We’ve come a long way in the battle for hemp accessibility, which, for some people, means the brand new experience of figuring out how to find (and legally purchase) high-quality hemp-derived THC products. If you’re looking to buy the best edibles but are feeling overwhelmed, we've got you.
Today, we’ll be covering what you need to know when shopping for edibles, including everything from ways to identify markers of quality to finding the best vendors to shop from (online and near you).
Time to learn how to find your new favorite edibles!
Types of Edibles: A Quick Primer
When talking about edibles, there’s essentially an endless variety of treats that can be infused with THC. To keep it simple, though, we’ll quickly go over the general categories of edibles you’re most likely going to find at shops.
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Gummies: Probably the most popular type of edible, gummies are the perfect THC vessel. Because they come in small, individual pieces, dosage is incredibly straightforward, plus they’re available in a wide variety of delicious flavors.
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Chocolate: Everyone loves chocolate, so it only makes sense that brands have paired it with something else we all love: THC. Edible chocolates are popular not only because of their taste, but also because they have pre-portioned breaks to help dial in your dosage.
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Baked Goods: THC-infused butter and chocolate have allowed brands (and adventurous at-home chefs) to turn their favorite baked goods into even more special treats. The downside to these products is that they can expire more quickly than other types of edibles, and the dosage control can be a bit of a guessing game if you’re not eating the whole thing at once, since baked goods aren’t easy to portion precisely.
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Beverages: For those seeking an alcohol alternative or just a refreshing way to enjoy a nice high, THC-infused beverages have become another popular product. While they aren’t technically “edible,” they do fall under the edibles umbrella and offer a nice alternative for those who want to consume cannabis without inhaling anything.
Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to edibles, with other options like mints, hard candies, and even savory options available for purchase!
Alrighty, now that you have a solid understanding of the types of products you can choose from, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to choose the best edibles or gummies for your vibe.
Pay Close Attention to Dosage
One of the first things you should look for with any THC product is the dosage, or rather, how much THC (and other cannabinoids) is in the product. While gummies will often have 5 to 10mg per piece, some edibles can have less (making them good for microdosing) or way more.
Depending on your experience with THC, knowing your ideal dose can be a difference maker in the type of experience you have with any given edible. For more info, check out our guide on edible dosages!
Potency and Serving Size
The most trustworthy brands, Camino included, will make it very easy to understand how many milligrams of THC and other cannabinoids are in each serving. They’ll also make it clear what the serving size is, helping you be in total control of your dosage and experience. Finally, they’ll do rigorous testing (more on that in a minute) to ensure that each serving, whether it be a gummy in a package or a square of chocolate in a bar, has the same amount of THC, so you know exactly what to expect when you pop one.
Look for Markers of Quality
Finding the best gummies (or edibles in general) is going to come down to knowing how to spot signs that a product is made with quality ingredients by reputable brands. Here’s what to look for:
Ingredients
Finding the best edibles isn’t just about a precise amount of THC in each piece; it’s about all of the ingredients. From sweeteners to coloring and other flavorings, reading the list of ingredients can be a good way to quickly identify products you can trust, and some that you can rule out. Because there’s such a wide variety of ingredients used to make edibles, it’s hard to definitively say what to look for, but generally, products predominantly made with natural ingredients will be a sign of higher quality.
Aside from the ingredients themselves, pay attention to how easy it was to find the ingredient list. Better-quality products tend to take pride in what they put in their edibles, whereas sketchier items won’t make it as easy to find out what’s actually going on inside each gummy, chocolate bar, etc. So, if you’re looking at a website or packaging, the more details, the better.
Terpenes
Terpenes are natural plant compounds that help dial in the desired effect of certain edibles, as well as add some subtle changes to the taste and aroma profiles. While terpenes aren’t always listed directly on packaging (though at Camino, we do!), brands that make higher-quality gummies and edibles will often include them on a website product page, including what terpenes are used, and what each one brings to the table!
Flavors and Taste
Taste is subjective… to an extent. Low-quality gummies are more likely to leave a rancid or sickly sweet taste in your mouth. Finding the best gummy for you means finding a brand that uses high-quality ingredients and offers flavors you love.
Certificate of Analysis (Cannabis Testing)
A Certificate of Analysis (often referred to as a COA) is a lab report verifying that a product is made to meet high standards. This includes three main elements: THC content, cannabinoid profile, and safety testing.
Once again, brands that make high-quality edibles will always have a COA linked to their products. For example, every Camino product will come with a tamper-evident seal and a unique batch number that allows you to access the COA for the product. For more information and a good example of what to look for, check out Kiva’s page on COAs.
Brand Reputation
Things like ingredients and COAs can help boost the trustworthiness of brands, but the best of the best won’t just stop at the basics. Look for brands that not only provide product information but also have a long-standing, trusted reputation in the industry. Another good sign is brands that look to inform consumers with educational blogs and guides (not to toot our own horn too much). And finally, turn to brands that have a proven track record of happy customers. Camino’s parent company, Kiva, for example, has been producing high-quality edibles since 2010!
Choose Products Based on Your Desired Effects
At Camino, we specifically craft each of our products using effects-based formulas (shout out to terpenes). The best products will be super upfront about these effects, letting you know if the gummies you’re eyeing are more suited for winding down at night, adding a little pep in your step, or just giving you a general pick-me-up.
For a deeper dive on how to pick the right gummy for the vibe you’d like to experience, check out our full guide here!
How to Safely Buy Edibles
Based on the state you’re in, laws around buying edibles can vary quite a bit. That said, there are some things you can look for to ensure a safe, easy, and sketch-free shopping experience. When buying online, use well-reviewed and trusted websites, whether they are from third-party sellers or directly from brands. Note that it’s always good to double-check you’re on a brand's official website, as knock-off and backdoor sellers do exist.
Another way to ensure you’re getting the product you want from a legit seller is by finding a list of local shops that carry your favorite brand’s gummies or edibles on their website. We’re going to make a not-so-bold presumption, and let you know you can find local shops that carry Camino gummies near you by clicking here.
Look for Camino by Kiva!
If all of the options have your head spinning, there’s a simple solution to finding the best edibles. Just look for Camino gummies of course! Whether it’s at your local shop or directly from our website, Camino gummies offer a wide variety of flavors with tailored effects and are made from high-quality ingredients. Next time you’re in the market for some edibles, you’ll know where to look!
Cyrus Grant is a writer from Southern California with a background in law and dispute resolution. When he isn’t writing, he can be found deep-diving into the latest technology trends or simply spending time at the beach.
