What marijuana caramels are
Marijuana caramels are chewy candies made from sugar, cream, and butter, with a THC extract mixed into the fat. THC binds to butter and cream, so caramel carries it well. A single piece sold in a legal state market holds 5 mg or 10 mg of THC. Some pieces hold 100 mg.
Onset and duration
Oral THC absorbs through the gut. Onset runs 30 to 60 minutes. Peak blood levels arrive at 2 to 4 hours. Effects last 4 to 6 hours and can run longer. The liver converts THC to 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound with stronger psychoactive effects than THC itself. Eating more at the 30 minute mark does not speed onset. It raises the total dose.
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Dose limits by state
- Colorado: 10 mg THC per serving, 100 mg per package.
- California: 10 mg THC per serving, 100 mg per package.
- Washington: 10 mg THC per serving, 100 mg per package.
- Canada: 10 mg THC per package.
Rules vary by state. Check the label for total THC and serving count. A package with 10 pieces at 10 mg each holds 100 mg total.
CBD caramels
Hemp caramels use CBD from hemp with 0.3% THC or less by dry weight, the limit set by the 2018 Farm Bill. CBD does not produce the intoxicating effect of THC. The FDA has not approved CBD as a food additive or a dietary supplement ingredient. State rules on CBD in food differ. Some states allow it. Some do not.
Testing and labels
A lab report should list potency, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbials. Look for a batch number that matches the package. ISO 17025 accredited labs carry the standard for cannabis testing.
Storage and safety
- Store in a cool, dark, airtight container.
- Keep in child-resistant packaging.
- Store away from regular candy. Children and pets cannot tell the difference.
- Write the date on the package after opening.
- Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for a suspected overdose.
Legal status
The DEA lists THC in cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. State medical cannabis programs operate in 38 states. Recreational programs operate in 24 states. Federal law does not recognize those programs. Hemp-derived CBD with 0.3% THC or less is legal under federal law. Marijuana caramels with THC remain illegal under federal law.