CBD Edibles: Everything You Should Know
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Patients who manage their pain and suffering with medical marijuana usually turn to CBD edibles to get the job done. CBD edibles are made by extracting the active cannabinoids out of a high CBD plant by heating it in oil or butter.
After it’s been extracted from the plant, it’s then cooked into a variety of foodstuffs. CBD edibles are preferred by some patients because cannabidiol (CBD) provides highly therapeutic pain management and, when cannabis is ingested, the effects last 2-4 hours longer than smoking or vaping.
Here in this guide we’ll go over everything you need to know about CBD edibles, where to find them, and what types to look for.
What you'll learn in this post:
[Click any of the section titles below to jump there]
- Where Can I Buy CBD Edibles?
- Cannabis CBD vs. Hemp CBD: Buyer Beware
- What’s the Difference Between THC & CBD Edibles?
- THC to CBD Balance Matters
- How Safe Is Buying CBD Edibles?
- Brand Name CBD Edibles
- Dispensary-Made CBD Edibles
- How Much Are CBD Edibles?
- What Are the Best CBD Edibles?
- Additional Info
- Patient Testimonials
Where Can I Buy CBD Edibles?
If you’re trying to buy CBD edibles in the state of California, you’ll need to have your CA medical marijuana recommendation/card before you can legally purchase. Even though CBD doesn’t have any psychotropic effects and won’t get you “high” (that’s caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)), you’ll still need a doctor’s written approval to purchase CBD infused cannabis products.
But don’t worry, getting your doctor’s recommendation is easy, and NuggMD makes it even easier. Use NuggMD’s online evaluation services to get both your medical marijuana recommendation and ID card online in less than 15 minutes!
In California, the only legal place to get any kind of edibles is directly from a dispensary storefront or delivery service. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get products shipped to you by mail from dispensaries, only via courier hand-delivery.
Likewise, CBD edible companies can’t legally sell their products directly to patients; instead, these California companies only sell their products wholesale directly to medical marijuana dispensaries.
But you might be wondering, where can I get the best CBD products? You can use search engines like Google and Weedmaps, or save yourself the trouble and order through the world’s largest online cannabis delivery marketplace, Nugg.
Use this simple online delivery service and have CBD chocolates, CBD candy, CBD gummies, and other CBD infused products quickly delivered to your home address. And, if you’ve used NuggMD to become a legal marijuana patient, you’ll instantly get $20 for your first delivery!
Watch out for anyone or any company claiming to send edibles through standard mail, UPS or FedEx. Not only do you risk getting inferior products, it’s illegal and you could risk prosecution.
Cannabis CBD vs. Hemp CBD: Buyer Beware
There are two different types of CBD, but each isn’t created equal. Cannabis CBD is extracted from CBD rich plant material and is used to treat a variety of medical conditions like epilepsy, depression and inflammation. The key is a balance of high CBD and low THC, or a lower, equal ratio of CBD and THC.
On the other hand, hemp CBD is used in the creation of industrial goods like paper, rope and clothing, and contains an extremely small amount of CBD, not enough to be considered medically beneficial.
Beware of sites like healthyhempoil.com, ushempwholesale.com and buycbd.co that sell hemp CBD edibles claiming healing properties. Remember, these online retailers sell hemp oil seed derived CBD edibles “legally and internationally” that serve no recreational or medicinal purposes.
Not only will these CBD products provide you with no medicinal benefits, the distribution of CBD remains illegal, no matter what form it takes. Companies with access to hemp oil have an agricultural license for maintaining and harvesting hemp crops for industrial purposes. In order to do so, they must have permits and abide by strict regulations.
Unfortunately, the DEA considers all extracts of cannabis to be a Schedule I substance, so you’re much better off going through an established medical marijuana dispensary or delivery service for your high CBD edibles.
What’s the Difference Between THC & CBD Edibles?
THC and CBD are two cannabinoids that work together, have different individual effects, and can be used in different ratios to treat different symptoms. Generally, if you’re using cannabis medicinally, you’ll find most products are high in THC and relatively low in CBD; but that’s not to say each product category doesn’t have its fair share of CBD-dominant products.
THC heals your body while giving you that pleasant, psychoactive “high” feeling, and activates both of the internal cannabinoid receptors found in the body, CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are located throughout the brain, central nervous system, and corresponding organs; CB2 receptors are related to a person’s immune system and located in organs like the spleen and tonsils.
