Are Cannabis Edibles Addictive? The Risk of Weed Gummies

Weed gummies may look innocent, with their colourful, sweet-like appearance and playful packaging, but the truth is that THC gummies and other cannabis edibles can be highly addictive. If the user is unaware about the differences between CBD and THC marijuana edibles, then there is a real risk of addiction if these edibles are abused, otherwise known as Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).

In the UK, around 9-10% of cannabis users develop an addiction to marijuana. With the growing popularity of cannabis edibles like weed gummies, there is a real danger that more people will fall victim to CUD given their trivial appearance of these candy-inspired drugs.

It is therefore important to draw a distinction between CBD and THC edibles to help clarify which marijuana edibles are addictive and which aren’t, to help prevent more people falling into the grips of cannabis addiction.

What Are Cannabis Edibles?

Cannabis edibles are edible candies infused with cannabis extracts, typically cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana edibles come in a variety of different forms, and are specifically designed to be more discreet and easier to consume.

This has led to a surge in their popularity in recent years, as they offer a more convenient and trendy alternative to smoking cannabis, which can be off-putting for many.

Cannabis edibles are now produced in a wide range of formats, including:

• Baked goods such as brownies and cookies
• Chewy sweets or “weed gummies” 
• Chocolates and confectionery bars
• Lozenges and dissolvable strips
• Drinks and tinctures 

What Are Weed Gummies?

Weed gummies or ‘pot gummies’, are a form of cannabis edible that mimic regular gummy sweets. They deliver cannabis effects through ingestion, rather than smoking or vaping.​

These edibles have significantly grown in popularity over the last decade, seen as a cool, quirky, and more convenient way of consuming cannabis. They take inspiration from regular sweets like Haribo and Sour Patch Kids, and come in similarly bright, colourful packaging. This has only added to their appeal, especially among young people.

Are Cannabis Edibles Addictive?

Some cannabis edibles are indeed addictive, but others aren’t. Whether a marijuana edible is addictive or not depends entirely on what type of cannabis extract it contains.

This is where confusion often starts, as CBD and THC edibles can look almost identical, despite having different effects and legal status here in the UK.

CBD cannabis edibles are not considered addictive. This is because CBD (cannabidiol) does not produce a psychoactive “high”, and is therefore not associated with dependency or CUD.

In the UK, CBD edibles are legal so long they contain no more than 1mg of THC per container and comply with Food Standards Agency (FSA) regulations. Legitimate CBD weed gummies are therefore regulated, and can be sold openly online or in high-street shops.

THC cannabis edibles on the other hand can be highly addictive. This is because THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a psychoactive compound that produces a “high” in users, and is the substance linked to cannabis addiction and CUD.

In the UK, THC remains fully illegal as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means THC edibles, which includes many weed gummies, are illegal drugs, and often contain unknown or potentially dangerously doses of THC.

Are Weed Gummies Addictive?

Weed gummies are only addictive if they contain THC. While their playful appearance might make them seem innocent, THC gummies can lead to the same patterns of dependency and misuse as cannabis that is smoked or vaped.

Understanding the difference between CBD and THC gummies is therefore crucial to avoid accidental addiction, and to help individuals make more informed choices about cannabis use.

Effects of Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles can produce a wide range of effects, depending on whether they contain CBD or THC. These effects occur more gradually than smoking or vaping. Understanding the difference is key to using cannabis edibles safely and effectively:

Effects of CBD Cannabis Edibles

• Reduced anxiety
• Calms inflammation
• Induces sleep
• Better focus
• Can balance mood

Effects of THC Cannabis Edibles

While CBD edibles are non-intoxicating and can promote wellness, THC edibles produce psychoactive effects that can alter mood and cognition.

• Can induce relaxation
• Produces a euphoric ‘high’
• Altered time perception
• Increased appetite 
• Temporary pain relief
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Impaired coordination
• Memory issues
• Drownsiness

Onset of these effects can begin from 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion, and last up to 12 hours. Higher doses typically incur the more negative effects found towards the bottom of the list.

The Deceptive Nature of Weed Gummies

Weed gummies are deceptive in the first instance, because their innocent appearance trivialises the consumption of marijuana, making it seem fun and harmless. This lowers the perceived risk, leading users to underestimate the effects of THC weed gummies. This leaves the door open to abuse, where users are tempted to consume pot gummies more regularly and at higher doses.

