How to safely try cannabutter or cannabis oil when you dont know its THC potency

[yuiyoshida]

By Susan Squibb, The Cannabist Staff

Hey, Cannabist!
I’m thoroughly confused. A cannabis grower relative gave me a jar of green cannabis oil, I expect made with coconut oil. I have no idea how to use it! No idea of its potency or THC level and cannot reach him by phone or text. What do I do to “test” this stuff? Do I melt some of it in a skillet and put a tiny bit on a cracker? Do I make brownies? I’ve looked for answers on Google and all I get are directions on how to make the cannabis oil, no real suggestions as to how to ingest it when one doesn’t know potency. I’m 77, and don’t want an overreaction. Thanks. — Senior Newbie

Hey, Senior Newbie!
Great Scott! How rude of him to not return your calls or texts. Let’s sort this out with some advice from experts on how to handle marijuana-infused oil or cannabutter with unknown THC potency.

I consulted with two longtime edibles experts: Elise McDonough, a Santa Cruz, California-based marijuana writer who specializes in cooking and edibles, and Martha Montemayor, director of Cannabis Clinicians Colorado. McDonough, author of “The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook,” has a decade of experience cooking with cannabis, deciphering mystery marijuana infusions and sampling edibles across the globe. Montemayor is a certified nutritional consultant and has assisted many first-time medical marijuana patients at Healthy Choices Unlimited.

Some unsuspecting people have become overwhelmed after consuming potent edibles.

“The psychoactive effects of edibles are less predictable than they are with other forms of cannabis,” Montemayor says via email, adding that the effects can also last longer compared with smoking or vaping. “As with alcohol, THC tends to have a more profound psychoactive effect on women and older adults.”

Montemayor says the onset time for edibles is typically between 30-90 minutes, and the rate of THC uptake via digestion varies. The effects of edibles can have a duration of up to eight hours, possibly longer. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious.

more...
http://www.thecannabist.co/2017/10/25/how-to-safely-try-cannabutter-cannabis-oil-unknown-thc-potency/90009/

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. The other problem with edibles is not knowing the strain used.

Some hybrids are great for certain physical problems, for example.
Plus, it would nice to be prepared for couchlock vs. an urge to alphabetize the Cheerios.