The legal cannabis market in Canada is growing so fast that even growers and sellers are struggling to meet the increasing demand. In 2020, the sale of legal cannabis touched a new high, hitting $2.6 billion from $1.2 billion in 2019. Of total legal cannabis sales in this period, roughly 20% came from edibles Canada cannabis.
The popularity of edible cannabis is attributed to many factors starting from the easy availability and discreteness. So let’s see why the demand for these has skyrocketed in Canada.
Cannabis Edibles
Cannabis edibles are food products that are infused with cannabis. These edibles come in many different forms ranging from brownies to gummies and capsules. After the legalization of weed in Canada, the demand for edibles has been surging and breaking all previous records. Most of these contain a considerable amount of THC; however, users can also get pure CBD edibles.
Reasons For The Increasing Demand Of Cannabis Edibles
- More Intense “High”
One of the most fundamental reasons people prefer cannabis edibles over smoking marijuana is that edibles’ “high” effects are more intense and prolonged. While edibles take a little longer to kick in, it stays in the system much longer. While smoking marijuana, the chemical reaches the brain (showing effects) through the bloodstream; however, the contents first get absorbed into the digestive tract in them. However, before being absorbed into the bloodstream, it undergoes a metabolic pass in the liver. From there, it gets distributed throughout the body.
Usually, edibles take around half to an hour to kick in. While the peak effect is seen approximately after three hours, the effects last roughly around six hours. The effects may depend on certain factors like potency and purity of strain. Another benefit of these over smoking marijuana is that there is no risk associated with the respiratory system with edibles.
- Edibles As Discreet
Cannabis edibles such as gummies and capsules are easy to consume. Though weed is legalized in Canada, its taboos are still there. Moreover, in most public places, smoking is prohibited; people find edibles the best option at sites like those. As the edibles are relatively inconspicuous, one can use them publicly without any hindrance. Interestingly, users get a wide range of choices in flavors and product types with them. The flavors mask the original taste of cannabis which is quite bitter and hard to bear.
With edibles, the confusion in dosage also ends at once as every product comes prefilled with an exact dose.
- A Great Way To Deal With Chronic Pain:
While the pain-relieving properties of cannabis edibles were well-known before the legalization, people rarely tried marijuana as it was a criminal offense. The cannabis law in Canada is pretty liberal, and individuals can store and grow a certain amount of cannabis in their homes.
The legalization came as a great relief for users suffering from chronic pain such as migraine, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. The edibles can alter the pain perception pathways in the body, thus lowering the pain sensation. In some instances, medical marijuana was even able to replace the long time use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These NSAIDs have quite a few adverse side effects on the body.
- Powerful Anti-inflammatory Agent
They contain pure CBD and have excellent anti-inflammatory properties that can effectively help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and arthritis. By addressing the pain issue, they also help in reducing the inflammation around the affected organ. The lowered inflammation further helps in improving the quality of life as the patients get to move more freely on their own.
- Powerful Sleep Inducer
Cannabis is a great sleep inducer, and there isn’t any doubt about that. Experts say it helps restore the natural sleep cycle that is often out of sync due to the modern-day work-life balance. As per a 2008 study, edibles with high THC levels are more effective in reducing the REM sleep duration, which lowers dreams. Thus, they are incredible for people suffering from PTSD and fear of sleep due to nightmares.
- Anti-cancer Properties
They contain a range of cannabinoids other than CBD and THC. These cannabinoids are rich in antioxidants that help fight the excess free radicals produced by the body. Research suggests these free radicals can cause cancer; however, they may help alleviate the effects of cancer. According to some research, CBD may stop cancer cell growth and induce death in infected cells. CBD also helps in improving the body’s natural defense mechanism.
- Anti-anxiety Properties
Studies suggest THC can promote the feeling of relaxation and euphoria among users. The weed promotes relaxation in the body by inducing the high. Moreover, for regular cannabis lovers, it is the best way to rest and recover. Similarly, the CBD present in it has anti-anxiety effects.
A 2019 study says more than 79% of people having anxiety or sleep disorders experienced a significant improvement in their condition after taking CBD.
- Relief From Seizures
CBD is beneficial in controlling seizures suggesting it may be a potential treatment for epilepsy for everyone. There is only a single drug produced from CBD that helps control seizures in children over 2 years, and the drug Epidiolex is approved by the FDA to treat childhood epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome.
Like Epidiolex, another drug is made from mixing 1:1 amounts of CBD and THC; Sativex is prescribed in many countries to treat muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis.
Conclusion
The demand for cannabis edibles is still growing, and experts believe it will continue to do so in the recent future. Apart from the growing awareness of the benefits of cannabis, people are also moving more towards legal cannabis, which justifies the increase in the sales figure.
