
Fast Acting Edibles: What They Are & How They Work
When it comes to preserving your lungs, edibles are the obvious alternative to smoking flower. But it’s not necessarily a seamless swap. While smoking or vaping produces effects right away, most marijuana edibles take between 45 and 90 minutes to kick in. Edibles also last longer, anywhere from four to six hours, and deliver what many people describe as a more intense “body high.” In other words, ingesting cannabis products are a safe, potent way to unlock the effects of THC… but it's not for everyone, or every occasion. So what’s the health-conscious bud-lover to do?
A New Kind of Fast-Acting Edible

Fortunately, recent advances in cannabis technology have made it possible to get all the perks of inhalation in edible form. With an onset time of just 5-15 minutes and a duration of 2-4 hours, Wana Quick Gummies are the first fast-acting edible option to deliver a “smoker’s high.”
Here’s how they work.
The Science of Smoking
Why do cannabis edibles produce such different effects from vapes, pipes, joints, bongs, and so on? It all comes down to metabolism.
When you inhale cannabis, it enters your bloodstream immediately as Delta-9-THC, which produces a light, often fairly cerebral “head high” that kicks in almost instantly and typically wears off in 2-4 hours.
Edibles & "First-Pass Metabolism"
When you ingest cannabis, on the other hand, it has to travel through your digestive tract and eventually your liver, where it undergoes something called first-pass metabolism. This, of course, takes time – anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. But it also changes the cannabis on a chemical level. The liver converts Delta-9-THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is what produces the long-lasting “body high” many people associate with edibles.
So when looking for an ingestible alternative that truly compares to smoking, the challenge is finding an edible that can somehow skip first-pass metabolism and deliver Delta-9-THC to your bloodstream for a faster, shorter “head high.” That's where Wana Quick Gummies come in.
Gummies that Feel Like Smoking Flower
Already a cannabis industry leader in the classic edibles space, Wana Brands spent two years searching for the perfect technology to deliver a gummy that feels like smoking flower. Eventually, Wana partnered with the trailblazing company Azuca to harness an innovative new technique called Thermodynamic Individual Molecular Encapsulation. Let’s just call it “TiME” for short.
How “TiME” Works
Even abbreviated, the name might sound intimidating, but in principle, it’s fairly simple. TiME breaks each cannabis molecule down into a minuscule “nano-particle.” Each of these particles is then encapsulated in a thin water-friendly layer.
THC is a Fat in its Natural State
This is important because THC in its natural state is a fat. The human body is made of roughly 70% water. If you’ve ever tried adding a few drops of olive oil to a glass of H20, you know that fat and water don’t mix. So it takes a lot of work (and time) for your body to break down and absorb the THC in traditional edibles.
Fast Acting Gummies Bypass the Liver

But by wrapping the fatty THC molecules in a water-soluble layer, TiME works like a disguise that tricks your body into absorbing them more efficiently. Not only do Wana Quick Gummies reach your bloodstream faster (usually within 5-15 minutes), but they skip first-pass metabolism in the liver altogether. No first-pass metabolism means no conversion from Delta-9 to 11-Hydroxy-THC, which means you experience the same kind of high you’d get from smoking a joint!
It’s All About Options
There are plenty of reasons cannabis users might prefer a traditional edibles experience to a fast-acting one. For example, the longer-lasting desired effects and “body high” that accompany Wana’s Classic Gummies are ideal for go-with-the-flow activities such as an afternoon relaxing at home, or a leisurely outdoor adventure.
But even those who enjoy these traditional intoxicating effects might sometimes find occasion for a faster-acting option. With their rapid onset and shorter duration, Wana Quick Gummies are great for scheduled events like movies, concerts, or social gatherings with friends. So great, in fact, that Wana has released them in three “Happy Hour-inspired" flavors, each with its class-specific effects: inspiring Peach Bellini Sativa, relaxing Pina Colada Indica, and a balanced Strawberry Margarita 1:1 CBD/THC Hybrid.
At the end of the day, there’s no wrong way to consume your cannabis. But if you’re looking to combine the best of both worlds – edible and inhalable – fast acting gummies may be an option for you.
Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
This content is not intended as medical advice. The information provided is meant to encourage cannabis education, not replace direct patient-healthcare professional relationships. Always consult your primary care physician or other healthcare provider prior to using cannabis products for treatment of a medical condition. Any statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products are only available where consumption of cannabis is legal.