CBD-Infused Foods: Health Benefits Galore in Cocktails, Dishes and More

cannabis CBD edibles foods

Where Can I Get CBD-infused foods?  |  How Can I Make Them?

What is CBD oil?  Are CBD-infused foods safe to eat? 

CBD oil is a therapeutic oil commonly produced from the cannabis plant.  Without getting too technical, cannabis yields two main active chemical compounds (a.k.a. cannabinoids): THC and CBD.

  1. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) = the most well-known chemical compound produced by cannabis that causes hallucinogenic effects; this is what gets you high
  2. CBD  (cannabidiol) = the second most well-known chemical compound derived from cannabis that won’t get you high or “stoned” (certain non-cannabis plants also contain CBD); this is used to treat a host of medical issues including anxiety, epileptic seizures, inflammation, etc.

Marijuiana is a cannabis plant with high THC (5-35%).  Hemp is a cannabis plant with low THC (<0.3%).

CBD oil and CBD-infused foods are safe to ingest. The CBD oil itself even comes in all kinds of flavors from strawberry to root beer.  It’s a featured ingredient in many edibles (i.e. any food infused with cannabis).  It can provide significant health benefits due to its anti-anxiety, anti-seizure, anti-inflammation and anti-psychotic properties.

Are CBD edibles the same as weed edibles?  Will they give me the munchies?

CBD edibles and other CBD-infused foods primarily contain CBD and have little to no THC.  This means they won’t give you the mind-altering, hunger-inducing side effects that are usually associated with weed, which is high in THC.  Although CBD won’t give you the munchies, be aware that some edibles contain a mix of both CBD and THC.  So, if you want to avoid getting high or getting hungry, double check the CBD and THC content.

Weed edibles (a.k.a. cannabis-infused edibles, cannabis edibles, marijuana edibles, THC edibles, pot edibles, ganja edibles, etc.), on the other hand, primarily contain THC.  It is what people usually mean when they simply say “edibles.”  The effects of ingesting weed edibles are longer and stronger than smoking marijuana due to the difference in the metabolic processes.  Unlike smoking, which causes the THC to travel directly to the brain, edibles force the THC to pass through the stomach and liver.  As a result, it takes time to kick in (usually 30 mins – 2 hours), but effects can last several hours…This is why many medical marijuana patients tend to lean towards marijuana edibles versus smoking marijuana.

Tip: Don’t eat weed edibles on an empty stomach.  Otherwise, you may experience feelings of paranoia or anxiety likely “due to the relatively low absorption of CBD compared to THC when you haven’t eaten.”

How long does it take for CBD oil to work?

The length of time it takes for CBD oil to work depends on various factors including the potency and method of use.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to feel the effects of cbd oil, your best bet is to use a vaporizer or vape pen.  Within minutes, the CBD oil will enter the bloodstream and can be felt.  Remember, CBD vape oil cannot get you high because CBD itself is a non-psychoactive compound.  However, the effects of vaping CBD oil will usually only last 2-3 hours.  (Please be fully aware that vaping is not without hazards.)

If taking CBD oil orally, specifically sublingually (under the tongue), it can take about half an hour to kick in.  It will also last a bit longer—typically around 4 hours.

CBD edibles will usually (along with topical use, like a lotion) take about half an hour to an hour to work.  This depends on how quickly your body type and digestive system absorbs the ingredients.  Those who eat CBD edibles on an empty stomach will feel the CBD work faster.  The effects from this method often lasts the longest, for about 4-6 hours.

What kinds of CBD edibles and weed edibles are there?

There are many different types of publicly-available edibles that are infused with CBD and/or THC.  These include: brownies, cookies, chocolates, taffy, hard candies, macaroons, lollipops, popsicles, ice cream, dried fruits, beef jerky, nuts, pizza sauce, juices and much more.  Essentially, any type of food can be converted into an edible by infusing it with CBD or THC—the sky’s the limit. Besides the obvious baked goods like brownies and cookies, some popular CBD edibles include: CBD gummies, CBD chocolate bars, CBD taffy.  CBD juices and CBD water are also becoming more widespread.  In addition, popular weed edibles include: cannabis caramels, cannabis macarons, weed jerky, and cannabis kombucha (cannbucha).

Wait, are CBD oil and CBD edibles even legal?  What about weed edibles?

CBD oil and CBD edibles are legal in every state as long as it has less than 0.3-5% THC content, depending on the state.  As of 2019, only Idaho, Nebraska and South Dakota have restrictions on CBD.

Weed edibles, on the other hand, are legal for medical and/or recreational use in the states listed below.

