Emerald Sky makes their North Star Cherry cannabis-infused licorice in a formula of 19:1 CBD/THC. Each serving has 9.5mg of CBD and 0.5mg of THC, for a package total of 95mg CBD and 5mg THC. They also make a 10mg Sativa and a 10mg pure CBD gummy.
While they do have a mild licorice taste, this is not licorice in the usual sense of Good & Plenty or Twizzlers. If you don’t like licorice, these likely won’t bother you because cherry, strawberry and red fruit is the much more pronounced flavor.
These CBD gummies are individually packaged, which makes it easy to take one or just a couple with you, rather than taking a whole bag like most gummies. The down side is of course that there is significantly more packaging being used, a concern when it comes to the environment.
North Star Cherry THC and CBD edibles are made with organic and non-gmo sweeteners. They do contain wheat so they are not gluten free but they are vegan and free of animal products.
Dosing
As with all edibles, it is best to start with a low dose of a new product until you know how it will effect you. For someone who is experienced with edibles and whose usual dose of thc is 10mg, the .5mg of thc might not be a concern. Some folks are sensitive to the effects of CBD and may need a smaller dose, so it’s always smart to do a test run with half a dose, wait 2 hours and notice the impact.
I often need more than a 10mg dose of CBD to impact pain or discomfort, it depends on the type of pain. For muscle aches that come from extensive yard work or sleeping in an awkward position, I find I need a higher dose. If the pain comes from inflammation, like arthritis, then around 10mg can help with the pain.
With an Emerald Sky CBD gummy, after testing lower doses I found that for stubborn muscle pain I did need two doses, which provides 20mg of CBD and 1mg THC. Even with the the double dose I did not feel any psychoactive THC effects.
I was glad that with the higher does, I didn’t have any of the Indica-tyoe THC effects you get with some 1:1 THC to CBD ratio edibles. Some edibles with equal amounts of CBD and THC use Indica-dominant strains of cannabis, which can result in relaxing, sleepy or even couch-lock effects. These CBD gummies gave me none of those undesirable effects, just the anti-inflammatory and pain relief effects I wanted.
For a dependable CBD edible in single dose packaging with little to no THC effects, Emerald Sky 19:1 CBD:THC or pure CBD Cannabis Licorice Gummies are a good choice.
Kanha cannabis infused CBD & THC gummies contain a 4:1 ratio of CBD to THC. Each piece has 10mg CBD and 2.5mg THC. There are 10 pieces for a package total of 100mg CBD / 25mg THC.
These gummies are made with gelatin, so they are not vegetarian or vegan friendly. They are gluten-free and contain no food allergens like dairy, nuts or soy. Each piece has 23 calories so the whole bag only sets you back 230 calories.
Taste & Effects
The smell from the package is a sweet peach smell. Each gummy is covered in a fine sugar coating that provides an initial sweet taste. Once that disappears, there is a semi artificial peach taste, similar to a hard candy like Jolly Rancher, mixed in with a slight cannabis oil taste. Like other Kanha gummies I’ve tried, they are somewhat artificial tasting but perfectly edible. I don’t like artificial flavors, but these have a soft flavor, taste perfectly fine and are similar to other peach gummy candies.
Kanha gummies are robust, taking a good five minutes to dissolve in the mouth. As with all new edibles, I took half of my usual dose the first time to judge how strong they are. My usual dose is 10mg of THC and up to 20mg of CBD, so I started with one half of a gummy, with 10mg CBD & 2.5mg THC. I took it first one evening at home. Within an hour I could feel the CBD start to have an effect, with aches and pains lessened plus a relaxed feeling in the muscles. I was pleasantly surprised at the impact of half of my usual dose of CBD. The extra THC really helped boost the CBD effect for me.
With 2.5mg of THC, I did not experience any of the psychoactive effects from taking higher dose THC edibles. When I take an edible with 5mg of THC, I usually get some mild psychoactive THC effects. I found the Kanha gummies to have little of those effects. In my experience, CBD lessens the impact of THC, so that I get a stronger effect from 10mg of just THC than I do when there is 10mg of THC and 10mg of CBD in a gummy. At the same time, the THC boosts the effectiveness of CBD for me.
THC does work together with CBD, so I like the ratio of CBD to THC in this gummy because it helps activate the CBD. I find these work better than products that only contain CBD. If you are looking for a CBD gummy edible with a four-to-one ratio of CBD to THC, this edible is a good choice. Many products contain only CBD and no THC, which I find much less effective.
The package suggests taking between 1 and 3 doses. Since 3 doses would have 7.5mg of THC, you would have to be careful about psychoactive effects. I usually find 10mg of THC is a good dose, but for many folks 5mg gives them the effects they want. With CBD reducing the impact of the THC effects, I can sometimes take a higher than usual amount without undesirable side effects. Always start low and go slow with edibles and judge the impact for yourself, as we all react a little differently.