Unlike THC, CBD is a potent healer that won’t get you high, and doesn’t have much bonding affinity to either the CB1 or CB2 receptors. Instead it counteracts the psychotropic effects of THC like anxiety and paranoia by blocking THC at the CB1 receptor, nulling its psychoactive effects.
It also benefits the body’s protective endocannabinoid response by suppressing the enzyme that breaks down one the body’s own cannabinoids, anandamide. The more anandamide, the greater the cannabinoid activation will be.
THC to CBD Balance Matters
Different ratios of the two cannabinoids produce different effective treatments. Charlotte’s Web is a high CBD/low THC strain (20:1 CBD:THC) used for treating seizures; Harlequin (5:2 CBD:THC) is used for chronic pain and anxiety; and ACDC (22:1 CBD:THC) helps treat people suffering from pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, and the negative effects of chemotherapy.
How Safe Is Buying CBD Edibles?
Whether you order edibles online or in-person, the process can be simple, safe, and easy. As long as you make your purchase through a storefront or delivery service, the only thing you have to worry about is the quality and accuracy of your order.
High CBD products are ideal if you’re trying to play it safe, as the high amount of CBD will take away any of THC’s unwanted psychoactive effects. The more CBD you take, the less likely you are to get the munchies, have lapses in memory, become drowsy, or experience anything like being “stoned.”
Brand Name CBD Edibles
Although there are many types of California edibles out there, only a few brand name CBD edibles like Kiva, Sensi Chew, Bhang, Cheeba Chew and their offshoot Green Hornet provide detailed information about their products, making sure that all ingredients are safe for consumption. They’re lab tested and thoroughly reviewed by both doctors and patients.
When looking at CBD edible brand names, be sure to look thoroughly for a list of ingredients, THC:CBD ratio, strength, and do some research on the product before you buy a CBD edible that might be lacking in quality or efficacy.
Dispensary-Made CBD Edibles
If you do come across any dispensary-made edibles, they typically don’t come with much product information, much less the CBD dosage. Not knowing what’s in them doesn’t exactly mean that they’re dangerous, but consuming a product you know nothing about isn’t exactly safe either, and we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
Use personal discretion when making purchases both in-person and online. You should be cautious of products that are personally or carelessly packaged if you’re unfamiliar with the dispensary. If you’re not sure about about the edibles’ quality, don’t make a foolish purchase! You’re better safe than sorry.
How Much Are CBD Edibles?
Just like buying MMJ, the price of CBD chews, lollipops, drops and other CBD candies depends on a slew of individual factors, mostly related to cannabis content ratios and culinary craftsmanship.
For example, Bhang has made a candy-like mint mouth spray and chewing gum for people who want to be discrete, and Venice Cookie Company Brands produces a variety of artisanal vegan edibles, organic, gluten-free, sugar-free, and health-centric CBD edibles alongside their already booming selection, including the sugar-free, vegan CBD Zinger cookie and cane sugar hard candies.
For the most part, you don’t want to spend more than $10 per 100mg of a CBD-infused edible product.
Where can I get CBD edibles? Look into what your local medical marijuana dispensaries offer. You’ll usually find first time patient offers, happy hours, other great deals, and competitive prices for various products. Both dispensary storefronts and delivery services offer all sorts of deals, but placing a delivery order can be a bit more expensive.
What Are the Best CBD Edibles?
The best CBD edibles really depend on what you’re looking for. Some THC:CBD ratios are better for specific medical needs; some might be healthier or more appetizing; and others could simply be out of your price range.
You also might’ve noticed that there isn’t a wide selection of CBD dominant edibles to choose compared to all of those seemingly endless THC dominant goodies. But the good news is their popularity is growing! The most popular brand names on the cannabis market already carry some seriously amazing treats..
The most common CBD edibles are chocolates, cookies, and chewy taffy, but some brands carry specialty products like candies, gums, and even drinks.