They are deceptive in the second instance, because many THC pot gummies are packaged very similarly to their legal CBD counterparts. Many people may therefore believe that because some weed gummies are legal and non-addictive, therefore all weed gummies are safe and non-addictive. 

Alternatively, individuals may be aware that some are illegal, but with the distinction between the two blurred, they will have no means of telling the difference.

If people have the opportunity to purchase or consume marijuana edibles, say at a party or a festival, they may therefore be more willing to try them in the belief they are harmless.

Pot Gummies: The New Gateway Drug?

Cannabis already has a reputation as being the foremost ‘gateway drug’, and marijuana edibles are no exception here. If anything, the trivial appearance of edibles makes them far more appealing for those individuals looking to experiment.

They come across as a more fun and innocent alternative, and their ease of consumption only adds to the appeal, as smoking or vaping can be off-putting for many.

It’s therefore not difficult to see why cannabis edibles like weed gummies are growing in popularity, and are quickly becoming the new gateway drug for those who are looking to experiment with psychoactive substances.

The Danger of THC Cannabis Edible Abuse

The playful appearance of THC weed gummies can make them seem harmless, but its this perception that only increases the risk of cannabis abuse, especially among young or inexperienced users.

This is dangerous because abusing weed gummies can lead to cannabis addiction, formally known as Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). This develops when the brain begins to rely on THC’s psychoactive effects, creating a psychological dependence.

How Dependency Develops

THC interacts with the brain’s reward system, triggering the release of dopamine and GABA, the neurotransmitters responsible for pleasure and relaxation. These effects can help users to relax, relieve themselves of pain, manage difficult emotions, or simply achieve a recreational “high” .

However, over time, the user get used to these euphoric or sedative effects, and starts to crave more of the substance to “feel good”, to fall asleep, or to self-medicate difficult emotions. This is a sign that a psychological dependency has set in.

Increased Tolerance

Once a dependency forms, users are at risk of consuming THC edibles more regularly or at higher doses. This is a sign that the user has built up a tolerance, which is when the user needs more of the substance to achieve the same effects.

This cycle of escalating use only increases the dependency, which can spiral into full-blown addiction. Once addiction has set in, users may feel powerless over their consumption, and find it incredibly difficult to stop.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Once addiction has set in, the user may experience a wide range of physical and mental withdrawal symptoms if they attempt to cut down or suddenly stop their intake.

These symptoms can make stopping particularly challenging, increasing the risk of relapse and a continued cycle of dependency and addiction.

Click here to learn more about cannabis withdrawal symptoms.

Health Risks of Weed Gummies

Abuse of THC cannabis edibles can bring a number of significant health risks, long-term health risks include:

• Long-term memory loss: Using THC gummies regularly can make it harder to remember events or retain new information. This is because the effects of THC can linger for hours after ingestion, significantly affecting time perception.

• Decreased motor skills: Frequent use can affect coordination and reaction times. This makes everyday tasks like driving and cooking more risky than usual.
• Fatigue and lethargy: Frequent consumption of THC gummies can lead to persistent tiredness and reduced motivation. This can affect all aspects of life, including work and personal life.
• Mood disturbances: THC abuse may trigger heightened levels of anxiety, and paranoia in users. This can contribute to ongoing mood swings with repeated use.
• Cognitive impairment: Chronic use can make it harder to focus and think clearly, even during normal daily activities.
• Sleep disruption: While some may use THC to fall asleep, overuse can throw off natural sleep patterns, leading to restless nights or insomnia.
• Potential psychotic symptoms: In rare cases, very high doses or prolonged use can trigger hallucinations, extreme paranoia, or other psychotic-like experiences.

Seek Support for Cannabis Addiction Today

If you are concerned about the risk of addiction to cannabis edibles like weed gummies, either for yourself or a loved one, reach out to New Leaf Recovery for confidential support today. Addiction can affect anyone, and there is no shame in admitting that you might have a problem.

Our team here at New Leaf will be ready to listen and offer non-judgmental support. We can offer tailored advice for your unique situation, and guide you on the next steps if you believe you might have a cannabis misuse problem.

As one of the UK’s leading addiction rehabilitation clinics, we have seen first-hand how innocent experimentation with cannabis can lead to accidental dependence and addiction. Our treatment plans have been expertly designed to help individuals conquer cannabis cravings, with support from trained therapists and staff with lived experience of addiction.

For confidential support, reach out to our friendly team today, and receive the tailored support you need to turn over a new leaf.