This week the Florida Department of Health rolled out final rules and regulations for medical cannabis edibles. This is a LONG awaited update to the Florida Medical Cannabis program which first launched in 2017. Similar to the smokable roll out in March 2019, edible cannabis has been added to the registry as its own route of administration, requiring physicians to update recommendations before patients can purchase.

Florida Edibles Update

What are edibles?

Edibles are food and drink products that have been infused with cannabis medicine. In Florida, edibles can include lozenges (hard candies that dissolve slowly), gelatins (gummies), baked goods (with no sprinkles or icing), chocolate (cannot include any fruits, nuts, or other fillings/toppings), and drink powders.  

Edibles must be shelf stable. They cannot contain color additives (natural or otherwise), icing, sprinkles, or other toppings that would make them attractive toward children. They cannot be a primary or bright color, must be a uniform shape, and have strict requirements for labelling and packaging.

How do I dose edibles?

Like all forms of cannabis, edibles should be dosed with caution - using the ‘low and slow’ mantra. Edible effects can be very inconsistent, especially for patients with GI absorption issues or those without a gallbladder. Onset time can vary between 30 minutes to over 2 hours. Effects are long lasting (6-8hrs) and typically more psychoactive than other cannabis methods, further necessitating the need for caution. 

In Florida, Edible serving sizes are standardized at 10mg per piece with a multi-serving edible maxing at 200mg total. Servings must be individually scored or easily separated. Patients new to cannabis or extra sensitive to THC should start with 5mg (1/2 serving) or less and slowly increase their dose over time. Unless a significant amount of time has passed (6+hrs) do not add to your dose as onset time can be highly variable. You will eventually learn your body and response, but you are better off not feeling it this time, than taking too much. 

What do I do if I eat too much?

First, remind yourself that in the history of human kind no one has ever died from taking too much cannabis. Then do whatever things help you stay calm (breathing, grounding, relaxation techniques, time in nature, talking to someone, etc). You may experience anxiety, paranoia, increased heart beat, changes in blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, and GI upset (nausea and vomiting). These are all completely normal reactions when consuming too much THC. You can also take CBD to counteract and diminish the effects  (in an amount more than what you took in THC). Depending on how much you ate, effects typically last 6-8 hours, peaking and then coming down in nature. 

What are the benefits of edibles?

Many patients report that cannabis edibles have a more full bodied effects than other forms of cannabis dosing, making it a beneficial option for severe pain. Edibles are also long lasting, removing the need to medicate frequently throughout the day. Cannabis edibles can also be highly psychoactive and sedating, making them helpful for obtaining a full nights sleep. 

What are the drawbacks of edibles?

For some patients, edibles can be too intense and too unpredictable. Factors like metabolism, other foods taken with it, experience & tolerance, and underlying conditions can all influence the edible experience. While the long lasting effect is a benefit for many, it can be uncomfortable for others.

Where can I purchase Florida cannabis edibles?

 Edibles can only be legally purchased from a licensed MMTC (dispensary). Companies may create their own products or license rights to produce established edible brands in their facilities. Edible offerings will vary by company. The legality of edibles is brand new in Florida and it may take some time for products to be approved by DOH and make it to market.

How do I know if I’m authorized to purchase edibles?

The registry was updated on 08/27/20 to allow physician to authorized edible cannabis. If you were seen prior to this date, your physician will need to update your recommendation to include the edible route of administration. To purchase both CBD and THC edibles, you will need orders for both low THC and medical marijuana edibles.

How many/much edibles can I purchase?

Like other routes of administration, your purchasing limit is set by your physician as a max dose per day. This is multiplied by the length of the order (70 days) for a max purchase amount per 70 day period. In the example above, the patient is authorized to purchase 28,000 total milligrams of edible products during the specified time frame. Every purchase made during this time will subtract from the available allotment.

I’m a patient of Florida Medical Cannabis Clinic, how do I get edibles added to my recommendation?

Please navigate to the edibles tab on our website and request and complete the short edibles update request form. We will update your recommendation and notify you via email once it’s complete. Patients seen on or after 08/27/20 do not need to request an update. If you are not a patient of Dr. Gebhardt, you will need to contact your recommending physician.

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