I've tried thc gummies but actually prefer to smoke weed. I use to as a teenager close to 40 years ago and stopped for many years this past year I started again to help with pain relief for my knee replacement. The stuff out there now is no joke compared to what it was like back then it's become a science. I will say how it has helped with pain is incredible the hard part was learning the amount to use and strains. I was lucky to have help from a very educated person. I found I have more control with smoking than edibles. Edibles slowly release and it's easy to go overboard because you don't feel anything right away smoking 1 puff wait a couple minutes and you know where you are at. the tricky part is getting the right strain and potency.
Edibles take time to learn and the are no joke. Once you figure out your range and frequency, it is much better in my opinion. I don’t have to cough and hack like I do when I would smoke and they last so much longer. A decent gummy can last 4 hours plus depending on various things. When I first started back, like you I was out of it for a long time and you are right.... the shit they got now is nuts compared to when I was young.
~PM