Wrap Up
For a healthy dose of pain relief, Kanha 4:1 CBD:THC Peach gummies are a good choice. While I find the flavor just okay, it is not enough to prevent me from enjoying the powerful effects. Overall a good choice if you are looking for support with pain plus the anti-inflammatory and other effects of a 4:1 CBD:THC gummy edible.
These “slips” remind me of those Listerine strips that were so popular years ago, that allowed you to use mouth wash on the go by just dissolving the strip in your mouth. In a similar fashion, Kin Slips allow you to discretely pop a strip into your mouth and let it dissolve.
The slips come in three formulas – uplifting with sativa type effects (Cloud Buster), relaxing with indica effects (Nice Dream) and a CBD-rich mixture (Park Life) formula. We appreciate that they indicate the effects they are formulated to produce, as so many edibles give no indication.
While the strips are certainly convenient and discreet, they are possibly the worst tasting edible we have ever had. Despite the attempt at flavoring, as these dissolve there is a tiny hint of flavoring but it is overpowered by an unpleasant chalky, medicinal taste. Even the flavoring tastes artificial. Even with drinking something to mask the taste, when using these before bed it is not unusual to still have the nasty aftertaste in your mouth the next morning.
We find them quite strong, part of which is likely related to taking them under the tongue. For using the Nice Dream to help fall asleep and stay asleep, often half of one is enough to feel the effects. Nice Dream is on our short list when we need help with sleep.
Photo Courtesy KinSlips
KinSlips have a good strength, are convenient, discreet and specially formulated to produce specific effects, all of which which are big pluses. The taste is a big drawback for us, since there are so many other better tasting cannabis edibles available
Like the other Sensi Chew products, this edible is a chocolate caramel confection that does a good job of hiding the THC taste. If you are not a fan of the taste of cannabis oil, this is good product for you to try, as the taste is on the mild side. There is an “Insomnia Plus” product that has no THC, just CBD and it has almost no cannabis taste. This edible is usually described as having a “tootsie-roll” type flavor and Sensi Chews have a similar consistency as those treats.
I like that Sensi Chew has a short ingredient list and that the ingredients are something your grandmother might use in making treats (except maybe the cannabis extract, depending on your grandmother). They are not full of chemicals and fillers. They do contain dairy so they are not an option for those who avoid dairy, be it for allergy, by choice, because of being a vegan and cruelty-free or any other reason.
Effects & Dosing
Usually within 30-45 minutes of taking one of these I begin to feel sleepy. I am sensitive to melatonin and each dose has 2mg of it per dose along with either 10mg of THC or CBD. Once the effects begin to set in, I am able to get ready for bed and I last about another 30 minutes before my eyes are too heavy to keep open. I would not take more than my usual does of one 10mg THC piece as I find the effects are strong enough.
Sometimes I do experience something of a groggy feeling in the morning, which I don’t like. I experience that with several other types of sleep aids, so I think it is the melatonin. I prefer to wake up refreshed and not groggy. I am fortunate that insomnia is only an occasional issue so I don’t usual use a sleep aid. Folks who are more tolerant of melatonin, might not have the grogginess. I don’t have it every time, but close to half the time when I use products like this.
Wrap Up
If you have problems getting to sleep or staying asleep, I would recommend giving Sensi Chew Insomnia or Insomnia Plus formulas a try. these might not be your best choice if you are sensitive to melatonin. If you find you experience the grogginess, experiment with half or a quarter of a 10mg dose, to see if that reduces the impact.
Whether you are beginning to try edible or topical forms of cannabis, or are just interested in knowing more, we share are some good basics to know from our considerable experience. We share about effects, selecting, dosing, consuming – and what to do in case you consume more than feels good.
Effects
If you have not smoked Cannabis before and are unfamiliar with the effects that smoking it creates, understand that you will likely be experiencing new sensations. Well known side effects of smoking Cannabis flowers include euphoria, relaxation, heightened senses, pain relief, dry mouth and “the munchies”. These effects come from various chemicals in cannabis including CBD and THC.
If you have smoked pot, know that it is different than the almost immediate effects experienced when you smoke. The effects can sometimes take two hours or more to be felt fully. We usually feel effects from edibles within 45 minutes to an hour, but the effects can sometimes continue to increase up to 3 hours later. Every time is s little different. When compared with smoking flowers, it takes longer to feel it and much longer for the effect to fade. We have turned to edibles more as we want to smoke less. When we smoke, the effect can last an hour or so, sometimes two, but with edibles the effects keep giving!
Everyone is impacted differently, so make sure you have the free time to experience the effects – which may last up to 6 hours and for transdermal patches or large doses up to 12 hours. Ideally you are in a comfortable, familiar environment, preferably with someone nearby or in close touch who is supportive and experienced.
