While marijuana edibles are a new phenomenon, the baking industry is already humming with new possibilities. The latest Bake to the Future podcast, sponsored by American Bakers Association, explores this exciting new frontier.
The Ardent FX device uses precision heaters and timed cycles to decarboxylate and infuse foods with THC and CBD. It then cooks and bakes the infused food, making it safe for consumption.
The Future of Edibles
As legal cannabis becomes more widely available, consumers are shifting away from smoking and into edibles. Edibles are becoming more user-friendly and are able to deliver different effects than smoke, including longer lasting relief for conditions like chronic pain and insomnia. These effects are due to the fact that when consumed orally, the THC is absorbed through the liver rather than the lungs. The onset is also slower, which allows the consumer to control their dose better.
Despite these benefits, there are still some concerns associated with edibles such as the possibility of overconsumption. In several studies, including Twitter analysis and focus groups, participants have cited this concern (Charlebois et al., 2018; Giombi et al., 2018; Popova et al., 2017). In addition, edibles can have a delayed onset and therefore be difficult to monitor. This can lead to users taking too many or even overdosing, a potentially dangerous experience that can result in vomiting, seizures, and drowsiness.
To address these concerns, edible manufacturers are making new types of products with more controlled dosages. One company, Defonce Chocolatier, has developed a line of chocolate bars that can be broken into 10-milligram doses, allowing users to start slowly and increase their consumption over time. The company’s founder, Eric Eslao, a former senior producer of iTunes marketing at Apple, hopes that his product will meet potential future regulations on dosing and edible packaging. https://www.buudabomb.com/
Another way to mitigate these risks is to educate people about how edibles work and how to use them safely. Youths in particular have expressed concerns about the harms of smoking and have been found to be more likely to use edibles than those without any prior experience (Johnson et al., 2016). However, a recent study found that young edible users didn’t believe external sources of information about the effects of edibles compared with their own physical reactions. They therefore dismissed the information as irrelevant to their own experiences (Popova et al., 2017).
As the edible market continues to grow, it is important for public health professionals to understand how edibles are used and their potential consequences. This will help them to develop educational material for recreational and medicinal marijuana users, and may also inform the development of new policies on edibles and other cannabis products.
The Medicinal Market
The medicinal market for edibles is a large segment of the cannabis industry, and it’s expected to continue to grow as more medical patients experience the benefits of this therapeutic form of cannabis. A few key factors driving this growth are the increasing availability of marijuana for medicinal purposes, an increase in the number of research trials focusing on the therapeutic effects of cannabis, and a growing understanding of how marijuana can help with a variety of ailments.
Medicinal marijuana edibles offer several advantages over smoking and vaporizing products. For one, they allow the user to control their dose and have a more consistent high, making them better suited for those with medical conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric illnesses. Edibles also have a longer lasting effect than smoking, and they don’t cause the same lung irritation as inhaling smoke.
A wide range of medicinal edibles are available at dispensaries, from hard candies to mints to gummies. Many of these edibles are infused with THC distillate, which means they can deliver the cannabis effects with less flavor than other methods such as infusing whole plants into cooking oil or butter. Other popular medicinal edibles include chocolate bars and lollipops, which deliver fast-acting effects when chewed or placed under the tongue.
It’s important for patients using edibles to educate themselves about the products they buy and how they work. Keeping an open line of communication with your healthcare providers is also essential, especially if you’re combining cannabis use with other medications. This way, your health care team can help you find the right balance and avoid drug interactions.
Whether you’re choosing sweet or savory edibles, it’s always best to start with a low dose. This is because edibles can take up to three hours to kick in, and it’s easy to overdo it. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated before, during, and after eating edibles to prevent dehydration. Also, make sure to read labels carefully and check the THC and CBD levels to ensure you’re getting a product that’s safe for your medical condition.
The Recreational Market
With recreational marijuana sales now underway in several states, the demand for edibles is growing fast. The market for these products is expected to exceed $2 billion by 2022. Edibles are becoming a popular form of cannabis consumption because they are less messy and discreet than smoking. They also provide a range of culinary flavors, and there are many ways to consume them.
Gummies and chocolates are the most popular edible products, accounting for 28 percent and 21 percent of the market respectively. In addition, baked goods such as cookies, brownies, and muffins are also popular. Moreover, there are drink mixes that can be added to seltzers and other beverages, providing a new and unique way to enjoy cannabis.
In addition to the demand from consumers, there is also a significant opportunity for bakers who want to take advantage of this growing industry. But before you start making those marijuana brownies, it’s important to understand how to read the cannabis product labeling so that you know how much THC is in each serving.
When you’re perusing the shelves of your local dispensary, you may notice a dizzying array of cannabis-infused food and drinks. The types of cannabis-infused foods available can vary widely by state and even by retailer. For example, some stores only carry sweets while others have more robust menus that include dishes like burgers and chicken wings.
Consumers are also looking for more sophisticated products that allow them to experience the full effects of cannabis. This is why cannabis producers are introducing a variety of innovative products. This includes everything from gummy bears to infused chocolate to savories like pretzels and potato chips.
Besides these innovations, some bakers are creating their own brands of edibles to create a sense of exclusivity among cannabis consumers. One such brand is Laurie + MaryJane, an award-winning company that has been called “the Martha Stewart of marijuana edibles.”
While there are many opportunities for bakers to capitalize on the growing cannabis industry, it’s essential to keep in mind that the industry still faces a number of challenges. For example, it’s difficult for cannabis entrepreneurs to access capital because they are breaking federal law by operating in a highly regulated and prohibited industry.
The Senior Market
The fastest growing segment of the cannabis market is seniors (ages 50-plus). With a growth rate three times higher than the overall population, this group will demand more of the products and experiences that appeal to them. Edibles are a great way to reach this demographic as they offer an alternative to smoking and are less likely to be inhaled by people with sensitive lungs. The discreet nature of edibles allows them to be used in a variety of settings and activities. Additionally, they eliminate the odor and stigma of smoke and can be consumed without the need for a vaporizer or vape.
Many edibles also work differently than smoked cannabis. The reason is that they can be consumed sublingually or buccally, meaning they are held under the tongue or in the cheek and are absorbed by the membranes of these areas before being swallowed. This delivery method is believed to result in a more rapid and pronounced onset of effects compared to edibles that are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Another challenge with edibles is that the onset and duration of effects can vary considerably from product to product, ranging from 4-12 hours. This can be problematic for new or casual users who may consume more than intended and experience a delayed intoxication (Monte et al, 2015). This can also lead to overdosing, which is the most common cause of emergency room visits related to cannabis use.
With the popularity of edibles increasing, it’s important for consumers to know what they are purchasing and how they should be consuming them. The first step is to understand how much THC is in each edible. This can be found on the packaging of the product and is usually listed in a range of 2.5 mg to 10 mg per serving. The number of servings in each edible is also listed on the packaging, allowing you to determine how much THC is in the entire package.
Another way to make sure you are getting the most out of your edibles is to track your experience over time. This will help you develop your ideal dosage and timing and improve your experience. With proper labeling and education, edibles can become a safe and effective part of your cannabis consumption routine.