Cannabis and Sleep: A Guide to Nighttime Products

Bedtime, Goodnight, Snooze, Fast Asleep. Walk the edibles case at Local Roots and you'll see plenty of products made for the end of the day. Brands design these nighttime formulas with specific cannabinoid blends, and the labels tell you exactly what's inside. Here's how nighttime products are put together, what the research is finding, and where to find them at our Fitchburg and Sturbridge stores.

What makes a cannabis product a "nighttime" product?

A nighttime product is one a brand has built for your evening routine. Most use one or more of these:

• CBN. A cannabinoid you'll see on many nighttime labels. More on it below.
• A cannabinoid blend. Many combine THC with CBD, CBN and CBG. Wana's Stay Asleep gummies, for example, use a custom blend of CBD, CBN, CBG and THC with more than 30 terpenes (Wana via Leafly).
• A fast-acting format. Some nighttime edibles use nano-technology designed to work more quickly than a classic edible (Wana via Leafly).
• A bedtime name. Words like Bedtime, Goodnight and Snooze make them easy to spot. The cannabinoid list on the label tells you the rest.

What is CBN?

CBN, short for cannabinol, shows up on many nighttime labels. It forms naturally as THC ages and is exposed to air, light or heat (Cannigma). CBN also has a place in history: it was the first cannabinoid ever identified by modern scientists, around 1899, decades before THC (Cannigma).

Today, brands add CBN on purpose, usually alongside THC. You'll see it in ratios like 5:1, where a product has five parts THC to one part CBN. New to ratios? See What Do Cannabis Ratios Mean?

What does the research say?

Researchers are studying cannabis and sleep more than ever, and the findings are encouraging. These summaries describe published research, not claims about any product sold at Local Roots.

• CBN. In a 2023 randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 321 adults with poor sleep took CBN, CBN with CBD, or a placebo for a week. People who took 20 mg of CBN reported fewer nighttime awakenings and fewer overall sleep disturbances than the placebo group (PubMed, PsyPost summary).
• Cannabis-derived products. The National Academies of Sciences' landmark 2017 review found moderate evidence that cannabis-derived products can improve short-term sleep in people with sleep problems tied to certain health conditions (National Academies).

Nighttime products at Local Roots

Here's the nighttime lineup on our shelves right now. Where we've confirmed what's inside, we've listed it. For everything else, the label shows the full cannabinoid breakdown.

Stock changes often, so check the live Fitchburg menu or Sturbridge menu for what's on the shelf today.

Fast-acting or classic: timing your evening

Timing is everything with nighttime edibles. Classic edibles take a while: Massachusetts regulators note that the effects of edibles may be delayed by two hours or more (Cannabis Control Commission). That's why fast-acting options are so popular. Wana Fast Asleep uses fast-acting nano-technology (Leafly).

Tinctures, drinks and vapes give you even more ways to fit cannabis into your evening routine. Our budtenders can walk you through how each one works.

How to choose a nighttime product

1. Start with the THC. In Massachusetts, one edible serving can have up to 5 mg of THC (935 CMR 500.150). Check the THC per serving first.
2. Look for CBN on the label. Nighttime blends list each cannabinoid and its milligrams.
3. Read the ratio's order. Brands list cannabinoids in different orders, so confirm which number is which.
4. Pick your format. Gummies and chews, a chocolate bar, a tincture, a seltzer or a vape.
5. Start low, go slow. That's the Cannabis Control Commission's own advice (CCC). Begin with one serving and give it time.
6. Taking any medications? Check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
7. Ask a budtender. Our team is happy to compare nighttime labels with you side by side.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a cannabis product a nighttime product?

Brands build nighttime products for the end of the day. Many add CBN, a cannabinoid that forms as THC ages, or blend THC with CBD, CBN and CBG. Look for words like Bedtime, Goodnight or Snooze on the label, then check the cannabinoid list to see exactly what's inside.

What is CBN?

CBN, or cannabinol, is a cannabinoid that forms naturally as THC ages and is exposed to air, light or heat. It was the first cannabinoid ever identified by scientists, around 1899. Today brands add it to many nighttime products.

What does research say about CBN and sleep?

In a 2023 placebo-controlled trial of 321 adults with poor sleep, people who took 20 mg of CBN nightly for a week reported fewer nighttime awakenings and fewer sleep disturbances than people who took a placebo. Research on CBN is still new and growing.

What's the difference between fast-acting and regular nighttime edibles?

Fast-acting edibles, like Wana Fast Asleep, use nano-technology designed to work more quickly. Regular edibles take longer: Massachusetts regulators note the effects of edibles may be delayed by two hours or more, so plan ahead and wait before taking more.

How do I read the ratio on a nighttime gummy?

Each number in the ratio stands for one cannabinoid, in the order the brand lists them. On Wana Fast Asleep, 1:5:1:1 means THC, CBD, CBN and CBG. On Incredibles Snoozzzeberry, 5:1 means five parts THC to one part CBN. Always check the milligram amounts on the label.

How much THC is in a nighttime edible?

In Massachusetts, a single edible serving can contain up to 5 mg of THC. Many nighttime edibles pair that THC with other cannabinoids. Check the THC per serving on the label, start with one serving, and wait before taking more.

For adults 21+ only. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Keep cannabis away from children and pets.