History of Cannabis Edibles

A cannabis edible is any type of food product that contains cannabinoids such as THC or CBD. It can refer to any type of food that contains these in any concentration. For anyone who has ever wondered where these food products originate, they surprisingly have a long history that dates back to early times.

Edibles In History

The earliest country to start putting cannabis into their foods was the Indian subcontinent. People would prepare a variety of foods and drinks for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Since cannabis extracts are oil-soluble, the Sanskrit recipes that have been recovered actually require the cannabis to be sauteed in ghee before mixing it with other ingredients. Recipes and other references to its use have been found as early as 1,000 BCE by the Hindus. It was traditionally used during the spring festival of Holi.

Since that time, cannabis was often used included in some foods but there was not one standard method of creating edibles until the Toklas Cookbook which was written in the 1950s. Alice Toklas included a recipe in this book for hashish fudge which led to the common inclusion of cannabis in brownies today.

With the development of the internet, there became more interest in edible products, especially in countries and states where cannabis is legal. Space cakes are a popular food item in the Netherlands, for example, while THC Gummies grew in popularity in the United States. Baked goods and Brownies that are cannabis infused may contain varying amounts of cannabis so be careful when consuming homemade items.

In recent years, edible cannabis candies have seen a huge rise in popularity and recently CBD products are all the rage. They can be found in a number of options from jellies, hard candies, gummy worms, gummy bears, sours, fruit snacks and more. These items have been infused with cannabis. Since different manufacturers use varying amounts of THC, it’s important to know what’s in each food product and gauge the right amount of intake for you.

What to Look For in Edibles

Since the quality can vary greatly, it’s a good idea to only purchase from a reputable seller. Areas where cannabis is legal will have  dispensaries with quality brands in stock. This is a great way to get started. The most important thing to look for when buying cannabis edibles is the amount of THC. This is the compound in cannabis that will actually play a role in psychoactive effect or “high.” This is why candies and jellies are a popular choice because you can easily start with a measured amount of THC and even divide a single jelly up to test what the right amount is for the desired effect.

For beginning consumers or people who want to enjoy improved focus without feeling out of control, it’s best to look for a jelly that contain 5-10 mg THC per serving or less and may even start with half a dose. Or they may find it more beneficial to start with a 1:1 THC CBD jelly that has a small amount of both compounds which work synergistically while the CBD tends to counteract the high feeling from the THC. People who have more tolerance can step up to higher dosage of THC. However, it will also provide consumers with a feeling of euphoria and may impair concentration, at least for a while.

Getting Started With Edibles

Now that you have a better understanding of the history and uses of cannabis, then you’re ready to try your own edibles. Purchase your edibles from a credible retailer that sells quality brands clearly state the concentration of THC clearly on the package. Be sure to check the serving size. The THC levels per serving is what you want to go by.

There are many great products available, quality brands such as Mellow Vibes offer a variety of products such as Jellies, Candies, Crispy Treats and Chocolates. Start with a small dose such as a piece of a 10mg Jelly or even half of a 1:1 CBD THC Jelly and give it up to two hours to feel the full effects. Everyone is different so don’t judge by what other experience. Test for yourself and take it slow. Happy Vibing!