Edibles are an increasingly popular way to consume marijuana, especially for those who want the effects without smoking. Edibles take longer to kick in than smoking and can stay in the system for days or weeks.

This guide explores the different types of marijuana edibles, their effects, how long they stay in the system, and how to shorten their stay. You will also discover how to get compassionate and effective care.

What Are Edibles?

Edibles are food or drink products that contain cannabis. Some people prefer to eat marijuana rather than smoking it because it doesn’t irritate the lungs and the effects can last longer. The key ingredient in edibles is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the high associated with the drug. [1] Some edibles also contain CBD (cannabidiol), which doesn’t make you high but may offer other benefits, like relaxation.

Edibles come in many forms, and they work by delivering the effects of cannabis through digestion – this changes how the body absorbs and processes the drug. Because of this, the effects of edibles can be much stronger and longer-lasting than when marijuana is inhaled.

Types of Edibles

Edibles come in many different types, appealing to different needs and tastes. The most common types include:

• Baked goods: Brownies and cookies are perhaps the most well-known cannabis edibles. These baked goods are infused with cannabis oil or butter, delivering enduring effects.
• Gummies: Marijuana-infused gummies are small, colorful, and easy to dose. Gummies come in different flavors and contain varying levels of THC or CBD, making them ideal for first-time use and a more controlled experience.
• Chocolates: Cannabis-infused chocolates can be found in bars or candy-like forms and are available in milk and dark chocolate varieties.
• Hard candies: Lozenges or lollipops infused with marijuana dissolve slowly in the mouth, providing a longer-lasting release of THC into the body.
• Beverages: Some people prefer cannabis-infused sodas, juices, teas, or coffees. These beverages offer a rapid onset of effects, especially if the liquid is absorbed through the mouth before swallowing.
• Protein bars: These combine the benefits of protein with the effects of cannabis, making them an option for those who want to relax after a workout.
• Frozen treats: Cannabis-infused ice cream and other frozen desserts offer a refreshing way to consume THC.
• Dried fruits: Dried mango, apricots, or berries infused with marijuana offer a natural, low-calorie cannabis snack without added sugars.

How They Work

Edibles work differently than smoking or vaping marijuana. When you eat an edible, the process takes longer because the THC has to go through your digestive system before it reaches your bloodstream. Unlike inhaling cannabis, which delivers THC to your bloodstream almost instantly, edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours before you start feeling the effects. This delay is because your body needs to digest and absorb the THC before it can reach your brain. [2]

Once the THC enters your system, it triggers the same kind of effects that you would get from vaping or smoking – feeling relaxed, euphoric, or more social. Do edibles stay in your system longer? The high from edibles lasts much longer because of how your body processes the THC. For some people, the effects can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours.

The delayed onset of action means it’s easy for someone to misjudge their edible intake and overconsume. This can lead to a much stronger high than expected, sometimes causing discomfort or anxiety.

How Your Body Processes THC

When you eat a marijuana edible, the THC goes through several key steps before it starts to affect your brain. Here’s how the process works:

• Digestion: After you eat an edible, it first enters your stomach. The stomach begins breaking down the food and the THC is absorbed into the digestive system. This step can be slow, especially if you have recently eaten other foods. 
• Absorption into the small intestine: Once the edible moves from the stomach to the small intestine, the body starts absorbing the THC into the bloodstream. Unlike inhaled cannabis, which is absorbed through the lungs and enters the bloodstream immediately, the THC in edibles must pass through the walls of the intestines, which takes time.
• Liver metabolism: After THC is absorbed into the bloodstream, it goes to the liver. Here, the liver changes THC into a more potent compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. [3] This version of THC is stronger and can easily cross the blood-brain barrier, which is why edibles often feel more powerful and last longer than smoked or vaped cannabis.
• Effects on the brain: After the liver processes the THC, it spreads throughout the body, reaching the brain, where the effects of the edible kick in. This high can be unexpectedly strong due to the potent form of THC created in the liver and may last all day.
• Elimination: After the effects of the THC wear off, the body begins to eliminate the substance. THC and its byproducts are broken down and slowly removed from the system through urine and feces. However, since THC is stored in fat cells, it can remain in the body for days or even weeks after consumption.

Onset and Duration of Edibles

The effects of edibles take much longer to start than smoking cannabis, but they also last much longer. After you eat an edible, the effects begin within 30 minutes to 2 hours. This delay occurs because the edible needs to be digested and the THC processed before it reaches your bloodstream.