Below are some of the most popular brands, along with their current CBD edible selection and estimated dispensary prices:
Bhang
Chocolate
- CBD 50/50 Caramel Chocolate Bar (50mg CBD 50mg THC, $16)
Mint Spray
- Bhang CBD Mint Spray (150mg in bottle/1.25mg per spray, $40)
Chewing Gum
- Bhang CBD Rich Fresh Mint Gum (8 pieces, 10mg cannabis CBD/17mg Hemp oil each, $20-$30)
Cheeba Chews
Taffy
- Pure 80mg CBD Chocolate Taffy (80mg CBD, $20)
- 10mg CBD Chocolate Taffy (10mg CBD, $15)
Day Dreamers
Chocolate
- High CBD Chocolate (90mg CBD:90mg THC, $12)
- Mint High CBD Chocolate (90mg CBD:90mg THC, $12)
Kiva
Chocolate
- Ginger Dark Chocolate Bar (120mg CBD:120mg THC, $34)
- Espresso Dark Chocolate (60mg CBD:60mg THC, $20)
Venice Cookie Company
Teas
- 1:1 CBD Lemon Ginger with Turmeric (25mg CBD:25mg THC, $8)
- CBD Dreamtime PM with Valerian (25mg CBD:25mg THC, $8)
Drinks
- Cannabis Quencher CBD Mango (40mg CBD:40mg THC, $15)
Candy
- Cannabis Quencher Hard Candy (Strawberry and Mango, 5mg CBD:5mg THC, $5)
Cookies
- CBD Churro (50mg CBD:50mg THC, $12)
- CBD Zinger (100mg CBD:15mg THC, $13)
Chocolate
- CBD Dark Chocolate 4.20Bar (120mg CBD:60mg THC, $22)
Whoopi & Maya
Chocolate
- Raw Cacao Spread / Drink Mix (two sizes: 40mg CBD:2mg THC & 80mg CBD:4mg THC, $20-$30)
Additional Info
Bhang is well known for their award winning edibles, with their CBD Mint Spray even taking the #1 spot in SoCal’s 2015 Cannabis Cup.
Day Dreamers and Kiva also make highly acknowledged artisan CBD chocolates, with both of these companies taking home the first place prize for best edibles at the Cannabis Cup at some point or another.
Cheeba Chews pure CBD has been praised by patients suffering from seizures and other chronic conditions.
If you’re looking for a wider variety of products other than chocolates and cookies, Venice Cookie Company Brands has included CBD candies, teas, and drinks to their menu. Browse their site and you’ll notice they also provide several health-centric options, including vegan, sugar-free, and dairy-free edibles.
Whoopi & Maya focus on women’s health, and their Raw Cacao is aimed at soothing everything from migraines to mood swings.
Patient Testimonials
“I smoke the strongest CBD oil I can find, at 60mg, but lately I’ve decided I prefer CBD capsule pills and CBD edibles. The effects are stronger and they last longer than eliquid CBD oil.” –Vivix
“Today I use the edibles available in our dispensaries which are on pretty much any street corner in this state. Each chocolate bar has a dozen pieces I believe and one piece of a high CBD bar gives me many hours of relief and does not make me drowsy or feel stoned.” –Mike
“My mother uses a high percentage CBD strain for her illnesses, she intakes it orally through edibles and tinctures. There is no buzz to it, but the pain relief is incredible. She takes her medicine before going to bed and she wakes up feeling great.” –O.J.P.
Mary’s Medicinals Review: Transdermal Patch, CBD Capsules & More
13 CommentsThis post explores and reviews one of the most revolutionary product-manufacturers in cannabis — Mary’s Medicinals, a company that has pioneered a new form of cannabis consumption.
As you’re probably aware, there are almost as many ways to ingest medical cannabis as there are reasons for ingesting it. But you may not realize there are new cannabis products you put ON your body instead of IN your body, and these delivery methods are making the whole industry take notice.
What you'll learn in this post:
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About Mary’s Medicinals
Starting in 2013, Colorado-based Mary’s Medicinals, a company dedicated to advancing medical marijuana technology, began distributing transdermal patches and topical gel pens that are carefully dosed, beautifully packaged, and highly effective. Today, the entire line of Mary’s Medicinals cannabis products are finally available wherever marijuana is sold legally. Thanks to great cannabis delivery services like Nugg, your THC-infused patch is just a few taps or clicks away!
The best part about Mary’s revolutionary new way to administer marijuana is the head-spinning array of choices. If we’re just talking about transdermal patches (don’t worry, I’ll get to the other exciting products shortly), you can get the 2 “x2” medicated patch in the following varieties: 10mg of CBD , CBN , THC or CBD/THC; and 20mg of indica or sativa.
