The 8 Best THC Gummies to Shop in 2023

Whether you are an OG cannabis user, or a newcomer to the space, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options out there for THC gummies nowadays. For many, myself included, edibles were once a reference to homemade baked goods, but now they come in a variety of forms, with THC gummies at the forefront. Determining the best THC gummies can be an arduous task!

Early on, most options resembled popular candies like Sour Patch Kids and Gummy Worms, but with progressions in legalization, manufacturers have been able to develop their own unique brands and flavor profiles for consumers to enjoy. After updates to the Farm Bill in 2018, hemp derived products, containing less than a .3% concentration of Delta-9 THC, were deemed federally legal, and since then the market has blossomed.

Note: Many of the products in this list can be purchased at the recreational dispensaries in NYC. Here is a guide to those locations.

When adhering to these new standards, gummies can be purchased online directly from the manufacturers, and then shipped right to your doorstep without ever having to get up from the couch. There are some exceptions to these new rules though, such as in California, where they have laws in place that ban hemp derived products despite their overall cannabis approval. Most retailers have a warning message on their site listing the states that don’t allow shipments, but it’s always best to check your state’s laws before making any purchases. And if you are looking for something on the stronger side, you can still buy gummies with higher concentrations of Delta-9, you would just have to do so from a licensed dispensary if you’re in a state where recreational cannabis is legal. So whether you need some guidance for your next gummy pickup, or you’re just looking to try something new, take a look at our list of 8 of the best THC gummies to Shop in 2023.

As with anything you put into your body, it’s important to take a look at the ingredients list on the back of your gummy’s package before popping one in. A lot of the gummies out there are basically just candy with an after effect, while others try to use natural flavorings, minimize sugars, and some are even vegan friendly. For most people, especially those who aren’t regular users, the most important thing to look for is the recommended dosage, and it can be a little tricky to understand.

With Farm Bill conforming edibles, those containing less than the .3% Delta-9 THC concentration, the serving size on the container can generally be trusted, anywhere from ¼ to 1 full gummy. These edibles tend to contain around 5-10mg of THC per gummy, as well as a relative amount of CBD to keep down the psychoactive effects. On the other hand, with the higher potency Delta-9 gummies that don’t meet Farm Bill guidelines, the serving sizes are really going to depend on your personal tolerance. To understand how much THC you’re ingesting, look at the package and determine the total milligram count of THC, then, divide the quantity of gummies in the package from that number, and you have your dosage per gummy. From there, it’s all about knowing how much YOU can handle, since everyone is different. These gummies will have much stronger psychoactive effects, and you really don’t want to overdo it, so it’s important to start small, sometimes as low as 2.5 mg from beginners. As your tolerance increases and you get to know your own preferences you can try taking more, but gummies can take anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes to kick in, so don’t do so until you’ve given them a chance.

• Editors' Choice: Camino by Kiva, $17.99+
• Most Unique Flavors: Rose Delights, $30
• Best Value: Delta Remedys, $49.99+
• Best Full Spectrum Edible: Harney Brothers, $40
• The Best Vegan Option: 3CHI, $29.99
• Best 2:1 Option (CBD:THC): Koi Delta-9 THC Gummies, $39.99+
• Most Environmentally Conscious Brand: WYLD, $17+
• Best Live Rosin Option: MFNY - Live Rosin Gummies, 30+

Brand Reputation:

While being a “household” name is uncommon with edibles, several of the brands on our list are considered leaders in the space, and others have ties to the greater cannabis market. When considering brands for our list, we looked at customer reviews, brand partnerships, and even consumer engagement on social channels. On top of that, the brands on our list will be commonly found across licensed cannabis dispensaries, a great sign of a trusted favorite. 

Ingredients:

Quality ingredients make for a quality product, and that is exactly what we were looking for in our favorite gummies. Manufacturers that have gone the extra mile to develop organic, and even vegan products, certainly get a little bump when putting the list together. That said, with so many quality brands using gelatin in their recipes, we didn’t let that fact hurt anyone’s positioning on the list. Additionally, since the most important ingredient in all of this is the cannabis, or hemp, products made through quality sourcing channels did not go unnoticed. 

Manufacturing:

The manufacturing process is quite extensive when you consider it includes everything from post-harvest handling to final product testing. A few things we took into account when evaluating the manufacturers for our list included reviewing their sourcing partners, the time it takes for them to get their materials, and the extensiveness of their lab testing. We also considered environmental impact when reviewing various production methods and do applaud those brands that have worked towards, or achieved, carbon neutral status.

