Walking into your local dispensary in search for weed gummies should be nothing short of an enjoyable experience. But just like the feeling someone has on their 21st birthday walking into a bar for the first time, the overwhelming wall of choices can be a little much. You’ll be faced with different options of flavors, potencies, and easily drawn to all the yummy package designs. There are even factors like delayed or fast-acting effects, micro-dose gummies or heavy-duty potent gummies, CBD, THC or gummies with a mixture of both. Luckily you are at the right spot to discover the types of weed gummies you’ll find in a dispensary! Plus, your LIV Guest Advisor is more than happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Exploring Differences: Edibles vs Smoking Cannabis

It may sound pretty obvious that eating a 10mg edible hits different than lighting up your favorite strain of flower. It’s the method of action once you consume your cannabis that makes all the difference. While smoking almost instantly enters your bloodstream and works its way to your CB1 receptors in your brain, most edibles travel through your body by digestion and get filtered through your liver before working its way to your brain. This is the reason why edibles take a while to kick in and you are able to enjoy the high for much longer than smoking. 

Exploring cannabis gummy edibles

There are quite a few (but not too many) variations and types of gummy edibles you’ll find in a dispensary. It all comes down to your specific expectations when consuming the weed gummy. As long as your choice of cannabis gummy edibles are made with top-quality, all-natural ingredients, you’re on the right path to experiencing the perfect high. 

Best places to consume cannabis gummies

To each their own when it comes to the best places to consume cannabis gummies. But if you are looking for some good ideas, start here!

• At home: this is probably the more obvious option for places to consume cannabis gummies.
  • Cook up a delicious and scrumptious meal. Follow an online recipe, or let your inner Gordon Ramsey come out. 
  • Have a mini spa day. Get some relaxing candles and slice up a cucumber. You just need some bubbles and your rubber ducky! 
  • If you’re nibbling on some sweet sativa gummy edibles, get to that house project or chore that you’ve been putting off. Pro tip: set a timer for 5-10 minutes and see how much you can accomplish. It’s more than likely that once that time is up, you’ll want to keep going! Mission accomplished.
• With friends: there are times when the whole ‘loner stoner’ vibe isn’t what you’re looking for. Cannabis users or not, it’s still awesome getting stoned and chilling out with your homies.
  • Whip out some board games and have a little bit of nostalgia. Turn it up a notch and pown your noob friends in some video games. 
  • Take an adventure. Whether it’s on a nature trail, strolling through your local thrift store, or getting a little wild and visiting a theme park.
  • Go to a concert. There’s a good chance that you’ll be surrounded by others who are on the same level as you. 

How to choose types of edibles

Classic brownies & baked goods

Pretty much the OG of cannabis edibles. Classic chocolate edibles are the perfect treat, but they are sometimes hard to put down. The significant amount of fat in edibles allows more THC to be metabolized in the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC. This may result in a slower onset of effects (typically taking 90 minutes to two hours) but a more intense high that lasts longer. 

Hard candy

These are your breath mints, and sweet cannabis tarts. These are great for being discreet and experiencing micro-doses. Hard candies are typically sugar or corn syrup-based. Hard candies are perfect to just suck on or slowly chew. As it dissolves, THC and CBD cannabinoids are released, a process called “sublingual absorption”. You will notice the effects gradually and feel the buzz for several hours.  

Cannabis drinks

Researchers and scientists have spent a ton of time developing a method to make THC, which typically binds to fat, soluble in water. However, they have now successfully utilized nano-emulsification to achieve this. Cannabis drinks like the popular infused seltzers are not only deliciously thirst-quenching but are made with all-natural ingredients. They don’t contain alcohol or gluten and are vegan-friendly!

Positive effects of cannabis plant gummies

Experts and scientists worldwide have spent decades researching the positive effects of cannabis plant gummies. All the way from treating cancer to curing your first-day jitters, there are benefits for everyone.

How do SOME weed gummies work?

Surprisingly, weed gummies don’t work in mysterious ways. There is actually a pretty cool science behind it all. Since the weed gummies are being digested, you can relate it to the time it takes for the effects of that spicy burrito you ate for lunch to kick in. During the digestion process, your liver breaks down (metabolizes) the THC and/or CBD into a more potent form (11-hydroxy-THC), before it hits your bloodstream. This process can take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how your body digests and processes the THC. 

How do the effects of edible gummies differ from smoking cannabis?

Aside from the obvious, smoking gives you a quicker onset of effects than edible gummies. The duration of effects also differs. You can be floating for up to 12 hours after eating that gummy, whereas puffing on a joint will have you feeling great for only 2-3 hours. There are also health considerations, mainly the lungs, that make edible gummies more favored for non-smokers. 

Differences between cannabis edibles and flower

New CBD-Derived THC Compounds in Gummies

The difference in chemical makeup among delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC stems from the positioning of a double bond within the common chain of carbon atoms. Delta-8 features this double bond at the eighth carbon atom, delta-9 at the ninth carbon atom, and delta-10 at the 10th carbon atom. These slight variations lead to different levels of psychoactive impacts generated by each substance.

