Primary Differences Between Eating Cannabis Edibles and Smoking Marijuana

The legalization of recreational marijuana consumption in Washington state has opened up the market to an entire range of innovative products and devices. Navigating the complex world of modern cannabis consumption can be a little bit overwhelming for some consumers, though. This article lays out a few of the primary differences between two of the most popular ingestion methods: smoking flowers, and consuming cannabis-infused edibles.

Absorption of THC

The edibles on offer at a consumer’s local cannabis dispensary offer a great alternative to smoking the plant, but many people find that edibles affect them differently. This is because when cannabis is consumed orally via infused edibles, the THC it contains is metabolized by the liver, converting it into an active metabolite that is more effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier. This leads to stronger and longer-lasting results.

Effects and Duration

Because the duration of the cannabinoid’s effects is so much longer when it is eaten rather than smoked, it’s always a good rule of thumb to start with a small dose and wait for the effects to kick in before ingesting more. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the consumer’s metabolic speed. It’s important to wait for the effects to kick in because while in small doses edibles produce fairly mild and comfortable results, taken in large amounts they produce an almost psychedelic effect.

Dosing Difficulties

A standard dose for edibles sold in a cannabis dispensary is 10mg of THC. One of the many advantages to purchasing edibles from a local dispensary is that this standard dosing makes it easier for consumers to determine how much THC they are actually ingesting. Determining dosage with smoked cannabis is generally much easier, largely in thanks to its almost instantaneous effects.

A Healthier Alternative

Edibles are generally considered to be a healthier way to ingest cannabis than smoking, primarily because they do not pose the same risks of lung damage. In addition to being healthier to consume, edibles also provide longer-lasting relief of chronic pain.

Many Delicious Options

Gone are the days when edible cannabis could only be found in the form of sugary and stereotypical pot brownies. Modern dispensaries like Sparket offer a wide variety of edible goods, including confectionery treats, mints, fruit chews, butter, capsules, beverages, and more. Consumers can go here to check out their full menu, which conveniently includes things like THC and CBD content and potency ratings, or place an order online for in-store pickup at a later date.