How Long Will a High from Cannabis Edibles Last?

Anyone who has tried a cannabis edible in the past knows that they affect you much differently than smoking or vaping cannabis flower or concentrates does – but how long will that buzz last?

First, you need to understand why edibles are a more intense high than smoking. In short, it comes down to two main differences, the first of which is the fact that it takes longer for THC to reach the bloodstream when you eat an edible compared to the almost instantaneous impact of smoking or vaping. The second significant difference is that the THC itself is released in a different form when it’s metabolized through the digestive system – active THC will become even more potent 11-hydroxy-THC after reaching your liver.

It is because this 11-hydroxy-THC is so much more potent than regular THC that people experience such a different buzz when they consume an edible – and it is so important to be careful and cautious when consuming edibles.

While it will take longer for you to start feeling the buzz associated with a cannabis edible, it will remain potent for much longer. In fact, your metabolism will play a part in how long the edible lasts – the longer it takes for it to be processed in your liver, the longer it will be releasing the super potent version of THC – and the longer the effects will last. This can be anywhere from 4-8-hours, sometimes even longer – and your metabolism isn’t the only factor that will determine how long the edibles will last.

Compared to smoking – which onsets 10-30 minutes after consumption and lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours on average – cannabis edibles are both more potent in intensity and duration of the buzz. This is especially useful for medical marijuana patients who may need the effects to last longer to provide relief while out and about for the day without a way to medicate.

The more THC you consume, the more intense the high, and the longer it will last. This is why Evergreen Organix offers this Guide to Safe Dosing with Cannabis Edibles. You should ensure that you take a proper dose – for newbies this can be as little as 5-10 milligrams – so that you don’t wind up having a rather uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. However, if you do find that you’ve consumed too many cannabis edibles, here are a few things that may be able to help you bring your high down some until the effects of the THC wear off.