The Best CBD Edibles for Beginners (and Where to Find Them)

CBD edibles have become an art form. Cannabis chefs are embracing the non-intoxicating, anxiety-reducing cannabis derivative as their new star ingredient, and their latest gastronomic masterpieces have attracted legions of fans who are hungry for more, both literally and figuratively. At the same time, CBD is also becoming an increasingly common addition to the kinds of sweet and savory snacks found in desk drawers of offices across the country.

For the CBD novice, there’s no better place to begin. CBD oil might not have the most pleasant taste, but there are a never-ending number of ways to hide it, and it seems that brands are bent on discovering all of them.

CBD cakes, brownies, cookies, and more have become commonplace on store shelves from coast to coast, and despite the recent crackdown on edibles spurred by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the trend doesn’t look like it’ll be ending any time soon. People simply can’t seem to get enough — when the creator of Jelly Belly announced his new line of CBD-infused jelly beans, the company’s website sold out in a matter of hours.

It’s not hard to see why: edibles have many advantages over other methods of use. They don’t come with the risks of vaping or smoking, they’re tastier than CBD capsules or sublingual oil drops, and with top chefs like Martha Stewart getting into the CBD game (Stewart’s current offerings are pet-specific, though she’s expected to branch out in the near future), they’ve never been trendier.

Of course, there are some things to keep in mind when delving into the world of Leif CBD Chocolate Bars. For one thing, dosage matters — it’s worth asking your doctor to help figure out the right dose for you. You’ll also want to give your edible enough time for the effects to kick in before you help yourself to another serving.

When used responsibly, though, CBD edibles are a fabulous indulgence for both your tastebuds and your brain.

These CBD-Infused Edibles Are Great for Beginners

There’s something for everyone here, from simple gummies to the fanciest of rich, dark chocolates. No matter your palate or preferences, the edibles below are some of the best on the market — and you’re likely to find at least one that you love.

Leif CBD Chocolate Bars

Perfect for: Socially conscious, environmentally-minded gourmands.
Can I order them now?: Yes, if you’re in a state with legal recreational or medical cannabis.

These bars have become widely known for their extravagant flavor combinations and edgy packaging. They’ve also won customers over with the fact that they’re vegan and fair trade. Flavors include peanut butter and jelly and mint hibiscus, both of which are made with 66 percent organic dark chocolate.

Most of the products from Leif have a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio, but their dark chocolate-and-sea salt bar contains 100 mg CBD and no THC. As well as creating delicious CBD-packed edibles, the company has also added CBD-infused topicals to its product range. ($23 for one 100mg CBD bar)

Green Roads CBD Gummies

Perfect for: People who like to know exactly what they’re putting in their body.
Can I order them now?: Yes, from anywhere in the U.S.

These gummy bears are one of the best known CBD edibles on the market today, and for good reason. Aside from their pleasant taste, they’re formulated by pharmacists to have standardized dosages, giving consumers a rare bit of clarity and control in the largely unrelated CBD market.

Take their Relax Gummy Bears, for example. Each bottle contains 30 colorful little bears, each of which are made with 10 mg of industrial hemp-derived CBD. They’re lab-tested (with the results available to read on the company’s website), and each product page comes with a handy FAQ tab to answer any questions potential customers might have ($55 for one bottle of 30).

To Whom It May CBD Chocolate Boxes

Perfect for: The picky (or sophisticated) eater.
Can I order them now?: Yes, from anywhere in the U.S.

If you like an interactive online shopping experience where you can select flavors and put together combinations based on your own preferences, look no further than To Whom It May. Their website and customer experience is as indulgent as the high quality CBD-infused chocolate boxes they create.

To Whom It May produces a range of individual, bite-sized chocolates which have been infused with high-quality CBD oil and then grouped together into assortment boxes. For the CBD novice, they have a user-friendly dosage guide on their site that recommends how high a dose you should use according to how often you’ve used cannabis or CBD in the past. Their chocolates are available in a variety of concentrations, from 2.5mg to 45mg. (Boxes start at $30.)

Plus Products CBD Relief Gummies

Perfect for: Health nuts who need to chill out, fast.
Can I order them now?: Yes, if you’re in a state with legal recreational or medical cannabis.

Plus Products have created a range of different cannabis gummies with varying ratios of CBD to THC. If you’re looking for a candy that comes without the high, then their Mango CBD Relief Gummy could be the ideal morsel for you.

These candies have a CBD:THC ratio of 9:1, so they’re unlikely to cause noticeable psychoactive effects for most people. Each little square boasts 4.5 mg of cannabis-derived CBD and just 0.5 mg THC. Like many of the brand’s candies, the tropical mango flavor is created with low-calorie, gluten-free, and kosher ingredients, has a marshmallow-light consistency, and packs a delicious, flavorful, punch. ($17 for tin of 20.)

Black Angus Links CBD Beef Jerky

Perfect for: Rugged carnivores who prefer purity.
Can I order them now?: Yes, from anywhere in the U.S.

Some may struggle to fathom it, but not everyone has a sweet tooth. For those who prefer savory flavors, CBD-infused edibles can be more difficult to come by, but it’s not impossible. The CBD Beef Jerky by Black Angus Links is a great example of a savory edible that doesn’t compromise on flavor or dosage.

Earthshine Organics have formulated these jerky strips so that each bag contains either 75 mg, 150 mg, or 300 mg of hemp-derived CBD per serving. The CBD oil used is a 99 percent cannabidiol isolate oil, which means it won’t contain any THC — so while it might not deliver the same effects as a product made with full spectrum oil, it’s an attractive option for people who want to be extra-careful about avoiding any contact with psychoactive substances. ($20 per bag.)