There was a time when the word “edible” was easy to understand, but those days are over.
New cannabis edibles have boomed since 2018, when the Farm Bill legalized hemp in the United States. Today, handfuls of products touting previously unknown cannabinoids, like HHC, CBN and CBG, are lining the shelves, each one touting new and different affects.
Keeping them all straight can be complicated, even for people in the know. This is a brief guide to the subtle and not-so-subtle differences among the many types of cannabis edibles.
With so many options, which is the best for you?
Before taking any new edible, be sure to follow the best practices. Start with a small amount and wait at least an hour before trying anymore. Edibles can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes to activate, so it’s best to start with caution.
Delta 8 THC Gummies
Delta 8 gummies function like marijuana edibles, but on a less intense scale. They affect both the body and mind, causing feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and more.
The Delta 8 high is often described as more mellow or mild than a marijuana high. On the potency scale, it’s somewhere between you’ll feel from taking Delta 9 and CBD.
At lower doses, users can expect the same psychoactive experiences of marijuana, minus the side effects. Paranoia and anxiety, which can creep into highs from traditional weed, simply don’t hit with Delta 8. The experience also lacks the mental fogginess that marijuana can bring, leading to a more clear-headed high.
If you’re trying to gauge potency, the rule of thumb is to expect Delta 8 to be about half as powerful as regular Delta 9 THC.
Delta 9 THC and CBD Gummies
Delta 9 THC is exactly what you think. It’s the part of marijuana that gets you high — and it’s legal across the country.
Under the rules enacted by the 2018 Farm Bill, shops can sell hemp products that contain less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight. And that’s exactly what our gummies do. They come in just under the legal limit.
While 0.3% THC might sound like a tiny amount, remember that Delta 9 THC is a powerful molecule. When products have enough weight, the small percentage of THC can be significant.
By delivering 10 mg of Delta 9 THC, our edibles provide enough Delta 9 to produce psychotropic and physical effects. And, because the THC is counter-balanced by a hefty serving of CBD, theirs is virtually no chance for the negative side effects that can accompany THC.
Best of all, these Delta 9 edibles are 50-state legal and available to adults, no medical marijuana card required.
Delta 9 THC has been approved in many states to treat a variety of medical conditions. These Delta 9 and CBD gummies are usually taken for their euphoric effects and to help with physical and mental discomfort.
Delta 10 gummies
Another isomer of D9 THC, Delta 10 THC provides a more cerebral high. These gummies are great for people who enjoy the upbeat, energizing effects of sativa strains or like to use cannabis products during the day.
The heady Delta 10 high is characterized by euphoric feelings and an upbeat feeling of liveliness, but it remains milder than recreational marijuana. Common side effects of marijuana, like paranoia and anxiety, occur far less with Delta 10 gummies, although new users should always start low and go slow.
Delta 10 edibles act like a sativa version of Delta 8 gummies. They’re a great option for legal experiences that are less intense than marijuana.
For advanced consumers, mixing both Delta 8 and Delta 10 can create a truly magical experience.
HHC Gummies
As the newest cannabinoid on the market, HHC generates a lot of interest. HHC, or Hexahydrocannabinol, is a hydrogenated form of Delta 9 THC, which means it has extra hydrogen atoms. The most common comparison is that HHC is the margarine to Delta 9’s butter.
So what does that mean? The close chemical resemblance between HHC and D9 THC means that HHC can provide many of the same sensations that marijuana does. HHC is a psychotropic molecule that causes a high with mental and physical aspects.
It affects are most similar to those of Delta 8 THC. They give users clear-headed highs that bring upbeat moods and relaxed feelings. However, each molecule is chemically distinct, and they affect different people in different ways.
Some users report the HHC experience is far more intense than Delta 8, while others insist it’s similar or less intense. The variety of experiences most likely stems from poor quality versions of HHC that have cropped up on the market recently, so it’s important to check that any HHC edibles you buy are third-party testing to ensure consistently high quality.
But the only way to gauge how powerfully HHC affects you is to try it for yourself. Start with a small amount, wait an hour, then take more.
CBD Gummies
CBD, the cannabinoid that started it all, is still popular and effective. CBD edibles are non-psychoactive products that soared to popularity for the feelings and effects they deliver.
These high-quality edibles deliver all the benefits of CBD in just 20-30 minutes. While they produce no high, they can deliver calming and soothing feelings. Many users take CBD for help with discomfort or to feel fewer negative emotions.
One often overlooked benefit of CBD gummies is its complete lack of side effects. There’s never a concern about taking too much because the worst thing that could happen is a quick nap.
CBN Gummies
CBN is a cannabinoid that has cornered the sleep market. These edibles do not any psychoactive effects, but are come highly recommended by users who enjoy the soothing sensations and sedative sensations they produce.
CBN, or cannabinol, is the natural result of THC breaking down. It happens naturally when THC gets exposed to heat and light. Yet, although it comes from THC, CBN itself is not psychoactive and does not produce a high.
CBG Gummies
CBG or cannabigerol is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Like CBD, it cannot get you high. Also like CBD, it can help produce calming and relaxing feelings or help with discomfort.
But despite the similarities, CBG and CBD are quite different. CBG works directly with the body’s endocannabinoid system, plugging directly into the both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. That means it can help to enhance the experience of taking CBD, allowing you to experience greater soothing sensations.
CBG also mixes well with other cannabinoids. For example, it can help to reduce the potency THC’s psychoactive effects. Combining a CBG gummy with THC can lead to a high that’s clearer and less heady. But they’re also great on their own.
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