Cannabis is something most everyone can enjoy, the key is to be wise and always consume with safety in mind. The best reminder for any beginner or newly experienced user is to: start small and go slow.
Remember, you can always consume more, but you can’t consume less!
Start Small
So exactly how small are we talking? Everyone’s tolerance is different, but remember a little can go a long way. Below are some general guidelines:
- New or First Time Consumer: 1 – 5mg THC
- Occasional or Recreational Consumer: 5 – 10mg THC
- Frequent or Daily Consumer: 10 – 15mg THC
Go Slow
So now that we covered how small, how slow? It really depends on the type of cannabis you decide to consume. It can take up to two hours to feel the full effects depending on the form of consumption. Below are some general guidelines:
Edible: 1 – 2 hours to feel the full effects
When you ingest cannabis whether it be a chocolate bar, a brownie, or beverage it is absorbed through your digestive system and then processed by the liver. Edibles tend to take longer to take effect, they can last longer and are usually a lot more intense than sublinguals or vapeables. Make sure to be aware and read the package for total THC percentage.
Sublingual: 15 minutes – 1 hour to feel the full effects
Sublingual means “under-the-tongue”. Sublinguals include tinctures, drinkables, or lozenges that can be placed under the tongue and dissolved instead of being swallowed. This allows the cannabinoids to be absorbed through the mucosal lining of the mouth directly into the bloodstream (bypassing the digestive system and liver). This delivery system is often referred to as “oral-mucosal.”
Vapeable: 5 – 10 minutes to feel the full effects.
When cannabis is inhaled as smoke or vapor, cannabinoids are absorbed instantly into the bloodstream through the lungs. Effects are felt pretty rapidly and don’t last as long as edibles or sublinguals.
