Legalization of marijuana continues to sweep across the U.S., but before you start munching on brownies and other foods containing cannabis extract, researchers at RTI International warn that “many questions” about the basic effects of these products.

“The need for additional regulation of edibles is evident given the frequency of cannabis overdoses and accidental pediatric exposures,” RTI says in a new research paper.

On last election day, voters in eight more states and the District of Columbia backed recreational marijuana use, and more than 20 states have approved marijuana for medicinal use. But as more people eat up, RTI argues that the more study is needed to determine just what the effects of these resulting “highs” area.

“The many formulations of cannabis extracts used in edibles present a unique regulatory challenge for policy makers.” RTI scientists say.

Including edibles.

“Edibles are often viewed as a safe, discreet and effective means of receiving the intoxicating and/or therapeutic effects of cannabis — such as alleviating anxiety or reducing pain — without the potentially harmful risks of smoking,” said Jenny Wiley, Ph.D., senior fellow of behavioral pharmacology at RTI who is co-author of the paper. “However, edibles come with their own set of risks.”

The paper warns that while “edibles are often considered a safe, discreet, and effective means of attaining the therapeutic and/or intoxicating effects of cannabis without exposure to the potentially harmful risks of cannabis smoking, little research has evaluated how ingestion differs from other methods of cannabis administration in terms of therapeutic efficacy, subjective effects, and safety.”

There are big differences between inhaling and ingesting, RTI notes.

“The most prominent difference between ingestion and inhalation of cannabis extracts is the delayed onset of drug effect with ingestion.” RTI explains. “Consumers often do not understand this aspect of edible use and may consume a greater than intended amount of drug before the drug has taken effect, often resulting in profoundly adverse effects.”

“Further research into cannabinoids, and edibles in particular, is needed so that policy makers can be well informed when establishing regulations regarding the manufacture, labeling, and sale of edibles,” RTI says.

Dealing with risks includes:

  • Standardization of product formulations
  • Adequate quality control measures
  • Appropriate product labeling

RTI warns that “much remains to be done to ensure that edibles provide a consistent dosage” and labeling should be improved “to ensure that consumers are better educated on how edibles affect the body and that they are aware of how to use edibles safely to avoid concerns such as unintentional ‘highs’ or ‘highs’ lasting longer than anticipated.”

RTI International is an international, independent, nonprofit research institute based in RTP.

Download the paper at:

https://www.rti.org/sites/default/files/resources/tasty_thc_promises_and_challenges_of_cannabis_edibles-op-0033-1611.pdf