Throughout most of modern history, cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana, pot, weed, ganja, grass, reefer, etc.) has been labeled an illegal drug, thus carrying with it a negative social stigma embodied by drug dealers and “stoners”…

But similar to alcohol post-prohibition in the mid 1930’s, this stigma of marijuana is slowly fading as its health benefits are brought to light and more states legalize it.  As of January 1, 2020, marijuana and CBD are legal in these states:

  • for medical & recreational use:
    • Alaska
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Nevada
    • Oregon
    • Vermont
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.*
  • for medical use only:
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Hawaii
    • Illinois
    • Louisiana
    • Maryland
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • Utah
    • West Virginia
  • CBD only
    • Georgia
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kentucky
    • Texas
    • Virginia
  • fully illegal
    • Alabama
    • Idaho
    • Kansas
    • Mississippi
    • Nebraska
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming

Keep in mind that the use of marijuana is decriminalized in these states only for adults 21+.  Also, the federal government still deems it illegal, so you can’t use it on federal land like national forests and parks.  If you plan to use or ingest marijuana in any capacity, do it responsibly—like anything else reserved for adults (i.e. smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, gambling, etc.).
*Washington D.C. is the capital of the US and not technically a state…but you already knew that

Where can I get CBD-infused foods & drinks?  

cbd oil

You can find CBD oil here.  If you’re looking for CBD-infused foods & drinks, they can only be found in states that have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use.  (In the summer of 2018, the state of California began enforcing the prevention of selling CBD in food & drinks since it has yet to be approved by the FDA.) Those who are connoisseurs of cannabis-infused foods & drinks, or “food cannasseurs,” would point you in the direction of these places (below) that push the envelope.

Note: Most places primarily serve CBD cocktails or CBD beer [similar to Two Flowers IPA which can be found in Oregon and Washington], but check these restaurants’ websites for updates.

Denver, CO (Aurora): Glazed and Confused
(CBD donuts: gingerbread CBD, chocolate glazed CBD and more)

cbd-infused foods edibles donuts denver colorado
photo: Glazed and Confused on Facebook

Denver, CO (Arvada): The Cereal Box
(CBD infused drinks: coffee, tea, milkshake, hot cocoa)

cbd edibles drink denver colorado
photo: The Cereal Box on Facebook

Las Vegas, NV: VegeNation
(CBD drinks: CBD Feel Good Tea, Sweet CBD Iced Tea)

cbd infused drinks las vegas
photo: VegeNation on Facebook

Lexington, KY: Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes
(CBD coffee, smoothies and shakes)

cbd edibles drinks lexington kentucky
photo: Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes on Facebook

New York, NY: The Wild Son NYC
(CBD cocktails: CBD oil can be added to cocktail of your choice)

cbd-infused foods cocktails new york nyc
photo: The Wild Son NYC on Facebook

Portland, OR: Grön
(CBD chocolate, hot chocolate and sauces; CBD derived from Southeast Asian evergreen plant and lemon peel)

cbd-infused foods edibles drinks portland oregon
photo: Grön on Facebook

Waterbury, VT: ZenBarn
(CBD cocktails: Up in Smoke, High on the Hog)

cbd-infused foods cocktails drinks waterbury vermont
photo: @zenbarn on Instagram

How can I make CBD-infused foods? 

Well, you can technically add cannabis, or solely the CBD oil or CBD powder to pretty much any sweet or savory food.  Just do so responsibly by adding extremely small amounts at a time.  If you need some inspiration, here’s a savory CBD recipe that is sure to please.

cbd-infused foods chicken recipe

Special Items

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts (with skin)
  • 1 onion (sliced)
  • 1 portobello mushroom (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup olives (green or black)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 10 drops CBD oil for 500mg bottle (this is a suggested starting point, but can be adjusted as necessary)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

  1. First, rinse the chicken and pat dry.  Add a thin layer of salt & pepper.
  2. Then, heat the butter, olive oil and CBD oil in pan and mix.
  3. When butter is completely melted, add chicken breasts.  Flip regularly until lightly browned on both sides…slightly lighter than this (since it’s going back in the pan):
  4. Set the chicken breasts aside on a plate.
  5. Cook the onions in the same pan on low heat until browned.  Place the chicken breasts back in the pan and add the portobello mushrooms. Mix the ingredients until mushrooms have softened (approximately 4-6 minutes).
  6. Lastly, add the olives and mix everything in the pan.  Cover with lid until ready to serve.
  7. Enjoy!

If you’re looking for more ways to cook with cannabis, here are some cookbooks that can help guide your way to another level of cooking.

Hello! I'm Kristina

Kristina Reynolds is the Founder & CEO of Glutto and an alumna of the University of California, San Diego. She writes articles & posts for Glutto Digest with insights from fellow industry experts. Furthermore, she is the author of The Fittest Food Lovers: How EVERY BODY Can be Incredibly Fit and Still Enjoy Food, a collaborative philanthropic book with proceeds going to charities that fight world hunger.

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