Marijuana edibles are gaining popularity as a smoke-free alternative to cannabis consumption. But if you’re considering edibles, a crucial question arises: How Long Does An Edible Last in your system and what are the effects? This comprehensive guide, reviewed by healthcare professionals, will delve into the duration of edibles’ effects, factors influencing their longevity, detection in drug tests, legal status, and safety considerations.
What Exactly Are Marijuana Edibles?
Marijuana edibles are food products infused with cannabinoids, primarily THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. These edibles come in various forms, including:
- Baked goods: Brownies, cookies, cakes
- Candies: Gummies, chocolates, hard candies
- Beverages: Teas, sodas, infused drinks
- Other ingestibles: Capsules, lozenges
As legalization expands, the variety of edibles has increased significantly, often resembling regular snacks and candies. This resemblance poses a concern, especially for children who might unintentionally consume them.
Marijuana edibles
How Your Body Processes Edibles: A Different Route to Getting High
When you consume an edible, it embarks on a different journey through your body compared to smoked marijuana. Instead of entering your bloodstream directly through the lungs, edibles are processed through the digestive system.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Digestion: The edible travels to your stomach and intestines, where it’s digested and absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Liver Metabolism: The THC then reaches the liver, a crucial organ in detoxification. Here, delta-9 THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC.
- Enhanced Psychoactivity: 11-hydroxy-THC is more potent and psychoactive than delta-9 THC, contributing to the often stronger and longer-lasting high experienced with edibles.
This digestive process leads to a delayed onset of effects. While smoking or vaping marijuana can produce effects within minutes, edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to kick in. This delay is a key factor in accidental overconsumption, as users might take more, thinking the initial dose wasn’t effective.
Furthermore, the high from edibles typically lasts significantly longer than from smoking. While smoking effects may subside within a few hours, an edible high can extend for up to 12 hours or even longer in some cases.
How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System? The Timeline Explained
The question, “how long does an edible last in your system?” doesn’t have a single definitive answer. Several factors influence how long THC from edibles remains detectable in your body:
- Frequency of Use: This is the most significant factor.
- Occasional Users: For infrequent users, edibles might be detectable for approximately 3 to 7 days.
- Regular Users: Frequent or heavy users can have THC detectable in their system for a much longer period, ranging from several weeks to even a month or more. Regular use leads to THC accumulating in body fat.
- Dosage: Higher doses of THC will naturally take longer for the body to eliminate.
- Metabolism: Individual metabolic rates vary. People with faster metabolisms might process and eliminate THC quicker than those with slower metabolisms.
- Body Fat Percentage: THC is fat-soluble and can be stored in fat cells. Individuals with higher body fat percentages might retain THC for longer durations.
- Type of Edible and Consumption Method: Some edibles, especially those that dissolve in the mouth, might be absorbed slightly faster. However, the primary factor remains the digestive process and liver metabolism.
General Timeline for THC Detection:
It’s crucial to understand that these are general estimates, and individual experiences can vary.
- Blood: THC is typically detectable in blood for a shorter period, around 1-2 days for occasional users and up to 7 days for heavy users.
- Saliva: Saliva tests can detect THC for about 24-72 hours after consumption.
- Urine: Urine tests are the most common method and have a longer detection window. THC can be detected in urine for:
- Occasional users: 3-7 days
- Moderate users: 7-21 days
- Heavy users: 30 days or longer
- Hair Follicle: Hair follicle tests have the longest detection window, potentially detecting THC for up to 90 days or even longer.
Will Edibles Show Up on a Drug Test? Absolutely.
Yes, consuming edibles will result in a positive drug test for THC. It’s a common misconception that because edibles are ingested rather than smoked, they might evade detection. However, drug tests detect THC metabolites, regardless of the consumption method.
In fact, due to the way edibles are metabolized, they might lead to a positive drug test for a longer duration compared to smoking, especially for heavy users. All common drug testing methods, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair follicle tests, can detect THC from edibles.
Legal Landscape of Marijuana Edibles: A State-by-State Guide
The legality of marijuana edibles is complex and varies significantly depending on location. While some regions have fully legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, others have only legalized medical use, decriminalized possession, or maintain strict prohibition.
States with Legal Marijuana and Edibles (as of current knowledge):
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
States with Medical Marijuana Legalization (Edibles may be legal for medical use):
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- West Virginia
Important Note: Laws are constantly evolving. It’s crucial to check the specific regulations in your state or region regarding marijuana edibles. Some states with legal marijuana may have specific regulations concerning edible potency, packaging, and sales. In areas where laws are unclear, it’s best to assume edibles are not permitted.
Safety Concerns and Potential Risks of Edibles
While edibles offer a smoke-free alternative, it’s essential to be aware of potential safety concerns:
- Delayed Onset and Overconsumption: The delayed effects can lead to accidental overconsumption, resulting in an uncomfortably intense high. “Start low and go slow” is crucial advice for edible consumption.
- Psychoactive Effects and Mental Health: Edibles can induce strong psychoactive effects, including hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, and panic attacks, particularly in individuals sensitive to THC or those with pre-existing mental health conditions. Cannabis-induced psychosis is a potential risk.
- Cardiovascular Concerns: High doses of THC can impact the cardiovascular system, potentially posing risks for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, especially older adults.
- Cognitive and Coordination Impairment: Edibles can impair cognitive functions, coordination, and balance, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Pregnancy Risks: THC can cross the placenta and potentially affect fetal brain development. Edibles are not recommended during pregnancy.
- Addiction Potential: While often perceived as less addictive than other substances, marijuana, including edibles, can be addictive. Regular use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
- Unregulated Products and Lacing: In unregulated markets, there’s a risk of edibles being inaccurately dosed or even laced with dangerous substances like synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice).
Image alt text: Headshot of Barbara Rexer, DSW, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, ICCS, DRCC, emphasizing the expert review and credibility of the article’s health information.
Conclusion: Responsible Edible Consumption
Understanding how long an edible lasts and its potential effects is crucial for responsible consumption. Edibles can offer a different cannabis experience, but they come with unique considerations. Start with low doses, be patient due to the delayed onset, and be aware of the extended duration of effects. Always purchase edibles from legal and regulated sources to ensure product safety and accurate labeling. If you or someone you know is struggling with marijuana use, seeking professional help is a vital step towards recovery.
