Edibles are a great alternative to smoking cannabis, but their effects may feel different and last longer, depending on the dosage. Cannabis edibles will take about 30 minutes to an hour before the high effects start. In addition, the edibles last the longest (6-8 hours) compared to smoking or vaping cannabis. So without further ado, let’s dive in!

 

What is Weed Edible?

Weed edibles are ingestible forms of cannabis extract that have been infused into food or drinks. Cannabis edibles contain either one or both marijuana active ingredients:

  • THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
  • CBD (Cannabidiol)

Knowing how much to consume can take time and effort. Therefore, starting with a low dose is advisable to see the body’s response.

Forms of Marijuana Edibles

Baked Goods: Brownies, waffles, biscuits, and cookies

Candy and Gummies: Truffles, marshmallows, chewing gum, lozenges, lollipops, gummies, chocolate, hard candy, and fruit bars

Beverages: Energy drinks, coffee, soda, wine, tea, beer, and alcohol shots

Other Edibles: Butter, sugar, jerky, and syrups.

Benefits of Weed Edibles

  1. CBD-only cannabis edibles are ideal for aiding in treating ailments such as chronic pain and anxiety. In addition, they last longer than other edibles, making them suitable for users who want long-acting relief from health issues.
  2. Edibles don’t pose the same respiratory risks as smoking marijuana. This is because edibles don’t involve burning or inhaling smoke.
  3. It’s possible to consume edibles without others noticing. Unlike smoking, which is associated with an odour
  4. Edibles result in a feeling of relaxation and euphoria
  5. Marijuana edibles contain cannabinoids that help to treat conditions like glaucoma, epilepsy, insomnia, and multiple sclerosis. CBD edibles are perfect for medical cannabis administration because of their low THC levels.

Benefits of Weed Edibles

Finding the Right Dosage

Are you in a dilemma about how much THC to consume? The amount of consumption will determine the potency of the edibles. Manufacturers will label an edible package with milligrams of THC/CBD per serving. Canadian authorities legalized cannabis edibles on the condition that they are consumed in controlled amounts, with a 10-milligram THC cap.

Edibles come in varying doses, as low as 0.5 milligrams of THC. A beginner can consume 2.5-5 milligrams of THC. The average edible will contain 10-15 milligrams of THC. The dosage is adequate for someone who is used to cannabis and wants to feel the stimulation for a few hours.

High doses of THC start at 20mg. Taking too much at once isn’t ideal because it may result in unwanted effects. Some heavy smokers can consume high-dose edibles to create more potent effects.

Potential Side Effects

Marijuana’s active ingredients influence edible side effects. 

Overconsumption of the cannabis product can cause side effects, as highlighted below:

THC Edibles

  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Increased heart rate
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Nausea and vomiting

CBD Edibles 

  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in appetite

 

How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick in?

With the legalization of marijuana in Canada, cannabis edibles have become more popular. However, edibles take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping. As a result, the sensations and experiences from consuming edibles tend to differ from that of other cannabis products.

An edible usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to kick in. but existing active ingredients may influence the onset. Products with high concentrations of THC will kick in faster. CBD-only edibles are non-psychoactive. Therefore, it would be difficult to identify the high effect.

Gum, lozenges, and lollipops are absorbed more quickly because they are sublingually absorbed. Edibles are ingested but not swallowed. The absorption occurs through the mouth’s mucus membrane. Therefore, the effects tend to appear faster.

Hard candies and suckers are absorbed once you start to suck on them. The effects appear faster as they kick in within 15-45 minutes.

Chewable edibles like cookies and gummies usually take longer to kick in since the digestive system absorbs them. The absorption first occurs in the digestive tract, and then the active ingredients enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver.

The active ingredients are metabolized in the liver before being released into the bloodstream and entering the brain. At this point, you can start to feel the effects. People with faster metabolisms will feel the impact more quickly.

Edibles don’t kick in immediately, so taking more after the first dose can be tempting. However, waiting at least 24 hours is advisable before taking another dose. 

Other factors affecting edibles onset time include:

  • Tolerance to cannabis
  • Weight
  • Mode of absorption
  • Metabolism
  • Diet and stomach content
  • Sex

 

How Long Do Edible High Last?

The high from edibles is more intense and lasts longer than the high from other cannabis products. An edible high lasts longer than smoking cannabis. The high impact lasts for about 7 to 12 hours in total.

The length of an edible high depends on the dose and potency of the product. Chewed and swallowed edibles will have a more prolonged high effect than orally absorbed products. For example, THC edibles induce an intense experience three hours after consumption. 

Individual factors affecting high duration include:

  • Tolerance to marijuana
  • Weight
  • Metabolism

Timeline of an Edible High

Average kick-in time

30 minutes to 1 hour

Waiting time

2 hours

Peak high

2 to 5 hours

Come down

7 to 12 hours

How Long Do Edible Highs Last?

How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?

The quantity consumed and prevailing temperatures influence how long weed edibles stay in your system. Edible high peaks in two to three hours upon consumption, whereas the muted effects last for at least 5 hours. THC tends to last for 1 to 4 hours.

THC from edibles can stay in your system for 24 hours and can be detected for 1 to 2 days in blood. Edibles can be seen in saliva for 1 to 3 days and in a urine sample for 3 to 30 days. In addition, drug tests will detect edibles in the hair follicle for up to 90 days.

 

Conclusion

Edibles are cannabis-infused foods or drinks and kick in 30 minutes to 1 hour upon ingestion. The peak high occurs 2 to 3 hours after administration, while the effects can persist for 7 to 12 hours. The impact of weed edibles will be determined by how much edible was consumed, the edible potency, digestive health, and the contents in a person’s stomach. Find low prices on popular cannabis edibles at sources like Weed List, where you can find some of the best products.  

 

References

  1. Daniel G. Barrus, Kristen L. Capogrossi, and Jenny L. Wiley. Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5260817/
  2. Drug Alert: Marijuana Edibles. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://www.justthinktwice.gov/article/drug-alert-marijuana-edibles
  3. Edmund Murphy. (2022, September 1). How Long Do THC Edibles Stay in Your System? Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://recovered.org/marijuana/edibles/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system
  4. Zuzili Supplements. (2022, October 26). Buy Zuzili Gummies and Pills Online. Available at: https://zuzili.com
  5. Nina Julia. (2022, August 30). How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System? Retrieved on October 15, 2022, from https://cfah.org/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system/Â