The method of consumption plays an important role in the medicinal effects you receive from cannabis. Smoking and vaping deliver cannabinoids into the bloodstream instantly while edibles take longer to kick in.
Related- What Happens in The Body When You Consume Edibles?
Which is better, depends totally on personal preferences. Inhaling cannabis is linked to lung problems; so many don’t enjoy it. Research says that ingesting cannabis is safer than smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on to learn some secrets about these two consumption methods. Also, we will talk about the complete process of getting a medical marijuana card Ontario CA online.
Edibles Deliver Stronger Effects
Cannabinoids are absorbed differently when they are inhaled and ingested. When inhaled; THC is absorbed directly into the bloodstream from where it’s supplied to different parts of the body.
On the other hand edibles are processed through the digestive system. THC is metabolized in the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC; a more potent form of THC. So, after eating edibles, you will feel stronger effects than what you receive from inhaling the herb.
When it comes to cannabis edibles, there’s a wide range of options available in snacks, chocolate bars, sodas, teas, brownies, mints, pizzas, etc. Each edible has different levels of THC and CBD.
Onset & Duration
Since edibles are metabolized by the stomach; they take time to reach the bloodstream and bind to receptors. Usually, cannabis-infused foods and beverages take 30-90 minutes to provide benefits, such as pain management, anxiety relief, etc. In some cases, the onset time is about 2 hours depending on the type of edible.
So, the secret of using edibles is to be patient. Cannabinoids take longer to kick in, and last longer than smoking or vaping. Due to this, individuals looking for lasting relief prefer edibles.
Different edibles may have different onset and duration. So, you should always read the label carefully, and check the concentration of THC and CBD. It’s good to seek professional help from a board-certified doctor regarding cannabis edibles right for your condition.
Dosing
Dosing can be a bit difficult in the case of edibles. This is because they don’t kick in instantly. As a result, you may end up consuming more THC, thus experiencing overdose issues. On the other hand, inhaled cannabis delivers instant effects, so you can dose as needed.
If you are using cannabis edibles for the first time, start slow. Usually, 10 mg is a standard dose you can start with. Don’t take two doses consecutively. Instead, wait for at least 120 minutes before you take the second dose.
Initially, you should start with low-THC strains. You can try different strains, and see which ones are working for your condition.
However, you have to be a lot more careful when using homemade edibles. Because they may contain higher levels of THC.
Ingesting Cannabis is Safer
When smoking, the combustion of the substance produces a wide range of harmful chemicals. According to the American Lung Association; smoke no matter whether it’s generated by burning wood, tobacco, or marijuana; contains a wide range of toxins and carcinogens, which can cause lung problems.
However, when you ingest cannabis, no combustion of the substance occurs, so no harmful chemicals. In other words, you can enjoy the medicinal effects of cannabinoids and terpenes without inhaling the smoke.
Key Takeaways
How you deliver cannabinoids into the body greatly affects the medicinal potential of cannabis. If you smoke the herb, chemical compounds get absorbed into the bloodstream instantly. In other words, inhaling cannabis delivers instant effects. When you ingest marijuana gummies, chocolate bars, brownies, etc; the cannabinoids are processed through the digestive system. THC gets converted into 11-hydroxy-THC; which provides more potent effects.
We recommend you to take a low dose of low-THC edibles, and see how it’s working in your body. You can adjust the dose as per your medical needs. Moreover, you can discuss your condition with a board-certified doctor for professional help regarding edibles, dosage, etc.
To buy high-potency cannabis edibles and flowers legally, apply for your medical marijuana card Ontario CA online. It takes less than 10 minutes. The process is-
- Sign up for an account online
- See a licensed doctor through the HIPAA-compliant software
- Receive MMJ recs in PDF via email