How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?
October 14, 2024
Our budtenders get this question all the time: how long does it take for edibles to kick in? For most people, edibles can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to start working. Unlike smoking, where the effects are almost immediate, edibles take longer because the THC has to be digested and processed by your body.
If you’re new to consuming cannabis edibles, this delay can sometimes be confusing or frustrating. However, understanding how edibles work can help you manage your expectations and get the most out of the experience. In this guide, you’ll learn all about edibles, how they work, what’s the onset time, and more.
How Do Edibles Work?
The way cannabis edibles work is quite different from smoking. When you consume an edible, it passes through the gastrointestinal tract and is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it travels to the liver, where it’s metabolized into 11-hydroxytetrahydrocannabinol (11-hydroxy-THC or 11-OH-THC), which interacts with the endocannabinoid system and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. This form of THC is not only more potent but also appears in higher concentrations in the bloodstream compared to smoking, which explains why edibles can feel stronger and last longer.1
When you smoke or vape cannabis, it enters the lungs and is absorbed directly into your bloodstream, leading to near-immediate effects. This difference in how the body processes edibles vs smoking explains why edibles take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping cannabis.2
Why Do Edibles Take Longer to Feel Than Smoking?
The delay in feeling the effects of edibles compared to smoking cannabis comes down to the digestion process. When you smoke or vape THC products, it quickly enters your bloodstream through the lungs, leading to almost immediate effects. On the other hand, edibles require THC to pass through the digestive system and be metabolized by the liver, resulting in a slower onset.3 This is why some people feel the effects of edibles 30 to 90 minutes after consumption.4 So it’s important to be patient, especially if you’re new to edibles, as it’s easy to take too much if the effects haven’t kicked in right away.
How Long Does It Take for Edibles to Work?
In general, edibles take between 30 to 90 minutes to work, but several factors can influence how quickly you feel the effects. The maximum effect usually hits around two to three hours after consumption, and the overall duration of the high can last several hours.5 Your experience depends on a variety of factors, including the dosage, your stomach contents, and your cannabis tolerance.6
Dosage
The dosage of an edible plays a significant role in how quickly it takes effect. A higher dose may kick in faster, but if you’re a beginner when it comes to consuming cannabis, it’s best to start with a microdose (2.5-5 milligrams or less) and work your way up. This helps you gauge how your body reacts without overdoing it and ensures you have a positive experience.7
Stomach Contents
What you’ve eaten before consuming edibles can also impact how quickly the cannabis takes effect.8 Eating a meal before having an edible can delay the onset, while high-fat foods can enhance the effects by helping your body absorb the THC more efficiently.9 If you’re aiming for a fast-acting experience, it’s best to avoid large meals right before your edible.
Tolerance
Your cannabis tolerance plays a role in how fast edibles kick in. Regular cannabis enthusiasts may have a higher tolerance, which can delay or reduce the intensity of the effects. This happens because the CB1 receptors in your brain become less sensitive to THC over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. Your personal biology and metabolism also affect how quickly edibles work and how long they last.10
How Long Do the Effects of Edibles Last?
Once edibles kick in, the effects can last anywhere from 4-12 hours, which is much longer than the effects of smoking cannabis. This longer duration is one of the main reasons many people prefer edibles over smoking. The exact length of time the effect lasts depends on your dose and tolerance. If you take a higher dose, you can expect the effects to last longer. For those with lower tolerances, even a small amount of THC can result in long-lasting effects.11
Tips for Taking Edibles for the First Time
If you’re new to edibles, it’s crucial to approach them with care and patience. Here are a few tips to ensure you have a positive experience:
Start Low
If it’s your first time trying edibles, start with a microdose of roughly 2.5-5 milligrams of THC until you know how your body reacts. Low-dose edibles like mints or drops are a great starting point. The effects can take time to set in, but starting low helps prevent you from having an overwhelming experience.12
Be Patient
Edibles can take up to 90 minutes to start working. So resist the urge to take more if you don’t feel the effects right away. Patience is key to consuming edibles safely, especially for cannabis newbies.13
Pick the Right Setting
When consuming edibles for the first time, make sure you’re in a comfortable, familiar environment. The right setting can help ease any anxiety and make the experience more enjoyable.
FAQs About Edibles
Trying cannabis edibles for the first time or need a refresher on how they work? We’ve got you covered! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about edibles:
Can I eat raw marijuana?
While you can eat raw marijuana, it won’t produce any psychoactive effects unless it’s been decarboxylated (heated) to activate the THC.
How long do tinctures take to work?
Tinctures typically work faster than edibles if you consume them sublingually (place the drops under your tongue) as they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. You may feel the effects in 15-30 minutes, compared to 30-90 minutes for edibles.
Does it take two hours to feel edibles?
It can take up to 90 minutes for edibles to kick in, but the exact time depends on various factors like dosage and your metabolism. So wait at least 90 minutes before you take more.
Choosing Edibles for You
When it comes to choosing edibles, the key is to find products that match your preferences and tolerance level. Whether you prefer fast-acting edibles, low-dose products, or specific flavors, there’s something out there for every cannabis enthusiast. Remember to start low, be patient, and enjoy the experience. And chat with your favorite LivWell budtender if you have any edible questions.
Sources:
1. “Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles,” National Library of Medicine, January 24, 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5260817/
2. “Edibles 101: How to consume edibles, benefits, effects, & more,” Leafly, February 4, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/edibles
3. “How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects of Cannabis?” Leafwell, https://leafwell.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-high
4. “Why Do Edibles Give You A Different High Than Smoking?” Vice, February 9, 2018, https://www.vice.com/en/article/edible-high-vs-smoke-high/
5. “Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids,” National Library of Medicine, 2003, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12648025/
6. “How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?” Healthline, February 7, 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in#onset-time
7. “How long do edibles take to kick in?” Leafly, May 9, 2024, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/edibles/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in
8. “How Food Intake Impacts Cannabis Consumption and Effects,” Veriheal, November 24, 2020, https://www.veriheal.com/blog/how-food-intake-impacts-cannabis-consumption-and-effects/
9. “Human Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Orally Administered Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Capsules Are Altered by Fed Versus Fasted Conditions and Sex Differences,” National Library of Medicine, December 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6922062/
10. “THC tolerance: what is it and why does it happen?” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/cannabis-and-your-body/thc-tolerance
11. “How long will a weed high last?” Leafly, September 23, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/how-long-will-a-weed-high-last
12. “Edible dosing for beginners: with dosage chart by milligrams,” Leafly, May 9, 2024, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/edibles/edible-dosing
13. “What are cannabis edibles and how do you consume them?” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/edibles
Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence. 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.
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