Edibles

Edibles represent the largest and fastest-growing segment of the legal cannabis market, valued for their discretion, precise dosing, smoke-free consumption, and dramatically longer effect duration compared to inhalation. The pharmacology is meaningfully different from smoking or vaping: when cannabis is consumed orally, THC must pass through the digestive system and liver before entering the bloodstream. During this "first-pass metabolism," the liver converts delta-9-THC to 11-hydroxy-THC — a metabolite that crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily and produces more intense, body-heavy effects than the original THC. This explains why edibles often feel "stronger" than equivalent inhaled doses despite similar mg measurements. Effect timeline: onset 30-90 minutes (some users feel nothing for 2 hours, leading to dangerous re-dosing); peak 2-4 hours after consumption; duration 4-8 hours of significant effects, with residual effects lasting 12-24 hours; complete clearance from bloodstream may take 30+ days for chronic users. Standard dosing: 2.5mg THC for first-time users, 5mg for occasional users, 10mg for regular users, 25mg+ for high-tolerance users. Most US legal markets cap individual edible serving sizes at 5-10mg with package limits of 100mg total. Common edible categories: gummies (most popular, precise dosing, fast effect onset relative to other edibles), chocolates (slightly delayed but consistent effects), beverages (fastest onset edible category at 15-30 minutes due to liquid absorption), capsules (most precise dosing, latest onset), baked goods (slowest, longest duration, highest variability). Risks: delayed onset leads to over-consumption when users don't feel effects within 30 minutes and take more; pediatric exposure is the primary cannabis-related ER visit cause in legal states; "greening out" episodes are typically edibles rather than inhaled cannabis. Always wait 2 full hours before redosing.