Both smoking and eating cannabis get THC into your system. So, they’re essentially the same, right? Wrong. There are several differences to keep in mind when you’re considering edibles versus smoking, with the two biggest being effects and duration.
But is one wholly better than the other? That depends. Below, learn how each consumption method works, how they can affect your body, the different effects you might experience, and more.
Edibles vs Smoking: What’s the Difference?
Taking edibles and smoking cannabis are probably two of the most popular ways to consume THC and CBD. Both methods have their merits, and some people may prefer one over the other for various reasons.
For example, some people may not be able to smoke because of lung conditions, so consuming edibles is a more desirable method of medicating. On the other hand, someone who is looking for immediate relief from arthritis pain may be more likely to turn to smoking or vaping for the quicker onset of effects.
Edibles are also a great way to consume cannabis when in public or crowded spaces since they don’t broadcast your cannabis use to everyone nearby. They’re easy to transport, and you can ingest them without worrying about any side-eye glances from strangers around you. Smoking, in contrast, will definitely draw attention to those close by, whether they’re in the next apartment or down the street.
This is not to discount smoking entirely—smoking cannabis does have several benefits and it remains the most popular way people consume it. It’s easy to share a joint or bowl with a group of friends, and in addition to being a social activity, smoking delivers faster effects. You can’t say the same for edibles.
Let’s break down the major differences between smoking and edibles.
Difference #1: Effects
One of the biggest differences between edibles and smoking are the effects. A milligram of an edible THC product may affect you more than smoking a milligram of THC flower. There’s a scientific reason for this, but still, cannabis potency is a tricky thing to navigate and sometimes even to compare. In the case of smoking versus edibles, it’s even harder to make a real comparison because the two are metabolized differently, creating an entirely different experience.
When you inhale cannabis smoke, your lungs absorb THC and pass it directly into the bloodstream. When you consume an edible, your liver metabolizes the THC into another compound known as 11-hydroxy-THC. This new compound readily passes through your blood-brain barrier, something that smoking or vaping THC can’t do.
The end result? Edibles can deliver a stronger, longer-lasting high, which can be fun and provide more powerful therapeutic benefits for people seeking sustained relief. So, technically, the THC in edibles may be felt as more potent than the equivalent measure of smoked THC, because of the changes that happen to THC when it is processed by your liver and released into your bloodstream.
But just because edibles are more powerful than flower, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily “better.” These characteristics can also mean that, for some people, edibles may trigger higher levels of anxiety than if they were just smoking weed. There may also be some situations where you don’t want to get as high as an edible may take you, so you may want to consider how long edibles can last when comparing ingestion of THC to inhalation of it.
Difference #2: Onset
The onset of effects along with the duration of the high are two additional factors that often lead someone toward smoking over edibles, or vice versa.
Since smoking gets THC directly into your bloodstream via your lungs, the effects come on more quickly. Sometimes, it’s almost instantaneous; other times, it may take a few minutes.
Edibles, however, can take anywhere from 30-90 minutes to start kicking in since the THC needs to be digested before you’ll feel it. This longer waiting period may be problematic if you’re searching for fast relief, and the slow onset can make it difficult to know if you’ve taken enough (or too much). Since it takes so long for the effects to peak, small doses of an edible are recommended. Wait at least 45 minutes before deciding whether or not to take another small dose.
Difference #3: Duration
When you smoke cannabis, its effects usually peak within 30 minutes and up to two hours and then taper off from there, depending on how strong the strain is.
Edibles are a different animal. They take longer to set in since they must pass through your entire gastrointestinal tract before hitting your liver, where the metabolization process starts. As you can imagine, that’s not the quickest process in the world, but you’ll notice it once the THC begins to do its work.
And that 11-hydroxy-THC? According to one research assessment, it lasts a long time, possibly up to 12 hours. Most people don’t report feeling much past the 6 – 8 hour mark, but it’s still valuable to steer clear of edibles if you have any responsibilities coming up on the same day.
Are Edibles Healthier Than Smoking?
Whether or not edibles are healthier than smoking depends on the individual. For many people, smoking isn’t an option because of medical or physical limitations. These people are likely to turn to edibles and topicals—even if they can be trickier to dose—simply because it is the safest route for them personally.
At the end of the day, smoking anything in general isn’t considered the healthiest choice. Though it’s a beloved option for many, and it doesn’t come with the same risks that smoking tobacco products does, it’s a big part of why vaping has become such a popular alternative in recent years. Vaping allows people the same immediate effects and possibly even more control over dosage compared to smoking from a bowl, joint, or blunt, without the combustion and possible inhalation of burnt plant material.
Edibles are only as healthy as their ingredients. Many edibles come in the form of candy bars, gummies, cookies, and the classic pot brownie. None of these are necessarily considered healthy options on their own, so if you’re going to use edibles as your primary way to consume cannabis, you may want to consider their main ingredients.
So, Are Edibles Better Than Smoking?
The truth: There’s no right or wrong answer here. Some might say that edibles are better, and others will tell you smoking is the best way to enjoy cannabis. Ultimately, it comes down to what is right individually, which comes down to trying both for yourself and seeing what works best for your body and mind.
Our advice? Start low, go slow, and get to know what dosages mean. The only way you’re going to get acquainted with the differences between smoking and edibles is by trying both methods on separate occasions and seeing how they affect you.
Interested in experimenting with different delivery methods to see what works best for you? At our family of Michigan dispensaries, we’ve got everything you need.
At Exclusive, we offer premium cannabis items sourced in-house and from various local growers and product manufacturers. Our extensive menus include pre-rolls, concentrates, cartridges, edibles, and much more. Check out our online menus, visit us in-store, or download our app and place your order today.
