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Missouri Cannabis Education
How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?
Start Low and Go Slow with Edibles
Leah by Leah Maurer, contributing writer
Leah Maurer, a native Missourian, is a canna journalist and activist living in Portland, OR. She is a co-owner of The Weed Blog www. theweedblog. com Co-Owner 420-420 Digital Media Solutions and the text code 420-420. In 2014, Maurer founded Moms for Yes on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone, which proved pivotal in adult-use legalization in Oregon. During that time, she also co-founded Show-Me Cannabis to help launch the legalization effort in Missouri. Maurer is a social justice activist at the core and hopes to see the end to the prohibition of cannabis globally.
When you ingest cannabis edibles, especially those containing THC( tetrahydrocannabinol), the onset, peak, and total duration of effects differ significantly from inhaled forms like smoking or vaping. As such, it is important to consider many factors when trying to assess how long a cannabis edible actually stays in your system. Due to federal prohibition of cannabis, there are no fully validated or long-term studies on this topic from government health agencies. However, many long-time cannabis consumers’ anecdotal experiences and the little research done by private platforms do point to some items worth knowing about this topic.
After an edible is consumed, THC is metabolized more slowly than with other consumption methods because it is metabolized through the digestive system, which typically converts it to a potent compound that contributes to stronger and longer-lasting effects. This is why consumers frequently have a very different experience with feeling the effects of cannabis when consuming edibles as opposed to smoking or vaping, etc.
Edibles may deliver a more intense experience than inhaled cannabis due to the metabolic conversion in the liver. Common short-term effects include euphoria and relaxation, drowsiness or sedation, especially at higher doses, and potentially impaired memory, attention, and motor coordination.
Typically, edibles begin to take effect approximately 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion. However, some cannabis products, like hard candies, may produce effects in as little as 15 to 45 minutes due to an added sublingual effect. Often, the effect from an edible will peak around two to three hours post-consumption, and can last up to six to nine hours, with some individuals still feeling effects up to 12 hours( especially in sensitive individuals or higher doses). Some residual effects may even persist into the next day( up to 24 hours). As with all things cannabis, this is dependent on the individual’ s endocannabinoid system. Other factors influencing the timeline of effect include dose strength, individual metabolism, body fat percentage, whether you consumed the edible on a full or empty stomach, and the tolerance level of the consumer.
For safe use, particularly with edibles, it is important to start with a low dose( typically 2.5 to 5 milligrams of THC) and wait at least 60 to 90 minutes before consuming any more, as the delayed onset can cause people to take more than intended. Potency labels on legal
12 October 2025