We put Mary’s new medicated patches to the test below, but first we’ll look at the history of the patch itself. After all, transdermal patches are nothing new. You probably know of nicotine patches used for smoking cessation, but did you realize that transdermal patches have been around since 1979, when the FDA first approved them for administering the drug scopolamine to combat motion sickness? Since then, the patch has delivered everything from birth control to vitamin B12.
In many ways, a medicated adhesive patch is the ideal way to ingest cannabis. Most importantly, it releases the cannabinoids in a constant, controlled manner. This time-release property is a perfect complement to the medicine’s analgesic effects, and it may be the most convenient way to take your medication ever – stick one and done.
Do Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patches Work?
In a word, yes. You will start feeling the effects about 25 minutes after you slap it on. The effects are quite subtle at first, but also very enduring – not 8 to 10 hours like Mary’s website claims, but a solid 4 to 6 hours of extended relief. The THC “high” is as potent as a double-dose cannabutter edible, but lasts longer, and the CBD pain-relieving properties are out of this world.
Mary’s most popular cannabis patches, and the only ones we tested, were the 10 mg. CBD/THC combination patches with a 1:1 ratio, and the 20 mg. THC Sativa patches. They cost about $10 apiece, less in multipacks. The most remarkable effect noticed by everyone in our diverse sample, is the analgesic effect of transdermal CBD on old, forgotten aches and pains you’ve simply accepted and learned to live with. Several of our test patients, who suffer from different ailments helped by cannabis, were surprised to experience an absence of discomfort in joints and muscles that were normally a problem, including this writer!
Both a nagging ache in my shoulder, and a lifelong knee pain simply disappeared. I had suffered for years, and gotten used to the soreness, so it was a pleasant surprise to get some relief I didn’t bargain for. These effects wear off about 4 or 5 hours after applying the patch, but you can then light up a bowl and keep the medicine flowing. Seriously, a joint or a vape pen hit are exquisite after your patch starts to wear off. The 20 mg. THC patch was designed primarily for recreational users, and it will keep you comfortably medicated for half the day. Our test of the Sativa patch proved to be the perfect focus for daytime use, more of a natural pick-me-up – Mary’s non-drowsy formula, if you will.
As expected, a few of our patients inquired about using multiple patches at the same time. According to Mary’s Medicinals’ Chief Scientist Noel Palmer, multiple patches can be applied, including mixing and matching the different types. In fact, Palmer recommends two patches for regular cannabis users or large body types. You can’t O.D. on cannabis, but applying more than two patches is downright wasteful, not to mention expensive. If you prefer uninterrupted low-dosage relief, says Palmer, feel free to cut each patch into four pieces, and apply one quarter at a time.
The patch should be applied anywhere on your body where you see veins below the skin – wrists, ankles, or the top of your foot. They are not any more uncomfortable to remove than a Band-Aid, but if that thought makes you queasy, soak the patch in warm water before removing. Remove any residual adhesive with rubbing alcohol.
Mary’s Medicinals New Products
While this proprietary line of medicinal patches is spreading quickly through the cannabis community, and putting Mary’s Medicinals on the map, the company has a number of equally revolutionary products on the market.
- Transdermal Gel Pen – The Transdermal Pen is like the patch, except you squeeze out 2 mg of either CBD, CBN, THC Sativa or THC Indica gel, which is rubbed into the skin to ease soreness and relieve pain.
- Transdermal Topical Compound – an all-natural analgesic cream containing 100 mg of active cannabinoids, including CBN and THC, which is reported to be the balm-dot-com for stiff muscles and inflammation.
- Cannabinoid Green & Protein Powder Mixes – Mary’s has found a method of encapsulating fresh plant material that retains the nutritional value and active cannabinoids, available in powder form mixed with either whey powder or greens. Maybe the perfect product for those who love combining cannabis with their exercise and workout routines?
- Elite CBD Muscle Freeze – This is Mary’s newest product, a combination of CBD and natural plant extracts for a soothing and cooling cream that eases sore muscles and provides a warm glow you’ll never get with Ben-Gay.
- CBD/CBN Capsules – Mary’s capsules are 100 percent plant-based, vegan, GMO-free, gluten-free and contain no additives or organic volatile impurities. Each container contains 30 5mg. CBD/CBN capsules that are 100% non-psychoactive, meaning they’re intended strictly for medical use and their pain relieving properties.
