The market for cannabis edibles is steadily growing and jumping on this trend may be advantageous for profits in the future. However, we must examine the benefits and drawbacks about cannabis edibles before making a decision.
Many benefits are health related. Cannabis has had a long history for medical use, including anxiety management, easing labor pains, and treatment of diseases. Cannabis has both THC and CBD components which cause different reactions in the brain. THC is the psychoactive element of cannabis and can cause feelings of euphoria or relaxation. CBD has anti-anxiety properties as well as being a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory compound, and anti-seizure effects. Even if used recreationally, cannabis has multiple perceived health benefits that can improve quality of life.
However, there are drawbacks as well. The FDA has classified cannabis as a Schedule 1 controlled substance because it has a high potential for abuse. The other side effects of cannabis edibles include adverse effects on brain development, heart health, and psychiatric health. Studies have also shown that there is an increased risk of developing schizophrenia or psychosis. If an overdose of cannabis were to occur, other effects include panic attacks, paranoia, nausea, and hallucinations. The risk of overdose or accidental ingestion is greater in edibles as the packaging may be misleading and the edibles can look like numerous other products.
Overall, there are a lot of risks involved with producing cannabis edibles. Even with the loophole in the Farm Bill for delta-8 cannabis production, there is a lot of ethical issues with producing cannabis edibles. The products are easy for children to get ahold of, and people may find the packaging misleading if the products is a spinoff of an existing product. Many of the perceived health benefits have not been definitively proven. Therefore, I would advise against producing cannabis edibles.
Photo Credit: viewthevibe.com
Sources: Edibles: Effects, side effects, and what to know (medicalnewstoday.com)