Edibles vs. Smoking

Edibles and smoking are easily the two giants of the marijuana world. At least when we’re talking about popular perceptions of cannabis. When you see weed in the media, on TV or film, you’ll likely see one of these methods – despite all the other wonderful options on offer.

But, other than the obvious, what are the differences between the two?

Well, cannabis contains THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain to achieve that highly sought-after “high”. Interestingly, different consumption methods can change how the THC interacts with the brain to provide entirely different experiences.

So, choosing between methods is arguably one of the easiest ways to personalize your cannabis experience.

But let’s get into which method is for you…

 

Edibles – how do they work?

When you hear edibles, most people conjure an image of brownies. This makes sense – pot brownies are fantastic – but they’re only one small piece of what edibles have to offer!

There’s so many infused recipes and products out in the market now that basically anything can pack a hit. From hot and cold drinks to candy and even savory meals. And it’s easier than ever too!

But how do edibles provide a different experience than simply smoking your cannabis flower?

Firstly, edibles can get you the same highs as smoking weed – sometimes even more intense! So, there’s no need to worry about choose brownies over a joint when considering this.

But, when ingesting cannabis through an edible, the process goes through some big changes.

An edible has to pass through the digestive system. Because of this, the process can be a lot slower as the THC will take longer to interact with your brain. This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

The good news is, once it does get there – your high will be more intense than a smoker’s. It will also last longer as the THC’s half-life is extended!

So, remember to relax and be patient – the hit will come eventually, and you don’t want to run into any issues of overconsumption.

 

Smoking – how does it work?

Smoking probably seems more straight-forward for a lot of people. After all, it’s been around forever. It’s easy and ubiquitous – especially with pre-rolled products. And it’s one of the most popular ways to enjoy weed.

But smoking weed provides a very different experience than ingesting it. And here’s why…

When you inhale cannabis smoke, while some THC will remain in your lungs, around 50% of the cannabinoid will be immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. This allows the THC to make its way to your brain much faster. So that interaction with your neurotransmitters is pretty quick.

You should expect to feel that euphoric “high” in about 1-5 minutes. This should then trail off over the next 1-3 hours.

 

So, what dosage do you need?

As you might expect, you’re going to need different dosages with each method you try.

With smoking, it’s a lot easier. Because you get an immediate hit from the cannabis, you have far more control over your dosage and your high. So, if the dosage is too low, you know you can take another hit. If it’s too high, then you can simply stop and wait for the high to pass.

This is part of what makes smoking one of the more desirable ways to consume weed for people just starting out.

Edibles are a bit more complicated. Because the effects come on much slower, it’s harder to control the exact dosage you’ll need. Even veterans can have a difficult time figuring this out.

In part, this is because digestion and metabolism are unique to each individual. Some people will digest much faster than others. This means if you’re experiencing your high in a group, you’re likely to see the THC take effect at very different speeds.

And this can lead to overconsumption. If you’re impatient, then you might conclude that ingesting more will move things along. This just isn’t true and can result in a bad experience as when the high finally hits it can be too strong.

So, just stick with your ideal dosage and wait for the high to come.

 

Pros and Cons

To find the right method for you, it’s important to consider what you’re looking to get out of your high.

Are you looking for something quick or slow? Strong or a little weaker?

Let’s go through it.

 

Edible Pros:

• Effects last longer
• Stronger hit
• You can personalize the taste to suit you
• Minimal odor or waste
• No equipment necessary

 

Smoking Pros:

• Much quicker to take effect
• Can use the exact THC levels you want
• The effect of different strains is more pronounced

 

Edible Cons:

• Harder to gauge exact doses of THC
• Takes longer for the effects to kick in – this can lead to overconsumption
• The strain of cannabis is less pronounced
• It’s a much longer process when making the edibles yourself

 

Smoking Cons:

• The smell can linger more
• Harder for people who aren’t used to smoking
• Can require equipment – lighters, bongs, rolling paper, etc.

 

What method works for you?

It’s easy to see the differences between smoking and ingesting cannabis. Each individual will have their own preferences and whichever your preference, it’s a valid decision.

Edibles are far easier to get into for avid bakers or those that aren’t used to smoking. While smoking might be an easier option for those who don’t want the hassle of creating their own edibles. It’s all about preference.

You can take the first step into the world of edibles by purchasing our pre-made candy or drinks. Or you could take a look at the different strands we have to offer.

And, as always, if you need any further help, then don’t hesitate to contact us – online or in store!