Edibles Consumption 101
written By Maha Haq, M.S.
Cannabis edibles have been steadily increasing in popularity and demand since the start of 2020. Both cannabis connoisseurs and new consumers have been indulging in cannabis edibles, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic due to heightened sensitivity around respiratory health. According to a report on MJBizDaily, edible sales increased from $767 million in 2019 to $1.23 billion in 2020 across seven, adult-use states. The most popular edible product within California and Nevada continues to be gummies, as found on Headset’s cannabis sales data. This can be attributed to the ease and discreet nature of consuming edibles, especially gummies -- they’re approachable, portable, dosable, and a delicious treat.
How cannabis is consumed has an impact on its effects. Inhaling cannabis, whether by smoking or vaporization, is linked to a faster onset but a shorter duration of effect. Oral administration, like eating edibles, is associated with a delayed onset but a longer duration of effect. This means that smoking or vaping hits quicker but the effects go away more quickly too, and edibles hit slower but the effects stick around longer.
Bioavailability is the amount of substance available for your body to use. When comparing the bioavailability of different consumption methods, inhalation entails a rapid peak in effects during the first few minutes and then quickly declines. With edibles, there is a gradual rise in effects, then a mild plateau a couple hours later before it declines.
Because of how edibles are metabolized, consuming cannabis orally leads to stronger psychoactive and euphoric effects than with other form factors like smoking or vaping. Oral cannabis ingestion is unique in that it’s one of the only methods of consumption which allow for the liver to metabolize cannabinoids; this is beneficial for those expecting consistent effects through precisely dosed products. Eating edibles may also serve as a healthier alternative to smoking, so you can enjoy the benefits of cannabis while taking a little extra care of your lungs.
Pharmacokinetics of Edibles (aka how cannabis behaves in the body over time) ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion)
Orally consumed cannabis, like in edibles, is processed by our body through absorption, distribution, metabolization, and excretion of the edible’s components like THC; this pharmacokinetic process is also known as “ADME.” As mentioned, edible consumption is associated with delayed onset, but longer overall duration of effect. Edibles are safe to consume on a full or empty stomach, but the effects will differ. The effects of the edibles are stronger and quicker on an empty stomach, while you can expect it to take longer to feel the effect on a full stomach, and it will last longer but will be less intense.
Absorption - the process by which cannabis enters the bloodstream
After oral consumption, a portion of the edible is absorbed by the body, usually 4-20% of the entire dose. Cannabis taken orally travels through the gastrointestinal tract to the first part of the small intestine, a major site of absorption. After 30-60 minutes, it passes through the liver and ultimately into the bloodstream.
Distribution - the transfer of a substance from one location in the body to another
Once the blood-brain barrier is crossed, you’ll start to feel an effect. Depending on the amount of cannabis distributed in the body, it will actively bring on an effect after ingestion and upon entering into the bloodstream.
Metabolism - when one substance turns into another through bodily processes
Edibles are metabolized through a process called first pass metabolism, this is when a substance is orally ingested and metabolized in the liver before it reaches the bloodstream. In the case of edibles, when the THC content (delta-9-THC) is metabolized in the liver, it gets converted into an entirely new, more potent and stronger molecule called 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC has been found to cross the blood-brain barrier quicker and is much more potent compared to delta-9-THC, which helps explain why edibles may feel stronger and “hit harder” relative to other forms of consumption like vaping or smoking which don’t require first pass metabolism.
Excretion - when the substance leaves the body system
Cannabinoids like THC are metabolized to the point where there are negligible amounts of it that are excreted out.
Dosing
Determining the ideal dosage of cannabis can be easier with edibles as they are dosed in milligram portions. PLUS edibles are made with this in mind and offer individually and precisely micro-dosed gummies.
The best advice to follow when consuming edibles is to start low, and go slow. Start off with a low dose and slowly increase your dosage until you’ve reached the desired effects. Because of varying onset times in edibles and individual metabolisms, some experimenting will be needed.
2.5-5mg is a typical starting dose. 2.5mg is the minimum borderline psychoactive dose. With that in mind, it might be wise to start with a 2.5mg micro-dose and then slowly step up from there. Waiting between 60 to 90 minutes is advised before taking another dose.
Explore PLUS Products
A common misconception is that CBD is an antidote to THC. While it is not an antidote, CBD can balance out the high. CBD helps in reducing unwanted side effects of THC. For example, CBD may reduce anxiety and paranoia and so it may reduce any anxiety and paranoia induced by THC. Try PLUS 100% Hemp CBD Gummies, with 25-50mg of CBD per piece.
About Maha:
Maha Haq has her M.S. in pharmacology, concentrating on Medical Cannabis Sciences & Therapeutics from the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. Her undergraduate is in Mathematics and Sociology from UCLA, where she started the first registered cannabis student organization, Cannaclub, which has since expanded to 20+ universities nationwide.
Maha is currently the Managing Partner of Highspitality, a firm focused on cannabis consumption lounge operations, biz dev, and compliance. She is also the CEO of CREA, a research group facilitating focus groups and cannabis business assessments through case studies. Maha has worked in the cannabis industry since 2012.
*Key Terms:
Bioavailability: the degree and rate at which a substance (such as a drug) is absorbed into the body or is made available at the site of physiological activity.
First pass metabolism: The first pass effect is a phenomenon in which a drug gets metabolized at a specific location in the body that results in a reduced concentration of the active drug upon reaching its site of action or the systemic circulation.