According to research, the effects of cannabis edibles begin to kick in after 30 minutes to an hour of ingestion. The high reaches its peak within two to three hours of consumption, whereas muted effects usually persist for five hours or so after that. Moreover, if edibles are consumed in small amounts, this ‘come down’ can be relatively faster and normality may resume within six hours after they are taken. However, if the dose is particularly high, the effects may last much longer.
This is just a general explanation. In reality, it is going to be more complicated than that. It is because the effects of cannabis edibles differ depending on the quantity consumed, the THC potency of the edible, and the digestive health of the consumer. So to understand the effects of edibles in more detail, it is important to know how their potency and contents affect the time they take to kick in and determine how long their high will last.
How long do cannabis edibles take to kick in?
Generally, the effects of a cannabis edible begin to kick in anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes. However, the exact time may vary depending on the edible you are consuming, as well as your gender, age, food intake, and metabolism. For some edibles, like suckers or candies, the absorption may start while you suck on them, and as a result, the effects may begin to appear faster. A study found out that hard candies may begin to kick in within 15 to 45 minutes, whereas other cannabis edibles may take somewhere between 60 to 180 minutes.
When compared with vaping or smoking marijuana products, edibles are relatively slower to produce effects. It may take some time for the effects of an edible to appear, whereas the effects of vaping or smoking cannabis products are almost instant. Consuming an edible means that the ingredients it contains, such as THC, have to pass through your digestive systems before entering the bloodstream, rather than directly entering your lungs.
People with fast metabolism may begin to feel the effects quicker as compared to those with slow metabolism. It is because their body can digest the edible they consume faster. Similarly, consuming an edible on an empty stomach can also speed up the time it takes for its effects to kick in.
How long do edibles last?
While cannabis edibles may be relatively slower to kick in as compared to vaping or smoking, their effects tend to last much longer. On average, a dose from an edible lasts for 6 hours or more, with the peak effects occurring within 3 hours of ingestion. However, the exact time will vary depending on various factors, such as the tolerance level and metabolism of the person, and the dosage he consumes.
Taking a very potent or large dose may cause a longer and stronger high, as your body will take more time to process its active ingredients out of the system. The tolerance levels of individuals also play an important part here. Individuals who are not used to marijuana products may experience stronger effects for a longer time as compared to individuals who regularly consume marijuana. The tolerance level of a person will also fluctuate depending on how much marijuana he has ingested or smoked within a period.
In general, the effects of an edible will last about 6 to 8 hours. However, if the person is sensitive to cannabis, the high may last 8 to 12 hours, and if he has a high tolerance, it may only last about 4 hours.