Marijuana and weed edibles are the top alternatives for people who would like to enjoy the benefits of CBD and cannabis without smoking or vaping, but it can be tough to tell how effective they can be in comparison to their smoky counterparts. It is also so much easier to ‘overdose’ from consuming edibles, causing some very uncomfortable side effects (you know, the what-happened-last-night types).
To avoid all worst-case scenarios, here is our expert guide letting you in on the insider answers to the question that has been burning through your mind; how long do edibles last?
How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?
Edibles work in different ways for different people. There are a ton of factors that go into how long it will take before those gummies or weed brownies hits.
First, you must consider your personal metabolism and digestive system. Naturally, some people process food very fast. In that case, it will take a shorter time for the edible to digest and enter the bloodstream. For others, it takes a bit longer for this process to be complete.
Taking edibles on an empty or full stomach can also make a difference in how much time it takes to kick in. If you take the cookie after a meal, it will have to compete with the rest of your food for digestion.
The form your edible comes in will also play a part in the kick-in time. Based on science, fat-based edibles like chocolate bars and cookies tend to be absorbed faster. So keep that in mind next time you’re shopping for some edibles.
The general rule of thumb is if you take an edible, you should wait an hour or two to allow the effects to sink in. Don’t be in a hurry to go for a second round! Even if you’re convinced that the edible won’t hit you – trust us, it will.
Photo by R+R Medicinals on Unsplash
What are Edibles?
Common Forms of Edibles
Marijuana edibles are usually produced in the form of confectionaries that are already pretty common and widely consumed. These can be:
Brownies
Cookies
Different forms of edibles mean that each type can have varying THC levels. A dose can go as low as 0.5 milligrams (mg) THC. If you are new to the world of edible arrangements, the word around town is you should go for doses between 2.5mg to 5 mg of THC.
A 10–15 mg of THC dose can work for veteran smokers and edible consumers. Anything above 20mg is reserved for really (really) experienced cannabis consumers who have built a tolerance.
How long do the effects of edibles last?
The effects of marijuana edibles can last for up to 6 hours, depending on how high the consumed dose was. Marijuana edibles are consumed instead of inhaled. Their effects can usually be stronger and longer than what you would get from smoking. When you smoke the high can last for several hours. From edibles, especially the baked ones, your body can feel their effects for up to 12 hours from one single dose.
It happens this way because marijuana edibles go through the digestive system instead of the respiratory system like smoking. The THC is broken down in the stomach and carried into the liver where it is converted to 11-hydroxy THC. The effect of 11-hydroxy THC is far stronger than from smoking THC.
How long do edibles last in your system?
This table summarizes the timeline if you're wondering how long does an edible high last:
Apart from how long the present effects of the marijuana edibles last, the THC content can also last for up to one month in the bloodstream.
How long you are going to have the THC in your blood will depend on the dose of the edibles you have eaten, and how often you consume marijuana edibles, and cannabis. Remember that for your next drug test.
How long do edibles stay fresh?
You might be considering stocking up on one or two of your favorite cannabis edibles, and you are curious about how long they will take to go bad. Well, your marijuana edible will last as long as its regular counterpart will, although there are one or two things you can do to elongate the potency period.
To keep your marijuana edibles fresh, store them in your refrigerators in airtight containers. What you want to achieve is to avoid any contact with light, air and prevent bacteria from growing on the edibles. If you can’t finish your edible in one sitting, portion it out and store the rest in sealed, airtight containers or ziplock bags
How long do edible gummies last in your fridge?
Marijuana edibles are created in the form of regular confectionaries such as sweets and candy. So, they typically have the same shelf life and qualities as their normal versions. When you buy edible gummies that you intend to stock in the fridge, always check their sell-by dates. However, always try to stock no more than 6 months ahead.
To preserve the THC content in your edible gummies, store them away from oxygen or very acidic and basic environments. Also, pay attention to the other non-CBD ingredients in your edible and the best practices for preserving them.
Conclusion
Marijuana edibles are very potent alternatives if you want to get high without the smoke. Before you embark on your adventure, make sure you are familiar with your personal metabolism and how long your body takes to process and digest food. Opting for baked edibles can also help you get high faster, but be mindful of the doses that you take to prevent any uncomfortable scenarios. If you are looking for medical benefits as well, it is shown that marijuana consumables have a lot of healthy effects on the body so this covers you as well.
And if you are in Washington DC and you need to get your hand on some of those edible babies, The Garden DC is your one-stop shop for all smoke and CBD needs. Visit our store or enjoy online preordering with our wide selection of weed edibles. To view our menu, visit the website, and text 420 to (202) 815-5663 to place your order