As the use of hemp strains containing less than 0.3% THC became legal, edibles became increasingly popular. These products are food items. What’s so special about them? They contain cannabinoid compounds.

There is a large variety of edibles. They come in the form of gummies, brownies, and various other food products. Edibles contain mainly 2 cannabinoid compounds, THC (Delta 9) and CBD. 

If you’re considering trying edibles and aren’t sure that they give off the same effects as compared to other products, then read more about them below.

Onset Time For Edibles

The onset time for edibles ranges from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on a number of factors.

The first factor is the concentration of cannabinoids available in the product. Edibles containing high potencies of Delta 9 may act on the body faster.

However, it may be harder to tell when the effects kick in for CBD-only edibles. This is because CBD doesn’t have intoxicating properties like Delta 9.

Onset times are also affected by the body’s metabolism. Those with faster metabolisms may feel the effects faster than those with a slower metabolism. 

The time for edibles effects to kick in also depends on the body regions where edibles are being digested and absorbed into the blood. 

• Products Being Absorbed Sublingually

Edibles such as gums, lollipops, and lozenges are placed in the mouth under the tongue for some duration before swallowing. In such edibles, the cannabinoids are absorbed through the mucus membranes of the mouth. This is called sublingual absorption, which has a shorter onset time

• Products Absorbed Through The Digestive System

Cookies, brownies, and gummies are edibles that require chewing before being swallowed. Such edibles are absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive tract. The blood transports the digested substances to the liver.

The liver further breaks down these substances before releasing them back into the bloodstream. Then the blood transports these substances to the brain and the effects take place.

As the onset time is longer for edibles, one may be tempted to take more than their prescribed dose. If you want to take another dose, wait at least 24 hours after the previous dose.

How Long Do Edibles Last In The Bloodstream?

Edibles as compared to other cannabinoid products take longer to leave the system, around 6 hours or even more. The effects reach their peak 3 hours after consumption. 

Just like the onset time, the duration of the high induced by edibles varies by a couple of factors.

Factors That Affect Duration Of Effects

• Potency

Eating edibles with high potencies of cannabinoids can bring stronger effects that last longer. The body will take more time to expel the cannabinoid out of the body.

• Metabolism

A person with a slower metabolism may feel the effects for a longer time as compared to a person with a faster metabolism.

• Tolerance Levels

Beginners or irregular users of cannabinoids may experience stronger effects for a longer time than regular users, provided they use the same dosage. The tolerance levels fluctuate with the number of edibles a person has consumed over a period of time.  

Overall, it’s difficult to predict the duration of the effects caused by edibles. This is because it depends on the nature of a person’s body. 

Amount Of Edibles To Consume Daily

Various edible suppliers mention the amount of THC or CBD in a single serving on product labels. For example, one gummy piece contains 25 mg of Delta 9. 

Other edible manufacturers provide the total amount of cannabinoids that an edible package contains. For the above example, if a pack contains 20 Delta 9 gummies, then the total Delta 9 content will be 500 mg. 

For edibles such as brownies and cookies, this can seem confusing. Sometimes, package labels may show dosage information for a portion of the edible.

Before eating an edible, it’s recommended to always read the packaging label. Search for the THC or CBD dosage per serving, and find out whether the serving guide is for the whole food item or only a fraction.

Determining the dosage of cannabinoids is difficult when it comes to edibles. If you’re trying edibles for the first time, then it’s recommended to start with a lower potency. Gradually after trial and testing, increase the potency until you find the sweet spot.

Here are general dosing guides for the consumption of CBD and Delta 9 edibles.

CBD Consumption

If you’re a beginner, start with low doses of CBD edibles. 

The recommended dose is between 2.5 – 10 mg. Through trial and testing, you can increase your dose until you achieve the desired effects. 

THC Consumption

Delta 9 dosage for smoking and edibles is different. Hence, Delta 9 in edible form may bring stronger effects.

It was discovered in a 2015 report published by the Department of Colorado Revenue that smoking 5.71 mg of Delta 9 gave a similar high when compared to eating 1 mg of Delta 9.

Whether you have experience with other Delta 9 products or not, start eating THC edibles from a lower dosage. With time, gradually increase edibles dosage until you achieve the desired results.

Below is a table that shows THC edibles dose ranges for effects of different intensities.

THC Dosage Of Edibles	Strength of Effects
10-15 mg	mild
15-30 mg	moderate
Above 30 mg	strong

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can Edibles Expire?

Cannabinoids degrade slowly with time, however other ingredients in an edible may slow down or delay the spoiling process. Different foods have different expiration times. For example, brownies or cookies can perish quicker as compared to hard candy pieces.  

Once an edible packet is opened, you can store it in the fridge to extend its shelf life. Edibles containing dairy products can spoil easily. It’s best to store them in the fridge to prevent spoiling.

Before opening an edibles package, check the expiry date if mentioned on the label. Get rid of expired products as they can cause you more harm than good.

• How To Reduce Onset Time Of Edibles?

Eating edibles on an empty stomach can shorten the time taken for them to kick in. However, this isn’t advised for people who are trying edibles for the first time.

• Can You Fly With Edibles?

No, it’s forbidden under federal law to fly with edibles. According to the Transportation Security Administration, carrying hemp-derived products on a plane is illegal.

• Do THC Edibles Kick In Quicker Than Smoking THC?

No, edibles kick in slower than smoking Delta 9. The onset time for smoking Delta 9 is just 2 to 10 minutes, whereas the onset time for Delta 9 edibles is between 30 to 60 minutes.

Takeaway – How Long Do Edibles Stay In Your System?

Edibles take a longer time to act on the body as compared to consuming other cannabinoid products. Whereas, the duration of their effects is longer as compared to other cannabinoid products. 

How long an edible lasts in a system depends on the nature of a person’s body and the dosage consumed. Higher dosages cause strong effects and the cannabinoid stays in the body for a longer duration. A person’s metabolism rate also plays a role in increasing or decreasing the edibles’ effects duration.