Eating or applying the compounds to your skin can have quite different effects. Some effects that we experience from smoking, like heightened senses or the munchies, do happen with edibles. Effects of edibles can include focus, energy and creativity with Sativa strains, pain or anxiety relief with Indica strains and anti-inflammatory effects with CBD rich strains.
Sativa, Indica & Hybrids
Indica, Sativa and Hybrid options. flickr: extensivlyreviewed
Cannabis comes in two main types – Indica and Sativa. Indica primarily effects the body – relaxing, anti-tension, and sometimes “couch lock” for stronger strains. Sativa primarily effects the head, increasing focus, creativity, energy and sense perception. There are many hybrids that are dominated by one set of traits or the other and some hybrids that try to balance the effects of both.
Wikipedia: On average, Cannabis indica has higher levels of THC compared to CBD, whereas Cannabis sativa has lower levels of THC to CBD.[5] However, huge variability exists within either species.
In the case of CBDs anti-inflammatory and pain relief are the usual effects Taking CBD with THC is reported to reduce the power of THC or at least it helps limit how high you get. Some suggest taking CBD to combat taking too much.
Within the types – Sativa, Indica, Hybrid – there are many specific strains. Some strain names have become well known and we prefer edibles where the strain name appears, so we can look up the effects if it is an unfamiliar strain. Also, If I want energy and uplift in the morning, I might not want to take an Indica dominant strain like Grandaddy Purple or Gorilla Glue or Chem Dawg that will relax me. I want a Sativa dominant strain like Sour Diesel or Jack Herer or Blue Dream. Some of the CBD strains are AC/DC, Harlequin and Ringo’s Gift. Sites like Leafly and others have reviews that provide details and reviews of strains.
Selecting
With the effects in mind, select what you want thoughtfully. Get something that either comes in small doses or something you can easily cut up into the portion size you want. Brownies, cakes, chocolate treats and similar edibles are often easy to cut into portion sizes. Hard candies and suckers are not easy to cut up, so consider that when making your selection.
To find edibles that are a good fit for you, look for items in flavors and types that appeal to both your taste buds and the effects you desire from your experience. There is a wide variety of cookies, brownies, cakes, chocolates, hard candies and other portable edibles available, so look around at different dispensaries to find the ones that are best for you.
Some dispensaries offer small diary’s or logs for you to keep track of what works for you and what doesn’t. It is a great idea to keep some notes on what you like and don’t so you can refine your choices and see what is best for you.
Always start with a low dose, like 2 or 2.5 mgs (milligrams). Do not to use edibles that are not clearly labeled with the total amount of THC either in the whole thing or per item (like with gummies). You cannot tell potency by the size of the edible. A normal size brownie could contain 5mg or 500mg, you just don’t know.
While a typical dose is usually 10mg, if you are totally new to edibles you may want to start at 2-3mg. While sometimes the effects can take up to 2 hours to be felt completely, usually after 60-90 minutes you should feel something. With a new edible, always wait 2 hours to see what you experience. If you feel nothing or almost nothing, possibly add another 2-3mg and wait 2 hours again, or next time try 5mg if the lower dose was not too strong for you.
On The Rise Edibles Medical Cannabis Gingerbread
Do your math and plan ahead when cutting up edibles. The On the Rise Sativa dominant edible pictured has 210mg of THC and it says it is six (6) doses. That means each dose will have 35mg of THC each – way too much for most people. If you want 10mg pieces, how will you cut it into 21 sections? One way is to cut it in half then cut those pieces in half, then cut those pieces in half, but that means you end up with an even number of pieces. In this case you end up with 20 pieces of 10.5 mg each which is close enough to the target dose.
This was an old style edible, before adult use became legal in California in 2018. Most edibles now – and in most states where it is legal – have the standard required dosing of 5mg or 10mg per dose, with some having higher limits for medical use, like 25mg per dose.
Consumption
How much food is in your stomach impacts the effects of edibles, and so does what you eat with it. We notice a definite difference if we take the same dose of an edible with very little on our stomach or if we take it soon after a meal. We get a much more pronounced and often quicker effect when our stomach is near empty. If our stomachs are full, the effect is usually weaker overall and can take more time to develop.
What you take the edible with can boost its effects we have found. From what we understand, the THC binds with fats to be distributed into the body, so it helps to take the edible with food that has some healthy fats in it like an avocado, some nuts or some seeds like sunflower, sesame and chia seeds. Too much food, however, and you will loose the benefits of a little fat, so having a big meal with a lot of fat in it isn’t a good choice if you want to feel the full impact.
