How Are Cannabis Edibles Processed in The Body?

In the past years, edibles have gained popularity as a smokeless cannabis consumption method. Just get a medical cannabis card, and choose from a wide range of options, such as cookies, gummies, brownies, teas, etc.

Recent data shows that the sales of cannabis-infused edibles increased during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s important to note that edibles don’t work the same way as smoking. The cannabinoids pass through the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream. Read on to learn more about marijuana edibles, how they work, and more.

How Are Edibles Processed?

Smoking delivers phytocannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) directly into the bloodstream. That means you receive medicinal effects, such as pain or inflammation relief immediately. But, when you eat marijuana, the phytocannabinoids are processed through the body’s digestive system. The liver metabolizes THC, thus converting it into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that provides more potent effects than THC. In the case of marijuana smoking, 11-hydroxy-THC isn’t produced.

Since edibles take longer to process, consumers have to wait for at least 30 minutes to feel the effects. In other words, marijuana edibles take anything between 30-90 minutes to kick in. Some foods & drinks may take even longer, depending on the type of product and levels of cannabinoids & terpenes. For instance, chewable products have a longer onset time than lollipops that are absorbed sublingually.

How long marijuana edibles last? Usually, edibles last 6-8 hours. However, the duration of effects depends on the type of edible you are using. So, when buying cannabis-infused edibles, you should check the label carefully.

Check How Much You Are Consuming

When using edibles, dosing is difficult. The reason is that they don’t kick in instantly. Many end up consuming too much, thus leading to overdose issues.

Moreover, edibles deliver stronger effects than smoking. A report by the Colorado Department of Revenue says that 1 mg of THC in edibles delivers is equivalent to 5.71 mg of THC in smokeable form.

So, you should carefully check the dose. If you are a beginner, start with a low dose, let’s say 5 mg of THC. Wait for some time and analyze the effects on your mind and body. If not satisfied, take another dose.

You Can Make Edibles at Home

Want to try your hand in making edibles at home? There’s a wide range of options available. The most popular ones are cannabutter, canna milk, and cannaoil. So, based on your customized requirements, you can make edibles.

When making edibles, you need to decarboxylate the flowers. It means cooking cannabis for about 215-225 degrees F for 45-60 minutes. Decarboxylation is the process of activating the active ingredients of cannabis, such as THC. It makes edibles more potent.

The process of making edibles involves mixing cannabis flowers/concentrates into the carrier by heating slowly. Then, the active compounds, such as THC and CBD are extracted, removing the unwanted plant material.

However, you need to be a lot more careful when dosing homemade edibles. This is because they may contain higher levels of THC, which may make you uncomfortable.

Access Cannabis Edibles Legally

With a medical cannabis card, you can legally access dispensaries that are licensed by the state government to sell marijuana edibles. Now, it has become very easy to apply for the card. See a doctor online using telemedicine technology and get MMJ recs in the email. Here’s the process-

Sign up for an account
Talk to a licensed doctor through HIPAA-compliant software
Receive MMJ recs in PDF format

Key Takeaways

Edibles are a great alternative to smoking, which is linked to lung problems and other health risks. Gummies, teas, brownies, etc. containing THC and CBD can be ingested directly to enjoy the medicinal effects. Unlike other consumption methods, edibles have a slow onset because they are processed through the stomach before reaching the bloodstream. Moreover, they last longer, thus are perfect for patients who need lasting relief, such as pain relief.

Edible effects depend on the levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. So, make sure you check the label before buying cannabis-infused foods or beverages. Moreover, dose edibles properly to experience the desired effects.

Apply for a new or medical cannabis card renewal online in 10 minutes today.