Cannabis edibles continue to grow in popularity. It’s easy to see why. They provide a tasty way for the cannabis curious, and even cannabis veterans, to discreetly use cannabis. And going smoke-free is attractive to those sensitive to smoke.

But there are differences when using cannabis that everyone should be aware of, and one of the biggest is the time it takes for the high from cannabis edibles to kick in. It’s especially important to know because it keeps people from eating too many edibles at one sitting. That easily can lead to people feeling too high. That’s not a good thing.

Factors In Cannabis Edibles That Influence When It Kicks In

Most cannabis edibles take between 30 minutes and an hour to kick in. The large window of time is necessary because so many factors influence the time it takes.

The first factor is the level of THC in the product. That varies from edible to edible. The top manufacturers of edible cannabis products typically list the level of THC on each package. Keep in mind that CBD products have minuscule to no trace of THC, so determining when they take effect is much more difficult.

A second factor is where THC from the edible is absorbed into the bloodstream. One of the reasons for the enduring popularity of lozenges and lollipops is that THC is absorbed sublingually (through the mucus membranes of the mouth). That means they typically get into your bloodstream faster.

Other edibles, such as gummies and cookies, take longer because the body absorbs them through the digestive system. They then enter the bloodstream, which transports them to the liver. The liver metabolizes the edible and releases it back into the bloodstream, where it travels to the brain and the effects are felt.

Factors In Your Body That Influence Impact of Edibles

Other factors that influence the time it takes to feel the impact of cannabis edibles involve you. They include:

• Weight
• Metabolism
• Gender
• How long it’s been since you ate
• Tolerance to the effects of cannabis

For example, a higher weight and a slower metabolism will lead to it taking longer to feel the effect of cannabis edibles. Men tend to take longer to feel the effects than women. And you feel the effects faster on an empty stomach.

Overall Effects of Cannabis Edibles

A study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy found that ingesting cannabis results in the following.

• The onset of effects happens about 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion
• The peak blood levels of THC don’t happen until about three hours later
• The effects can last as long as six hours

That’s important to know because there is also a lot of research on people eating too many edibles because they do not yet feel the effects of the dose they took a half hour ago. This is especially true for those who have smoked cannabis, where the effects are felt in minutes, and then try edibles.

Like everything else with cannabis, it’s best to do a little research before you partake. Eating edibles is perfectly safe and increasingly popular. But it’s smart to know what to expect.