that can be placed in the cabinet or closet for up to six to nine months.

However, if you’re using our Fruity Rainbow Cereal Bites or other Delta-9 Baked Goods, they can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator after opening.

But if you don’t plan on using them that soon, you can individually wrap each section and place it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Learn more > > How Long Can You Freeze Edibles?

Final Thoughts: Guide to Edibles

We hope that our THC edibles guide has answered all of your questions. But remember, we are hemp enthusiasts who are masters at crafting high-quality hemp products—not doctors.

If you have any questions on whether or not you should use hemp, seek medical advice from your doctor.

Finally, finding the best edible for you starts with trial and error. If you don’t enjoy one, try another until you find the perfect fit.

If our edible guide didn’t cover everything you wanted to know about our products, feel free to browse our online store or reach out to our customer service team.

They are here to assist you with any shipping questions, placing an order, or directing you on the product that will fit your needs.