Edibles: How the Cookie Crmbls
* In order to receive edible medicines from Trulieve you will need to first contact your doctor to discuss adding the edible route of administration to your recommendation. Edibles will be a specific route and milligrams will need to be dispensed from that route separate from the oral route of administration. *
When new medicines come out it’s important to understand how they work. Edibles are not only a broad category of medicine but also a new route of administration. We’ve made an easy to use resource to help you understand exactly what you’ll need to be dispensed edibles, what edibles are according to the Florida Department of Health, the relief they provide, and what to expect from us at Trulieve as a patient.
What is an edible?
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has classified edibles as a collection of five types of product groups. They are lozenges, gelatins, baked goods, chocolates, and drink powders. The FDOH defines these categories as follows:
Lozenges - A hard edible that is held in the mouth and slowly dissolved.
Gelatins - A semi-translucent edible made with water-soluble protein derived from collagen or a plant-based alternative.
Baked Goods - An edible comprised of dough or batter baked in an oven by the provider, also known as the Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC).
Chocolates – A solid edible made of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a chocolate substitute such as carob. Chocolates may not contain any caramel, nougat, nuts, fruit, honey, marshmallows, or any other such ingredient, toppings, or fillings.
Drink Powders - A powder that is combined with a fluid for consumption as a beverage by a qualified patient.
How do edibles affect me, the patient?
Edibles will offer patients an experience similar to other oral medicines. When edibles are taken, the THC is digested and converted naturally by your body to 11-Hydroxy-Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol – or 11-Hydroxy-THC for short. This is what causes edibles to feel several times more powerful when compared to a similar number of milligrams being taken via inhalation. This result also contributes directly to the long-lasting, deep, whole-body relief edibles can provide but also lends itself to a unique form of relief compared to other cannabis medicines.
Our high-quality cannabis distillate-based edibles will have an onset time between 1-2 hours and last for about 4-6+ hours but will vary from patient to patient. It is strongly recommended to start low and go slow. Patients should allow for a full 2 hours to pass after initial dosing to begin feeling effects before dosing again if needed.
Due to the increased bioavailability of nano-based products, our edibles made with our TruNano formulation will have a faster onset time, with results felt within 30-60 minutes and a duration between 3-5+ hours, though it will also vary from patient to patient. Patients should allow for 1.5-2 hours after initial dosing to increase, if needed.
What do I need as a Florida medical cannabis patient to purchase edibles?
As a Florida medical cannabis patient, you will need to have an Edible Route of Recommendation on your Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) profile. To check to see if you have this route on your profile, you can log in and check here - https://mmuregistry.flhealth.gov/Public/LogIn
If you do not have the route on your profile, you will need to contact your recommending doctor’s office to discuss the benefits of edibles and adding the route to your active recommendation(s).
The edible route will act like the routes of inhalation, oral, sublingual, topical, and recital. It will be found next to any active routes on your OMMU profile and can last up to 70 days, or as recommend by your doctor.
Are edibles strain specific? Will they be category specific?
Terpenes are not present in the distillate oil or nanoemulsion used, nor are they reintroduced for edibles. Due to the absence of terpenes, initial edible offerings will not be strain specific. Additionally, they are also not category (sativa, hybrid, or indica) specific at this time.
What edibles will be available at Trulieve?
Trulieve has a robust plan in place for our edible product lines that will include gelatins, or “gummies,” and chocolate bars to start, as well as bringing in an assortment of products from our partner brands such as cookies and brownies. All products are subject to FDOH approval.
What is considered a dose for an edible?
The FDOH has set a maximum milligram amount for individual serving sizes to 10mg. We strongly recommend that patients start low and go slow, especially if you do not have oral or edible cannabis experience. A recommended introductory dosage would be 5mg or less, with patients allowing a full two hours to begin to feel the effects before dosing again, if needed.
How many milligrams per unit/product can edibles be?
The FDOH has set a total maximum milligram amount to 200mgs per container, with a maximum of 10mg per individual dose.
Will edibles have to be individually wrapped per dose?
No; edible containers that include multiple servings will need to have the individual servings physically distinct, clearly marked, and/or delineated reasonably so the serving is easily identified. This means individual dosages for lozenges, gelatins, baked goods, and chocolates can either be individual pieces or a bar with the serving sizes in easy-to-break pieces. For drink powders, each product must contain a pre-measured individual container or a scoop that portions out a specific amount, similar to the TruPowder.
If I have dietary restrictions, will I be unable to take edibles?
If you have conditions that manifest as symptoms affecting your digestive tract, such as Chron’s, Celiac, IBS, and more, we recommend consulting your recommending doctor with concerns. They will be able to help determine if edibles will be helpful for your personal relief.
Trulieve is committed to the accessibility of relief and will have vegan and gluten-free options to further allow those with dietary preferences to enjoy edibles, all pending FDOH approval.
What is the shelf life on edibles?
The shelf life on Trulieve’s initial edible medicines will be four months for baked goods and up to one year for gummy- and chocolate-based medications. If an edible is broken in halves or quarter pieces to help adjust the dose to your needs, we recommend using whatever pieces are left the next time you medicate with your edible to help keep them as fresh as possible.
How do I store edibles?
All Trulieve edibles will be formulated to be “shelf stable,” meaning they are able to sit out at room temperature without refrigeration. Edibles should be stored in a stable cool, dark, and dry area to enjoy for the full life of the medicine.
Are flavored gummies/edibles considered medicine?
Yes. For many, cannabis can have a naturally strong herbal or bitter taste. Edibles offer a way that is both clearly measured and extremely palatable. Offering natural, effective relief in a variety of formats is important to us, as well as patients who may not be interested in smoking or vaping cannabis and are averse to the natural taste of cannabis products.
What kinds of ingredients can be used for edibles?
Only food and food additives, as outlined by the FDOH. Ingredients such as meat, poultry, or fish are not allowed to be used as ingredients, with the exception of gelatin. Color additives are also prohibited by the FDOH.
Should I eat my edible with a meal?
Edibles, like oral medicines, may find increased absorption when taken with a healthy fat or other meal. While taking an edible with a meal may delay the onset time, this method of use typically allows for more of the medicine to be absorbed, resulting in longer-lasting effects.
What can I do if I have taken too much of an edible?
We strongly recommend starting with a 5mg dose or less when first trying edibles. It’s important to always start low and go slow. We also recommend patients wait a full two hours to allow the effects of the edible to be fully realized before upping the dosage, if necessary.
Unfortunately, if too high of a dosage is taken, there is no way to counter the effects except for time. In the event of a too-high dosage, it is important to know how to manage it. Drinking a cool glass of water and staying hydrated will help avoid a headache and irritable mouth dryness, while moving into a cool dark room to lay in can remove light sensitivity and eliminate motion wobbles. Additionally, taking calming deep breaths can help you to relax and sleep can offer the most effective relief from a psychoactive high. Just remember: the feeling will pass.
