Edibles: Why Does Eating Weed Make It So Much Stronger?

We talk to Will Hyde, Leafly Strain Expert, to find out why edibles always seem to hit you so much harder.

Everybody and their moms are talking about edibles. In fact, the first time I ever heard about edibles was through a friend of mine’s mother (!) who bought a “special batch” of brownies from a Toronto baker (which we weren’t allowed to have), to give her guests on New Year’s Eve a handful of years back.

For those of you who have either dabbled in edibles or are novice edible eaters, chances are you’re well aware that weed feels a hell-of-a lot stronger when you eat it, as opposed to smoking or vaping or insert your method-of-choice to use here.

I reached out to Leafly Strain Expert, Will Hyde to get all the deets on all things edible so we can use them more mindfully and understand what we’re putting in our system a little better.

JK: Why is weed stronger when we eat it?

WH: Edibles can have more potent effects than smoked and vaporized cannabis because of the way our bodies process THC. This Leafly article by my colleague Bailey Rahn answers this question pretty well. As Bailey writes: When you consume cannabis in an ingestible form, its THC is metabolized by the liver, which converts it to 11-hydroxy-THC. This active metabolite is particularly effective in crossing the blood-brain barrier, resulting in a more intense high. Inhaled THC undergoes a different metabolic process because rather than passing through the stomach and then the liver, the THC travels directly to the brain. This is why the effects of smoked or vaporized cannabis come on faster and diminish quickly.

JK: What are a few tips for readers to be mindful of when eating it?

WH: Start with a small dose and be patient. I always suggest waiting at least an hour before you increase the dose. A high tolerance for smoked or vaporized cannabis doesn’t always translate to a high tolerance for edibles. 2.5 to 5 mg is usually a good starting point, especially if you are a casual consumer or new to cannabis.

JK: What are your personal-fave edibles and which ones would you recommend to users/eaters who vary from the amateur to the expert?

WH: Since edibles in Washington are typically dosed at 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg, they don’t vary much by potency (or “novices vs. expert”). Instead, I’ll share a couple of my favorite products in a few different product categories. One of the best parts of living in a state with legal cannabis is the wide variety of edibles available at retailers, from infused beverages like simple syrups and sodas to more traditional cookies and baked goods. You can also try cooking with cannabis at home to make your own infused foods.

Still curious about edibles? Here are a few other Leafly resources you might find useful that dive into edibles. Would love to hear which your go-to is. Let us know in the comments below:

Author: Jen Kirsch