Edibles 101
Did you know that you can eat your (cannabis) ‘greens’, as well as smoke them? Edible cannabis products (‘edibles’) became legal in October 2019 and we now sell a variety of ingestible products, from cookies and chocolates to chews and beverages. All of our edible products contain activated cannabis that doesn’t need to be combusted or heated before you consume it. Here’s our bite-sized guide to legal edible cannabis products.
What do cannabis edibles taste like?
Edibles contain cannabinoids, such as the intoxicating THC and non-intoxicating CBD, but these are usually in a distilled format so there is not much of a ‘cannabis’ taste or aroma. Some Licensed Producers (LPs) of chocolate edibles work with master chocolatiers to create various flavours, from milk and dark chocolate to salted caramel, peppermint, chai, and truffle options. Gummies tend to be flavoured with fruit juice and may have a slight herbal aftertaste, depending on your individual palate.
Some products contain a vegetable-based gelatin, meaning that they are suitable for vegans and will be noted as such in their description, but always check the ingredients label online or on your edible product for a full list of allergens and other contents.
How potent are edibles?
Take a look at our selection to see how much THC or CBD each edible contains—this information can be found on product pages online, on product packaging, and on the price labels in-store. Edible cannabis products can legally contain up to 10mg of THC per package and there is no limit on CBD content. Some edibles may divide the 10mg of THC equally among multiple pieces, such as a pack of five 2mg THC gummies, or a chocolate bar that can be broken down into four 2.5mg pieces. Other edibles contain 10mg of THC in one piece. Read the label carefully to find out how much THC is in the total package (up to 10mg total) and how much is in each piece.
As with any cannabis product, it’s important to start low and go slow. Health Canada suggests that people who are new to consuming cannabis edibles start with no more than 2.5mg of THC and wait several hours to feel the effects before consuming more.
How long does it take to feel effects?
While most edible cannabis may be felt within 30 minutes to two hours, it can take up to four hours for the full effects to be felt. Even experienced consumers of dried flower and other inhalable forms of cannabis may find that edibles affect them in a different way. This is due to the way that the body processes THC when it is ingested, turning it into a stronger form called 11-hydroxy-THC.
How many edibles can I buy?
Cannabis edibles count towards the 30g limit of cannabis products that you can legally possess in public or buy in one transaction from BC Cannabis Stores. Each product has an ‘equivalency factor’ to fresh cannabis that is counted towards the 30g limit. Your online shopping cart will automatically tell you when you surpass this limit and, in-store, cannabis consultants can help you stay within the legal public possession limit. Refer to individual product labels and product pages on our website for more information about equivalency factors.
How do I store edibles?
All of our edible products are shelf-stable, which means that they do not need to be refrigerated, although it’s advisable to keep them in a cool, dry place. It’s essential to make sure that they are kept securely and safely stored away from anywhere that pets or anyone under the age of 19 may be able to access.
As with any cannabis product, it’s important to start low and go slow when consuming cannabis-infused edibles. Consult a medical professional if you have any health concerns about consuming cannabis and be sure to read the label of each product as ingredients and potencies vary.