Safety First:

The safest way to enjoy edibles is to start slowly, and in order to do that you need to know where to start. For the gummies on our list, those that offer dosage guidelines on their packaging, or websites, definitely get a nudge from us. It’s not enough to put out a good product, you also have a responsibility to make sure that your consumers are having a good experience. For the brands that prioritize safety for their consumers, thank you.

Flavors:

Taste is key, but not at the expense of potency, so our list is composed of options that bring all the flavor without compromising on the punch. And while classics like strawberry and cherry are still fine, we were really impressed with the variety that others now offer, as well as the unique flavors they have been able to create using all-natural ingredients. 

Cost:

Quality products cost money, so while it is fair to assume that the best gummies will likely cost the most, we know that not always in everyone’s budget. We considered gummies at the top of the market, as well as the bottom, and everything in between, but we did not let the dollar sign become the primary factor. 

Transparency:

With the extensive testing requirements around hemp and cannabis, as well as the accessibility of testing services, it is inexcusable for a manufacturer to not regularly test their products. To go even further, as so many brands are already doing so, it’s becoming standard for test results to be accessible via the company website, and becomes a bit of a red flag if they aren’t.

Customer reviews:

We looked through a lot of first-hand accounts when compiling our list and sought to include brands with the most star-studded reviews we could find. While they can sometimes lack depth, we were sure to include brands who’s consumers make an effort to give detailed reviews, and actually try to both help enhance the product and provide info for others.

What are the benefits of THC gummies?

Similar to marijuana, the use of THC gummies can have several benefits beyond just “getting high”, and are often used by people seeking alternatives to manage chronic pain, anxiety, and even cancer-related symptoms. With continued studies into CBD, and production of gummies that contain equal parts of both cannabinoids, users have even been able to address these symptoms without the high, if desired.

There are researchers that claim strategic use of THC edibles can help with digestive and neurological disorders too, but there is still a lot of research needed in these areas to take a hard stance on the matter. Additionally, a major benefit to ingesting edibles, versus smoking flower, is that you are not causing any harm to your mouth, throat, or lungs in the process. While smoking cannabis is not typically considered as harmful as cigarettes, smoke inhalation of any kind is less than ideal, and can lead to lung and throat irritation at the very least. As with anything, all good things in moderation, so just be sure you are not overdoing it.

How long do gummies take to kick in?

To be clear, there is no exact timing to when a gummy will kick-in. Some people start to feel the effects in as little as 30 minutes, while others can take up to 2 hours to really get the feeling. Then, once it starts, users have been known to hit peaks as long as 4 hours later, with lingering effects sometimes lasting 24 hours. Like cookies and brownies, gummies can often take a bit longer to feel than some other edibles out there. Any THC edible that you have to swallow will first need to be digested in the stomach, then metabolized in the liver, and finally, pushed back into the bloodstream so that your brain can tell you “You’re High”. The timing of this process can change as well depending on your weight, your metabolism, how recently you ate, and especially the dosage of the edible. So be patient when taking your gummies, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the vibe.

Are THC gummies legal?

There is no simple answer for this one, so I will say yes, but that yes has some caveats depending on your location. As is the case with marijuana, despite sweeping adoption at the state level, THC is still a federally illegal substance, to a limit. With the Farm Bill updates in 2018, hemp derived products containing less than a 0.3% concentration of Delta-9-THC have been deemed legal, so edibles can be sold as long as they adhere to that standard. These products have a higher concentration of Delta-8 THC, which is a less psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp, so they won’t give you the same feeling as some other options, but they are legal! So the long answer is that it is legal to purchase edibles with some amount of THC just about anywhere, but they might not be as strong as what you’re thinking of unless your state allows for recreational use. Ultimately, check your state’s laws on cannabis before trying to go out and purchase anything for yourself, and make sure you are buying from a licensed retailer!

What is delta 8?

Delta-8 THC, short for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a minor cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, which is what gives you the feeling of being high when smoking. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol) are the most well-known, but there are over 100 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including Delta-8. While it's similar to Delta-9 THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis), Delta-8 has its own unique properties, including less anxiousness and greater functionality, as compared to its more popular counterpart. Additionally, Delta-8 is more commonly derived from hemp, so it remains a federally legal substance under the updates to the Farm Bill. That said, Delta-8 takes some synthesizing in order to produce, so condoning its use is still questionable for some.