We did not try the gel pen (or other products for that matter, but we will), but noted that it’s a sophisticated instrument for exact dosing and includes a child-safety feature. Simply rotate the top portion of the pen clockwise to unlock the child safety mechanism, and back the other direction to lock it after dispensing. To dispense, push down on the top of the pen – the tip will dispense 2mg of gel per click – rub this into a veinous area such as your wrist.
If you’re at all curious about exploring these products in more-depth, you should definitely check out the Mary’s Medicinals website, where you can see how the founders are dedicated to natural pain-killing techniques and cutting-edge cannabis medicine. Their slogan, “For us, it’s simply black and white” is reflected in their simple philosophy and in their elegant, old-timey black and white web pages that hark back to 100 years ago.
And if you’re looking to buy any of Mary’s Medicinals products, you can do a simple (but powerful) search in Nugg to find which local dispensaries are currently able to deliver these products to you.
How Do Transdermal Products Compare to Other Cannabis Medications?
It’s impossible to compare. While patches and transdermal gels are a godsend for long trips and a perfect way to time-release your medication, you may miss the sensual experience of inhaling a thick cloud of smoke, or of biting into a delicious brownie.
On the plus side, Mary’s products are delivered directly to the bloodstream avoiding first-pass metabolism by the liver and breakdown by stomach acids. This gives their products an effective dosing of approximately 10 fold over anything else on the market, according to the Mary’s Medicinals website anyways. Many of their patches contain THC which is also the primary active ingredient in cannabis. However, smoking cannabis high in THC results in a sudden “high” that wears off quickly, while Mary’s Patch is designed to deliver a slow and consistent long-term medicinal dosage. Their cannabinoid specific products, such as THCa and CBD, are non-psychotropic, so they are much less like smoking.
Their list of ingredients, as displayed on the packaging, includes carefully extracted Cannabis oil, which is cannabinoid- and terpene-enriched. A proprietary carrier compound delivers the active medicine directly to the bloodstream for maximum efficiency and bioavailability. Plus, all of their patches are made with hypoallergenic silicone backer and are latex-free.
However, a guy who claims to have helped develop the transdermal cannabis patch has been trolling (well, it depends how you see it) medical marijuana boards and offers a little shade. He says the Mary’s patch is not all-natural, and that it contains chemicals in both the patch and the adhesive. Furthermore, he reminds us that ALL transdermal patches come with risks.
Remember that our skin is a fairly effective barrier, but it’s not 100% fool-proof. It’s been protecting our innards for hundreds of thousands of years, and it will never let stuff enter your body without a fight. In order for a transdermal job to do its job, it must include an agent that relaxes the skin to let the medication seep into your bloodstream. Unfortunately, in this relaxed state, the area of skin covered by the patch also lets you take in smog and other environmental toxins intravenously.
Sounds scary, we know, but even the skeptical patch developer considers the patch and transdermal gel pen to be safe. Just be sure to clean the area with alcohol only – don’t use soap – and cover the dab of gel concentrate with a chemically-resistant material, like Teflon sheet.
Patient Testimonials
“This works better than any medicine I’ve tried for my fibromyalgia, and it’s also helping my chronic anxiety. It’s pretty incredible” — Ron, 65
CBD & THC have been known to help shrink tumors. I know that’s what happened to me. These patches saved my life.” –Steven, 38
“I’ve been enduring chronic neurogenic pain for many, many years. I tried some of your patches and they really worked. Better than morphine, methadone, anything.” –Kelly, 45
And the Winner Is…
Mary’s Medicinals innovative topical and transdermal products have won many awards, including the Cannabis Business Awards 2014 Invention of the Year and Best New Product at the prestigious High Times Cannabis Cup. We couldn’t agree more – transdermal products with precise dosing and maximum effectiveness are here to stay.
You can decide for yourself, because Mary’s Medicinals products are currently on the shelves of your favorite dispensary. Or you can simply visit Getnugg.com, the GrubHub of medical marijuana delivery services, and have Mary’s convenient patches, creams and powders at your door in about an hour. Nugg delivery is now available in over 60 California cities, and provides online research and thousands of products from local cannabis dispensaries, with 24/7 customer service and no cost to you. Register below for free home delivery.
Transdermal ingestion of cannabinoids may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in this instant-gratification world of potent concentrates and red-hot dab hits, Mary’s Medicinals’ transdermal marijuana patch is certainly a welcome relief.
