Edibles are a fun and easy way to enjoy the effects of cannabis without smoking. They’re extremely popular across Michigan, and new products are being introduced every day across the state.
In March 2023, edibles made up 11% of overall cannabis sales in Michigan, and the demand for these products rose 82% from 2022 to 2023. As more and more Michigan residents try weed edibles, we anticipate that there will be a demand for products with even higher THC percentages.
It’s obvious that Michigan residents want strong cannabis edibles. So how potent can Michigan edibles be, and how strong is too strong?
How Do Edibles Work?
Your body processes cannabis differently depending on how you use it. When you smoke weed, you absorb THC into your bloodstream through your lungs right away. The THC then makes its way into your brain, where it binds with your body’s endocannabinoid receptors. That’s what makes you feel high.
When you consume a cannabis edible, it passes through your digestive tract, where your stomach breaks down the THC. As the edible makes its way through your intestines, more THC is absorbed into the bloodstream.
THC eventually enters the liver, where it is metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is actually more potent than THC and crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily. This is part of the reason that some people say edibles hit them harder than smoking. The compound goes from your liver to your heart, where it’s pumped into the brain, making you high.
How Strong Are Edibles in Michigan?
When cannabis was first legalized in Michigan, recreational edible products were limited to 100 mg of THC content per package, while medical cannabis edibles could contain up to 200 mg of THC per package. A pack could be one container of gummies, one brownie, or a bag of pretzels.
In 2022, Michigan allowed most Michigan edible products on the recreational side of the store to contain up to 200 mg of THC. If the edible contains delta-8 THC as well, it can’t exceed 10% of the total THC content.
There are no limits to how much THC each dose of an edible product can have. Many rice krispie treats or brownies contain 200 mg on their own and need to be cut into pieces. Some gummies contain 5 mg of THC each, while others have 50 mg each. Make sure to check the edible potency of each product you buy!
Beverages are the exception. Cannabis drinks are only allowed to have 100 mg of THC in Michigan. Many companies only sell drinks that contain 10 mg of THC, or less, but some companies like Mary Jones are starting to create 100 mg sodas and other cannabis beverages in Michigan.
What Can Affect the Potency of Edibles in Michigan?
Some cannabis edibles will bring on stronger effects than others. You may feel different sensations from each brand of edibles, even if they both say they contain 200 mg of THC. After you’ve used a few different types of Michigan edibles, you may begin to notice which ones feel best to you
One factor in edible potency is how they are made. Most weed edibles are made from distillate and contain only THC and CBD without specific aspects of any strain. Other cannabis edibles are full-spectrum (or live resin), which means that all of the minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are still present in the final product. Live resin gummies generally lead to stronger, richer results.
You may also feel different effects depending on when you eat in relation to when you take your edible. Cannabis users have different opinions on what works best, but we recommend taking your edible after a meal.
Other aspects that may affect the potency of edibles include:
- Strain
- Sativa vs indica vs hybrid
- Type of edible (drink, brownie, chips, etc)
- Time of day
- Your tolerance to cannabis and edibles
- Desired effects
Unfortunately, inconsistent testing and labeling standards can also make it harder to figure out the potency of your edible product. You might have to try a few different brands before you find one that brings on the effects you want.
How to Safely Use Edibles in Michigan
Using edibles doesn’t have to be intimidating. As long as you’re careful, you should have an awesome experience taking edibles for the first time. Here are some tips for safe edible consumption.
Don’t use other drugs or alcohol
While cannabis is very safe, you should avoid mixing it with alcohol or other drugs. This is especially important if you’re new to edibles, as it could amplify negative side effects
Take edibles with friends
No one should be alone during their first cannabis consumption experience, especially with edibles. It’s a good idea to have friends around who can watch out for you and can reassure you if you get too high.
Prepare your space
You may feel like you can’t get up off the couch once your edible kicks in. Have everything ready and within arm’s reach before it kicks in, including the remote, your phone, and a blanket.
Prepare a meal or some snacks. The munchies will likely demand both sweet and savory options. Cannabis can make your mouth dry, so have a big water bottle ready, too.
Start with a low dose
Many new edible users start out by taking a dose that’s too high. If it’s your first time, you likely won’t need much THC to feel strong effects, even if you’re a regular marijuana smoker. Taking too many edibles can be a scary experience with negative side effects like paranoia, anxiety, and dizziness, so don’t go overboard.
We recommend starting out with between 2.5-10 mg of THC for your first serving. You absolutely shouldn’t start with more than 10 mg. If your full edible contains more, cut it into pieces.
Be patient!
Edibles can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to start working. It’s normal to start getting antsy waiting to feel high after eating your Michigan edibles.
However, many people think their edibles aren’t working and take even more. If you do this, you run the risk of feeling the edibles hit 10 minutes after taking the new dose, and getting way too high later on in the night.
What If I Take Too Many Michigan Edibles?
Is a 50 mg edible or 100 mg edible too strong? Is 500 mg edible strong? Overall, yes, this is way too much THC for a new edible user. However, the dose is less important than how it affects you.
You’ll know you took too many edibles if you start to experience the following symptoms:
- Sweating
- Chills
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red eyes
- Dry mouth
- Rapid heartbeat
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nervousness
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty focusing
- Paranoia
- Panic attacks
- Hallucinations
Here’s the good news: taking too many edibles can’t kill you, and you don’t need to go to the hospital. Instead, you need to calm down and rest. Find a space where you feel safe and can sober up.
If you need to sober up right away, sucking on a lemon or chewing black peppercorns. Taking a dose of CBD can also help calm down the negative effects of too much THC.
Overall, if you start low and slow, you’re likely to have a great experience with cannabis edibles in Michigan. It might just take some time to find a product you love.
Ready to try out the potent edibles in Michigan? We can help you try edibles for the first time!
The Michigan Edibles directory contains over 453 listings for edible companies and dispensaries with a wide variety of cannabis edibles. We’ll help you find the best cannabis edibles for your first dose, or the next new product to try for regular users. We even list edible recipes and news about Michigan edibles so you can stay up to date and find new products ASAP!
