Kenneth Finn, MD
Kenneth Finn, MD, founder and board member of the International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis, Birmingham, Alabama. IASIC1.org
As marijuana legalization continues to roll out, cannabis products are everywhere, including edibles such as cookies, brownies and gummies. Gummies in particular make the marijuana experience seem like child’s play. But there’s a lot you should know before jumping in, warns Ken Finn, MD, one of the founders of the International Academy on the Science and Impacts of Cannabis.
There is a big difference between products containing only cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound in marijuana…and those containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance in pot that causes euphoria. Examples: Products labeled “Delta 9 THC gummies” will make you high…CBD-only products will not.
Many people try THC edibles for conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain and anxiety. But when pressed about THC’s efficacy, these people often report that, rather than suppressing their pain, THC simply allows them to sleep. While sleep is a form of relief, it may not be what you have in mind when you envision taking THC for pain.
There’s still a Wild West aspect to the marijuana market. When state governments make THC gummies legal, they almost always do a poor job of ensuring that what’s in the product is what’s promised on the label. Caution: These products are not carefully regulated drugs backed by clinical trials with precise dosing schedules and ingredient lists. The gummy you’re about to swallow could contain considerably more or less THC than you’ve been promised…along with unacceptably high levels of pesticides and other substances you’d rather not consume.
As research comes in pointing to its potential harms, many experts are beginning to view marijuana less favorably. THC products have been linked to learning problems in children exposed to THC prenatally…psychosis…addiction…and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, in which the drug causes severe vomiting and dehydration. THC has nearly 400 known drug interactions, including interactions with popular over-the-counter meds such as Tylenol and others. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to THC gummies’ side effects.
Unlike with smoking a joint, the THC in gummies enters your bloodstream through your digestive system, so it takes longer for THC to take effect and the effects last longer. Many people have been harmed by taking a gummy, feeling no differently, then quickly taking another, and maybe even another before the effect catches up to them.
If you’re going to try gummies, start with the smallest dose possible. The starting dose of the FDA-approved version of THC (for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients) is 2.5 mg. This would be a reasonable first dose with a gummy as well. Gummies typically are sold in dosages of 10 mg per gummy, but you can cut them in half or even quarters. Wait for an hour or more before taking any more.
Important reminder: Keep your gummies locked away so that nobody—especially children—mistakes them for candy.