Delta 8 THC

• A less potent and shorter lasting version of Delta 9 THC. 
• You still experience psychoactive affects from the THC.
• Typically included in cannabis gummies along with Delta 9 THC
• Best for: reducing anxiety, pain, stress, and depression

Delta 9 THC

• You can expect that your weed gummies have Delta 9 THC
• It is the primary active compound in cannabis that gets you high.
• Best for: sleeping, nausea, low appetite, glaucoma, pain, and anxiety

Delta 0 THC

• Also known as THC-O-Acetate. Similar to Delta 8 but with a stronger visual component.
• Man-made variation produced by adding acetyl groups to the Delta 9 THC compound naturally occurring in cannabis. 
• Can take longer to feel effects compared to Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC gummies
• Results in a more powerful and almost hallucinogenic effect.
• Often compared to psychedelics, offers a unique visual experience with “trails.”
• Best for: experienced THC gummy users, heavy relaxation or increased energy (what a combo), and anxiety.

HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)

• A cannabinoid similar to THC, yet less intense.
• CBD in a semi-synethic form
• Produced using CBD extracted from low-THC cannabis (hemp). The CBD is infused with additional hydrogen atoms, transforming it into HH
• Goes through a unique chemical process, hydrogenation.
• There is still a lot of much-needed research on the effects and benefits of HHC
• Best for: pain relief, induced euphoria, reducing inflammation, and a good nights sleep.

THC-P (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol)

• Recently discovered in 2019 as a natural cannabinoid that binds to CB1 receptors in the brain stronger than any other cannabinoid
• A highly potent form of THC and close to 33 times more potent than Delta 9 THC.
• You can expect a longer-lasting more psychoactive high.
• Begin with low doses and ensure comfort due to strong effects.
• THC has an alkyl side chain with 5 carbons, while THCP has 7 carbons in its side chain. 
• The additional carbons in THCP make the psychoactive effects of THC stronger and more enduring.
• Best for: medical marijuana patients,  those in search of strong psychoactive effects, and gummy lovers who know how to take it slow.

Extraction methods for CBD gummies

To extract CBD from the cannabis plant, various methods are used. Here are some commonly used techniques:

1. CO2 Extraction: Using carbon dioxide (CO2) under high pressure and low temperatures to extract CBD. The CO2 acts as a solvent which preserves the purity and beneficial compounds of CBD. Once separated from the CO2, the extracted CBD turns into a concentrated form and added to your gummies.
2. Ethanol Extraction: An alcohol used to soak the cannabis plant material to dissolve CBD. This becomes a mixture and undergoes a filtration process to remove any plant matter. Before extracting the CBD concentrate, a process is used to evaporate the ethanol. 
3. Hydrocarbon Extraction: Using solvents like butane or propane to extract the CBD. These solvents are passed through the plant, dissolving the CBD, similar to the ethanol extraction method. The mixture then undergoes a purging process to remove any leftover solvents, leaving behind pure CBD extract
4. Olive Oil Extraction: A traditional method that involves infusing olive oil with CBD. The cannabis plant material is heated in the olive oil dissolving the CBD and resulting in a pure and potent CBD-infused olive oil.
5. Nano-emulsification: A recent development in the cannabis industry. Tiny particles of cannabis oil are combined with an emulsifying agent to enable the THC to mix with water. These minuscule molecules are quickly absorbed by the body through the mouth and stomach lining, resulting in faster effects. Using this method provides better regulation which allows you to have more control over the effects of the edible.

How much THC is in gummies?

When it comes to the types of weed gummies you’ll find in a dispensary, the amount of THC is usually 2.5 – 20mg per serving. Let’s use Wyld Marionberry Gummies 200mg as an example. The first thought is that each gummy has 200mg of THC. This is 100% incorrect. The entire package consists of 200mg and the package comes with 10 edibles that are 20mg per gummy. The suggested serving size is 1⁄2 of 1 gummy, meaning you are consuming 10mg of THC per serving. 

Dosing and gummy labels

THC vs CBD: Understanding ratios in gummies

It’s pretty common to see edible weed gummies that have both THC and CBD. When this is the case, the package will include a ratio of how much THC compared to CBD is in each gummy. For example, Camino Sparkling Pear Gummies | 40mg has a 2:6 ratio, meaning for every 2mg of THC, there is 6mg of CBD. 

Discovering sativa, indica, and hybrid edible gummies

Sativa-infused edible gummies are famous for their ability to uplift and stimulate the mind, making them great for social events or creative activities. They can enhance mood, improve concentration, and provide a boost of energy when needed.

On the contrary, indica edibles are often linked to a calming effect on the entire body. (Indica = In-da-couch) They are ideal for unwinding after a tough day or for a peaceful night’s rest. Many indica edibles contain CBN, a slightly mind-altering compound that can assist in not only falling asleep but also staying asleep.

Hybrid edible gummies are produced using both indica and sativa strains. This creates a distinct combination that captures the calming qualities of indica strains as well as the invigorating advantages of sativa strains.