Smoking is perhaps the well-known and traditional way to consume marijuana. It involves inhaling the smoke from burning cannabis flowers, either in a joint, pipe, bong, or other device. When you smoke weed, the THC is rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream through your lungs, producing effects within minutes that typically last for 1-3 hours.
Pros of smoking
- Fast-acting effects – When you inhale cannabis smoke, you’ll feel the effects almost immediately, making it easier to control your dose and find your desired level of intoxication.
- Greater control over dosage – Because the effects of smoking come on quickly, it’s easier to take a little at a time and gauge how it’s affecting you before consuming more.
- Social and sharing-friendly – Smoking is often seen as a social activity, and it’s easy to share a joint or bowl with friends.
- Cheaper in the short-term – While smoking accessories like pipes or bongs are an upfront investment, cannabis flower itself is generally less expensive than edibles.
- Wider strain selection- Dispensaries tend to carry a wider variety of cannabis strains in flower form compared to edibles, allowing you to choose specific flavour profiles and effects.
Consuming THC edibles
thc edibles are food and beverage products that have been infused with cannabis, allowing you to experience the effects of THC by ingesting them. Edibles come in many forms, from gummies and chocolates to baked goods and drinks. When you consume an edible, the THC is processed by your digestive system and liver before entering your bloodstream, producing effects that come on more slowly but tend to be stronger and longer-lasting compared to smoking.
Pros of THC edibles
- No respiratory risks – Since you’re ingesting THC rather than inhaling it, edibles don’t pose the same potential harm to your lungs and respiratory system as smoking.
- Longer-lasting effects – The effects of edibles last much longer than smoking, often 4-8 hours or more, which may be preferable for those seeking extended relief from symptoms like pain, anxiety, or insomnia.
- Discreet and convenient – Edibles are easy to consume discreetly since they look like regular food products and don’t produce any smoke, smell, or other apparent signs of cannabis use.
- Precise dosing – Commercially produced edibles are required to have precise labelling of their THC content, allowing you to know exactly how much you’re consuming for consistent dosing. Homemade edibles can also be precisely dosed with careful preparation.
- Tasty and enjoyable – Edibles offer a tasty and satisfying way to consume cannabis, with endless variety in flavours and formulations to suit different preferences.
Other factors to consider
The choice between smoking and edibles comes down to your personal preferences, health considerations, and lifestyle needs. It’s also important to note that individual responses to THC vary greatly, and what works for one person may not work for another. Factors like your tolerance level, metabolism, and even what you’ve eaten recently affect how you react to different consumption methods.
When trying any new cannabis product, whether smoking or edibles, always start with a low dose and be patient. Before taking more, please give yourself plenty of time in a comfortable setting to see how it affects you. Be especially cautious with edibles, as it’s easy to overconsume due to the delayed onset of effects. It’s also crucial to purchase your cannabis products, including flowers and edibles, from a reputable, licensed dispensary. This ensures that you get quality-controlled, lab-tested products with accurate labelling of their THC content. Avoid purchasing from unlicensed or black market sources, as these products may be untested, mislabeled, or contaminated.