Caffeine and spices that increase blood flow (like cinnamon, ginger or cayenne) can also help to boost the effects of edibles. If we are looking for an energetic experience, we usually take our edibles with some form of caffeine, be it coffee, tea, mate or cocoa. While Ruth is a black coffee lover, Alton prefers a modified cafe mocha made by stirring cocoa powder into coffee with milk. Since he loves spicy foods, he will often mix cayenne and cinnamon into the cocoa powder and add that to coffee for a spicy mocha. We find caffeine and these spices boosts the effects of most edibles I’ve tried. A favorite edible, the On The Rise brownies, come in both chocolate and gingerbread formula. We find that with the gingerbread we get a slightly stronger effect than we do with the chocolate brownie.
Flickr photo: JurrasicBlueberries Cookies 2017
Hydration
Staying hydrated is always important and I find it more so with edibles. I usually need more water than usual when I use edibles as I often experience dehydration and dry mouth. I usually go through four or five 16oz glasses. It’s fine to drink other liquids, being aware that sugary drinks could reduce the impact of the cannabis you are using. If you drink alcohol or caffeine or soda or all three, they do dehydrate you, so avoid them, limit them or pair them with regular intake of water – your body will thank you.
Overdose
It happens to most people at some point. With edibles it is possible to overdo it and feel like you have had too much. Sometimes this feels like you are ill but you cannot pinpoint what is wrong. Some folks get a feeling as if they are “dying” because they feel really bad, but don’t know what is wrong. We’ve experienced this as an all over feeling of being very uncomfortable, feeling nauseous in a way but not sick to the stomach. If we are inside, we can feel like we need to go outside for fresh air, and sometimes that helps. You are not actually sick, it just feels like it.
The easy antidote for too much THC edibles is to eat and drink. Sugar, protein and carbs are especially good at mitigating the effects of too much THC. Try having some form of protein, some cereal or some ice cream, even a sandwich. You may be feeling strange and it may feel strange to be eating, but do your best to finish what you are eating until you feel better. When we have the right dose, the taste of food is amazing, but if we’ve had too much eating is what has always worked to bring us down from an overdose of THC.
We have also heard advice to use products high in CBD’s to offset the effects, such as taking a high CBD tincture so it will bring down the THC effects. We do notice that we never seem as high with an edible that has a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio than one without. We have not tried taking CBD to combat taking too much THC it makes sense – as long as it doesn’t add more THC to the mix.
Experiment
Everyone is impacted differently, so first try each new edible by itself and when you have the time to enjoy the effects, not when you have to be somewhere or do something soon. Trying different types of edibles over time and at different doses will help you to find out what produces the desired effects for you.
Kiva Camino makes their Holiday Punch cannabis gummies with a flavor reminiscent of red punch that has a cranberry and cinnamon flavor. This formula has 5mg of THC and 0mg of CBD per serving, and the can holds 20 gummies, for a total of 100mg THC per package. As with the rest of the Kiva Camino range of edibles, these gummies are not just infused with distilled THC but are formulated with natural terpenes to create specific effects.
My local dispensary charges around $20 for a package, making it $2.00 for each 10mg serving of THC. These gummies do contain gelatin, so they are not vegetarian or vegan friendly. The can is their standard two-handed unscrew tin. The gummies are not individually wrapped.
Dosing & Flavor
The smell from the can is a pronounced red punch smell. Like the other Camino gummies, they have a lovely opaque appearance and a soft texture that is easy to bite through.
The flavor seems to have cranberry/cherry flavor with just a hint of cinnamon and that doesn’t have any strong cannabis oil taste or bad aftertaste. A mild sour note gives these that tart cranberry type flavor.
As we always recommend with new edibles, try half of your usual dose before trying a full dose as you never know how strong something will effect you. The Kiva Camino Holiday Punch gummies are easy to cut or bite in half to give a 2.5mg THC dose. Since I am experienced with edibles and my usual dose is 10mg of THC, I began with one full piece that has 5mg THC. After having only light effects for that trial run, on another day I then to my usual 10 mg dose, taking two gummies for a total dose of 10mg THC.
Effects
The 10mg THC dose produced a noticeable effect. The main effect I experienced was heightened senses – things looked, smelled and tasted more intense. I didn’t experience a big energy boost as I do with some Sativa gummies, the physical effects were more relaxing than energizing but without drowsiness or couch-lock. I found these a good fit for mild activity that takes advantage of the heightened senses, like puttering in the garden, cooking or going for a walk in nature. Of course perfect for opening presents and staring at twinkling lights too.
I can see how these would be a good fit before enjoying holiday meals, or staring at brightly colored packages while snacking on a candy cane.
Enjoyable flavor profiles and type-specific effects are exactly what I look for in an edible and Kiva’s Camino gummies do a great job on both counts. Read our reviews of the other Camino gummies here.
More Than Buds 