At Your Discretion Part 1: Making the Most of Your Edible
When it comes to existing in public, cannabis can bring magic to the mundane, and calm to the chaos. It can make special events even more special, especially for those of us with social anxiety. While many may cherish the aromas, rituals, and instantaneous effects of smoking and vaping cannabis, it’s not always the most practical or considerate option. Whether you find yourself in a museum, movie theater, or simply visiting the in-laws, there are options to consume on the low. Read on for our favourite methods and tips for making the most of your high, no matter where you may roam.
If you’re in a more casual setting that’s cannabis-friendly, but not smoking-friendly (aka: pretty much any shared indoor space) infused beverages are a great way to maintain a low, slow buzz akin to the traditional “having a few drinks.”
Shan Shute
Craft your own infused mocktail with water-soluble THC drops or ampules, or just crack open a can of any of the seltzers, sodas, and even ciders available at your local dispensary. A fun upside to these is that they make a great conversation starter at parties! Given the skyrocketing interest in nonalcoholic drinks, your choice may even get some of your non-consuming friends curious and confident enough to dip their toes in.
While drinks are great for smaller, more gradual dosing, the downside to them is just that. Not everyone is always after that slow, measured dose that only leaves a light, warm buzz. When looking for something that has a more pronounced “hit” like smoking or vaping, albeit with a time delay, ingestibles (such as capsules and oils) and edibles used in tandem may be the key.
To those in the know, this may seem like an overblown, even contradictory claim - in Canada, oils and capsules are classified as “ingestible cannabis extracts” and have a THC cap of 1000mg per package, dosed at 10mg per unit (such as a capsule.) Edibles, on the other hand, have a hard cap of 10mg of THC per package, which isn’t a “low” dose per se, but can be quite limiting for the many who require a much higher dosage to feel any pronounced effect.
This means that, unless you’re down to pursue less legal avenues to get higher-dose edibles, (Presenting this option judgment-free, I’m not a cop.) you’re putting down $4-7 or more per 10mg dosage, along with committing to eating a lot of candy of varying quality. It’s not sustainable for any reasonable adult. So much so that it has inspired a House of Commons petition to urge Health Canada to reconsider the 10mg restriction, as it’s currently losing an unknown sum to the illicit market. So while this may not be a Forever Problem, it’s the reality for many.
Shan Shute
Here’s how I make it work:
I always have a jar of 10mg THC capsules on hand that, depending on the brand, hover around $1 per 10mg dosage, without all of the sugar of an edible. I like to use a few capsules to “amp up” the dosage when trying a new standard 10mg edible, or to compliment an edible with minor cannabinoids to round out the experience. While it may appear cumbersome, it can absolutely be as cost-effective and easy as smoking or vaping if you can master the ancient technique known as “planning ahead.”
An example: for a concert, I might take 20mg of THC from capsules, combined with a 3:1 CBG:THC gummy for a combined total dosage of 30:30 CBG:CBD. I’ll usually take these while waiting in line for entry in order for those euphoric notes to hit as the house lights go down for the headliner’s set, keeping my anxiety in big crowds at bay until at least the ride home.
Choosing ingestion over inhalation may feel like a compromise, especially if you’re a regular consumer. But it’s a choice that is appreciated by your lungs and the lungs of others. Sometimes, it’s not even a choice at all (hello air travel!) With a bit of planning and willingness to experiment, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised!
Are you unconvinced, steadfast in your puff habits? Check out the second half of our At Your Discretion series here to discover the best ways to get high on the low.
