ask Leah ...
How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System ?
Are They Right for You ?
Eating a THC edible is a much different experience than smoking .
by Leah Maurer , contributing writer
Leah
Leah Maurer , a native Missourian , is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland , OR . She is a co-owner of
www . TheWeedBlog . com , a top national cannabis news and information publication , where she serves as the Editorial Lead . In 2014 , Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone , it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure , successfully legalizing recreational / adult-use cannabis in the OR . Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally .
20 November 2021
Edibles are an enjoyable and effective way to consume cannabis . They come in a variety of forms and are tasty and discreet . Marijuana edibles are becoming increasingly popular , especially as more and more people want to try cannabis products but are less interested in smoking or vaping .
Eating a THC edible is a much different experience than smoking . When inhaled , the cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream right away , making their way to the brain for quick onset effects . However , rather than entering your bloodstream right away , edibles must work their way through the digestive system .
This digestion process takes longer than inhalation , but the effects are also prolonged , meaning that edibles hit later but linger for hours . After eating an edible , initial effects can begin within 30 minutes , but full effects take up to two hours and can last up to eight hours or longer depending on the dosage . When inhaled , the effects often set in within minutes and typically wear off within 2-3 hours .
Cannabinoids ( like THC ) are more bioavailable when inhaled by smoking or vaping . Bioavailability refers to the body ’ s ability to use THC and other cannabinoids . Many consumers find that edibles , especially in higher doses , tend to produce stronger psychoactive effects . This is because as edible cannabis passes through the digestive system , it meets the liver , where the THC is broken down into a metabolite called 11-hydroxy- THC . And as it turns out , 11-hydroxy-THC is more bioavailable than THC itself , resulting in a more potent high .
Cannabis edibles are dosed in milligrams per gram ( see dosage and MME chart on next page ). States with legalized adult-use ( aka recreational ) or medical marijuana programs have dosage limits and typically portion out a designated serving size in each package .
To achieve the ideal dose for your desired experience , it ’ s very important that you read the packaging labels carefully and understand how much THC is in each serving . When necessary , you might need to divide that gummy or cookie into smaller portions to experience the type of result you want . As I have said in previous columns , it is very important to start small and work your way up — only as needed . I suggest starting with an edible ( or slice / section of an edible ) that is 5 mg or less , waiting at least an hour , and then work towards higher doses from there until you find your desired effect .