When you hear the word “edibles,” you probably picture a classic gummy or a brownie. While those are popular, the world of cannabis edibles is vast and varied, including everything from seltzers and chocolates to capsules and mints. At their core, edibles are simply food products infused with cannabis cannabinoids like THC. They all work through the same basic pathway: you eat or drink them, and your body digests them. However, the specific type of edible you choose can change how quickly you feel the effects and what the overall experience is like.
Understanding these differences is key to finding the perfect product for you. Whether you’re shopping online from Uxbridge or visiting our Blackstone dispensary in person, the team at DDM Cannabis can help you navigate the options. Let’s take a tour of the modern edibles aisle.
The Science Behind the Edible High: How Do They Work?
Before we explore the different types, it’s helpful to understand what’s happening in your body after you eat an edible. Unlike smoking or vaping, where cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs for a fast-acting high, edibles take a much longer route.
- Ingestion & Digestion: You eat a gummy or drink a seltzer. It travels to your stomach and then your liver.
- First-Pass Metabolism: This is the key step. As your liver processes the THC, it converts it into a different, more powerful compound called 11-hydroxy-THC.
- Entering the Bloodstream: This potent 11-hydroxy-THC then enters your bloodstream and travels to your brain.
Because 11-hydroxy-THC is more potent than the THC you inhale from smoking and can cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively, the high from an edible is often described as deeper, more intense, and much longer-lasting. This entire digestive journey is also why it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to feel the full effects.
Learn More about Cannabis Edibles and Oral Delivery
A Tour of the Edibles Aisle: The Most Common Types
Walk into any of the best recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts and you’ll find an amazing variety. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types and what makes them unique.
Gummies, Chews, and Mints
These are the undisputed champions of the edibles market, and for good reason. They are discreet, have a long shelf life, and most importantly, offer incredibly precise and consistent dosing.
- How They Work: This is the classic edible experience. You chew and swallow, and the cannabis extract is absorbed through your digestive system and metabolized by your liver.
- Why They’re Popular: The simple, familiar format makes them very approachable for beginners and experienced users alike. A single 5mg gummy will be the same today as it is next week.
- Budtender Tip: Our team often tells customers from Bellingham and Milford that gummies are the most reliable starting point. Brands like Coast Cannabis Co. and Kiva’s Camino Sours are known for their delicious flavors and predictable effects.
Shop Our Full Selection of Cannabis Gummies & Chews
Chocolates and Baked Goods
From rich dark chocolate bars to decadent brownies, this category turns your cannabis dose into a delicious dessert.
- How They Work: Similar to gummies, these work through liver metabolism. However, the natural fats in chocolate and butter can act as excellent carriers for cannabinoids like THC, potentially improving how well your body absorbs them.
- What to Know: Be mindful of portioning. A 100mg chocolate bar is meant to be broken into many small pieces, not eaten all at once. Read the packaging carefully to see how much THC is in each square.
Cannabis Beverages (Seltzers, Sodas, and Tonics)
One of the most exciting and fastest-growing categories is infused drinks. These are perfect for social situations where you want an alternative to alcohol.
- How They Work: This is where things get different. Many cannabis drinks are made using nanoemulsion technology. This process breaks the cannabis oil into microscopic particles that can be absorbed more quickly by the body, sometimes starting in the mouth and stomach lining before even reaching the liver.
- The Result: A much faster onset time, often between 15 and 30 minutes. The effects can feel more similar to smoking—a lighter, more “sessionable” high that doesn’t last quite as long as a traditional edible.
Capsules and Pills
For the user who wants pure function over flavor and fun, capsules are the perfect choice.
- How They Work: These are softgels filled with a precise dose of cannabis oil. They offer the most straightforward digestive experience, working exactly like any other pill or supplement you swallow.
- Who They’re For: Anyone seeking consistent, no-fuss dosing. If you want to integrate cannabis into a wellness routine without any sugar, gluten, or other ingredients, capsules are an excellent option.
Tinctures and Sublinguals
Tinctures are often sold alongside edibles but can offer two experiences in one bottle.
- If Swallowed: If you drop a tincture into a drink or just swallow it, it functions exactly like a traditional edible, passing through your liver.
- If Used Sublingually: If you hold the oil under your tongue for 60 seconds, it absorbs directly into the blood vessels there, bypassing the liver for a faster onset of effects (similar to vaping). This versatility makes tinctures a powerful tool for controlling your experience.
Read Our Guide: Cannabis Oil vs. Tincture: What to Know
How to Choose the Right Type of Edible for You
With so many choices, the best edible is the one that fits your goals. Consider what you’re looking for:
- For the Fastest Effects: Choose a cannabis beverage made with nanoemulsion technology.
- For the Most Reliable, Classic High: You can’t go wrong with gummies or chews.
- For a No-Nonsense, Precise Dose: Capsules are your most functional choice.
- For a Decadent Treat: A well-portioned chocolate bar or baked good is perfect.
- For the Most Control and Versatility: A tincture gives you multiple options in one product.
.Learn more with our Edibles Dosing Guide.
Your Edible Journey Starts at DDM Cannabis
No matter your preference, the key to a good experience is starting with a low dose and being patient. From our home base in Uxbridge, we’re proud to offer one of the best edible selections in Massachusetts. Our friendly budtenders are always ready to answer your questions and guide you to the product that’s right for your needs.
Ready to explore? Visit us in person or browse our full live menu online. We look forward to helping you!
Ready for a treat? Explore the DDM Edibles Menu Now!
