Are Edibles Healthier Than Smoking?

Smoking marijuana is the most rapid way to deliver THC and results in high blood levels of cannabinoids for a shorter duration compared to edibles. Other variables that contribute to the “high” are the depth of inhalation, puff duration, and breath hold. A maximum of 25 – 27% of the THC content can be absorbed into the bloodstream, making it a fast-acting and efficient way of using cannabis. However, compared to edibles, smoking is unhealthy, and even dangerous for some cannabis consumers.

By combusting, or applying fire, to the dry marijuana flower you are releasing the cannabinoids into the lungs while also inhaling hot smoke, a known cause of respiratory inflammation and cell damage. Most medical professionals don’t recommend those with certain ailments, like cancer, smoke their cannabis. These factors are why Health Canada prefers that medical marijuana patients under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) use the reduced-harm methods of vaporizing dry cannabis flower or using a cannabis oil to get their daily medication. Those oils can be taken on their own or used to make all kinds of goodies, called edibles.

Edibles are much healthier than smoking in that they don’t use combustion to deliver the medicine but there are some complicated matters that could cause harm if used incorrectly. Edibles containing cannabis are absorbed into the bloodstream differently and have longer lasting effects than smoking the dry flower. While you can feel marijuana working on your central nervous system and mind within minutes of toking up, the same results could take between 30 minutes and two hours to set in after taking an edible. Additionally, edibles can come in some healthy food forms, like infused smoothies, kale chips, teas, coffees, and even savoury sauces. If you want to steer clear of excess sugars, these products are an excellent choice. Essentially, just about any healthy food can be medicated by using a cannabis-infused oil or butter. And that’s a much healthier option when compared to smoking a bowl, pipe or joint filled with dry cannabis flower.

When it comes to the harm factors of edibles, the main thing to be aware of is dosage and labelling. While small amounts of edibles (10mg of THC or CBD is considered a standard single dose) can yield mild and comfortable effects, overdoing it on edibles will leave you feeling bad for a few hours. For a long time, homemade edibles had the auspicious reputation of being unpredictable in their potency, but edibles companies are getting better at helping customers understand how much THC and CBD is in their products through proper packaging, like offering a 150mg package of gummy bears where each bear is a 10mg dose.