As sales of legal marijuana increase in Bellingham, and new products are introduced, it is important to know that edible marijuana provides a very different experience -- even for experienced smokers, and the first rule is TAKE IT SLOW.
Infused products can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. Because the effects are slow to manifest, even experienced people have stories to tell about taking too much of the product before allowing the relaxation and effects to arrive.
Eating an overdose of THC can be scary, even for seasoned users. Edible effects can last for up to 12 hours and then consumers wake up feeling normal. Everyone's metabolism is different, as well as weight and fitness. Those new to edibles should begin with 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended dose until they gain a better understanding of their own unique tolerance to edible THC. The most common dose for consumers is 10 mg and up to 25 mg for heavier users.
Many people underestimate the potency of edibles made from marijuana, even when they have indulged before. Every product is different!
Green Leaf, located at 4220 Meridian St., Suite #102, Bellingham, WA is owned by Ken and Susan Linse. Their store has a large variety of both buds and edibles. A recent addition to the world of edibles is the availability of cans of Bud Trim Hybrid. This is the trim off the buds when processing that is subsequently used for making other forms of ingestible items, like this recipe for Mary Jane Butter.
This Peanut Butter Cookie at Green Leaf is a single serving of 10 mg of THC. The label lists the serving size, THC potency, cooking ingredients, allergy warnings and carries the green "Mr. Yuk" face used as warnings to children on other dangerous products. The package is not designed in any way to seem attractive to children.
All package designs that were found attractive or familiar to children were banned in the original implementation rules for Washington State Initiative 502. Pictured to the left are samples provided by the DEA as forbidden.
At Top Shelf at 3863 Hannegan Rd., Bellingham, WA Tom Beckley (owner) stressed his support for the Washington State delay in implementing I-502 and putting child safety ahead of taking a get-to-market quickly approach. "Washington took the time needed to make certain that edible products weren't packaged to attract children," Tom pointed out. "This was prohibited from the start by the WSLCB." There was concern that children can accidentally ingest some kinds of marijuana edibles since so many of them are in the form of sweets, cookies, cakes, candies, etc.
Zack Henifin at Top Shelf was careful to point out that in the 30 mg packages of cookies, each of the three 10 mg cookies was individually wrapped again in another bag to make it very clear that there were three servings in the packet. In addition to the delay of the effects of edibles, it is very easy to overindulge when eating something sweet and tasty.
Many people do not realize eating cannabis edibles is very different from smoking cannabis, and people who are familiar with the effects of alcohol should know that edible THC products work differently from alcohol. The best advice is to go slowly when first trying any marijuana edible and do not mix cannabis with alcohol or other drugs.
The message for all adults is to please be responsible and keep all marijuana edibles out of the reach of children and pets, just as you would medications or alcohol. Educate your children about marijuana.
For the latest rules on edibles production see: Marijuana Edibles In Washington State: The NEW Rules You NEED To Know