Once the THC enters your system, the effects can last from 4 to 12 hours. How long does edibles stay in your system depends on dosage, metabolism, and body fat.

How Long Do THC Gummies Stay in Your System?

THC gummies are a popular form of edibles because they’re easy to consume and taste good. Like all edibles, they stay in the system for longer than smoked or vaped cannabis.

How long do gummies stay in your system varies from a few days to a few weeks, based on how much you ate and how often you use them. For someone who consumes THC occasionally, it may take 3 to 7 days for the THC from a gummy to leave the system fully. With regular use, THC is stored in fat cells and may remain detectable for 30 days or more.

How Long Do Edibles Last in Bloodstream?

When you consume edibles, THC enters the bloodstream slower than if you smoke or vape cannabis. THC from edibles can generally be detected in the blood for 3 or 4 days after consumption. This is because the body processes edibles differently, taking more time to break down and absorb the THC.

With occasional use, THC may be clear from the bloodstream within a couple of days. With frequent use, though, it can take longer for THC levels to drop. Blood tests are often used for recent drug use, although edibles don’t stay in your blood for as long as they do in other parts of the body.

How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your Hair?

Hair tests are one of the most long-lasting methods for detecting THC from edibles. After you consume an edible, THC can be found in the hair for up to 90 days, and sometimes longer. This is because hair traps chemicals like THC in the shaft as it grows, which can be identified in tests months later. [4]

Hair tests are less common than other forms of drug tests, but they are used in some workplaces or legal situations to detect long-term drug use. Since THC stays in hair for such a long time, someone who consumed edibles even a couple of months ago could still test positive for THC.

How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your Urine?

Urine tests are the most common type of drug test, and THC from edibles can be detected by this method from 3 to 30 days. For someone who only occasionally eats edibles, the THC may clear from the urine within 3 to 7 days. With daily use or high doses, though, THC can linger in the urine for weeks.

THC is fat-soluble, so it gets stored in body fat and released slowly. This is why regular use of edibles can test positive for THC in urine long after the last dose. The length of time edibles stay in urine hinges on body fat percentage, how much you consume, and how often you eat edibles.

Edibles Detection Times

The length of time THC from edibles stays in the system depends on how often you use them and the type of test:

• Blood: 3 to 4 days
• Urine: 3 to 30 days
• Saliva: 1 to 3 days
• Hair: 90 days or more

Onset and Duration of Edibles vs. Inhaled Cannabis

The way cannabis affects you can vary greatly depending on whether you eat or inhale it. When you smoke or vape cannabis, the effects happen much faster because the THC is absorbed into the lungs directly and then quickly enters the bloodstream. Most people feel the effects of inhaled cannabis within a few minutes, and the high usually peaks after 30 to 60 minutes. The effects wear off after 2 or 3 hours, though, making it a much shorter experience.

With edibles, the THC must be digested and processed by the liver, which delays the onset of effects. Edibles kick in after 30 minutes to 2 hours. The high also lasts longer – anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. For some people – especially those who consume higher doses – effects may persist for 24 hours. This is because the liver converts THC into a more potent form, making the effects stronger and longer-lasting than smoking or vaping.

How to Reduce the Duration of THC Staying in Your System

If you’ve consumed edibles and want to shorten the time THC stays in your system, there are some steps you can take. It’s not possible to instantly remove THC from your body, but these methods may accelerate the elimination process:

• Avoid consuming more THC: If you’re trying to clear THC from your system, stop using marijuana products until the body has had time to eliminate THC.
• Drink water: Drinking water can flush THC from your system through your urine. Staying hydrated supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and can speed up the elimination of THC.
• Exercise regularly: THC is stored in fat cells, so exercise can help burn fat and release the THC stored in the body. Cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, or biking are great ways to get your metabolism moving and encourage the body to break down fat.
• Eat a healthy diet: A healthy and balanced diet may also help the body process THC more efficiently. Foods high in fiber can promote digestion and help the body get rid of THC through bowel movements. Avoiding fatty foods may also help, as THC binds to fat.
• Use diuretics: Substances that increase urine production, like diuretics, can speed up the elimination of THC. Natural diuretics include green tea, cranberry juice, and coffee.

Reducing the amount of time THC stays in your system can be helpful if you’re facing a drug test or want to feel more clear-headed. These methods will help support the body’s natural processes and speed up the clearing of the compound.

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Sources

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5260817/

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7030881/

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6374540/

[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5037031