Dosing edibles sometimes seems like as much of a sweet science as boxing. Similarly, taking too many can feel like you’ve just duked it out for ten rounds with a prime George Foreman.
It’s not only taking too many edibles that can steer you wrong—many people don’t dose enough to feel the effects (and the related benefits).
We’re not speaking out against edibles here. Quite the opposite, in fact. We love edibles because the correct dose taken at the appropriate time can lead to a once-in-a-lifetime experience that expands your mind and opens you to new worlds.
Nonetheless, edible dosages take time to perfect; even once you’ve mastered them, you must manage the amount you take based on your growing tolerance.
Conversely, smoking cannabis is relatively simple, and the related effects are less enduring.
Below, we’ll delve into the differences between the effects of edibles and smoking and why both are so different.
Differences Between Eating And Smoking Cannabis
Outside of the manners of dosing being entirely different (the acts of eating an edible versus smoking a joint, blunt, or bong), the immediate effects of smoking and eating cannabis diverge drastically.
The bodily sensations in and of themselves are unique. Smoking affects your lungs, and the act of inhaling cannabis brings with it pleasures and sensations that can never be equaled by eating.
Alternatively, eating offers unique tactile experiences. Gnashing on cannabis-infused food brings tastes and flavors vastly different from what you’d pull from a spliff, blunt, bong, or pipe.
In recent years, edible-makers have fine-tuned recipes to improve the taste of cannabis-infused eats.
Still, many cannabis veterans will tell you the taste of cannabis is better off inhaled as smoke or vapor than eaten as food. At the same time, edibles are an ideal option for those who don’t like what smoke inhalation does to their lungs.
The next crucial difference between smoking and eating cannabis is the immediate aftermath.
You are almost immediately inebriated after smoking.
There’s not much of a waiting period—maybe a few minutes at most, but the delayed onset of inebriation isn’t much of a factor.
Depending on how much you smoke or how potent the strain is, the high can be adventurous or even discomforting (if you overdo it), but it’s relatively mild. At most, you’ll feel the most intense effects for an hour or maybe a bit longer—but a more negative experience won’t linger.
On the other hand, edibles take a long time to hit. In the immediate aftermath, you must sit and wait for the effects to take hold. This period can last anywhere between thirty minutes and two hours [1].
An edible high comes in waves—so while you could start feeling the effects relatively quickly, the apex of your high could come around four hours after you dosed.
The effects of edibles can last up to twelve hours but typically top out at around six if you properly modulate your dosage—that’s why many people take edibles for sleep [2].
Also, the high from edibles is often much more intense and discombobulating than the high from smoking. Below, we’ll delve into why:
What Makes Edibles So Different From Smoking Cannabis?
We won’t lie—some people don’t respond to edibles.
We’re unsure why, but they’ll eat some gummies and go on and on about how it didn’t do anything to them. It’s hard to say whether it’s a phenomenon or if they didn’t eat enough. Perhaps the edibles they’re eating aren’t well-made or potent.
In our experience, people who claim edibles don’t do anything to them eventually meet their maker.
They find the right edible, take the appropriate dose, and soar higher in the skies than ever before.
The individuals we’ve described above are outliers. Most people come to realize the power-punch of edibles during their first experience.
Edibles hit so hard because your liver processes edibles and produces 11-Hydroxy metabolite—five times more psychoactively potent than THC [3]. This metabolite then travels to your bloodstream and brain.
The principle is decidedly uncomplicated when you break it down to its basest elements. When you smoke cannabis, it’s not solid—it’s an impermanent vapor that intertwines with your lungs. Naturally, the effects are fleeting.
With edibles, you digest them as you would any meal. They’re also solid, robust pieces of food that you must break down, digest, and metabolize. You’re absorbing edibles into your body, where they stick around, marinate, and get to know you.
Necessary Precautions With Edibles
Responsible cannabis consumption applies to both edibles and smoking.
While smoking is far less potent than edibles, that doesn’t mean a joint, bong, or blunt can’t knock the stuffing out of you.
Still, edible dosages require even more caution than smoking. The best practice is to start low to gauge your tolerance and adjust accordingly.
The universal suggestion for beginner dosages is nothing over 5mg of THC—and that’s for seasoned smokers. Those who don’t smoke much but want to experiment with edibles should start even lower, at around 2.5mg.
You might hear about people eating 100mg at once, but such a fearsome tolerance builds incrementally over a long period.
Even then, experienced edible enthusiasts typically don’t go above 30 to 50mg—and that’s pushing it.
The suggested maximum dosage is 10mg; we recommend not exceeding this amount. Pushing further can be very uncomfortable unless you’re well-practiced and have fine-tuned your tolerance over the long term.
Are Edibles Legal In Illinois?
Yes—recreational edibles are legal in Illinois for adults 21 and over.
Anyone 21-plus can carry cannabis products (including edibles) infused with up to 500mg of THC [4].
This distinction is crucial because many states that have legalized recreational cannabis flower for adults haven’t legalized edibles.
Thus, anybody traveling out of state should leave their edibles behind—and then act according to the cannabis laws that apply to wherever you visit.
Enhance Your Edible Experience With Top-Tier Products
Purchasing your edibles from a trusted dispensary, like Stash Dispensaries’ Peru and Orland Hills locations, ensures an enjoyable experience.
We only carry high-quality brands that cultivate cannabis products our customers love. Our assortment of edibles offers safe, pleasant, and mind-expanding effects. Check out our online store today!
Sources
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/public-safety/csu/cannabis-edibles-safe-use-fact-sheet.pdf
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-long-do-edibles-last
- https://www.delish.com/food/a53577/edibles-versus-smoking-marijuana-science/
- https://www.prevention.org/lets-talk-cannabis/the-law/#:~:text=Illinois%20residents%20age%2021%20years,products%20(including%20edibles%20or%20tinctures)
