Can You Eat Weed?

The abbreviated answer is “yes”. Orally consuming cannabis-infused ‘edibles’ as a method of absorption is a viable, comparably safe and markedly more discreet option for most people managing pain, discomfort, anxiety or disease.  For those concerned with the potential negative short and long term health effects associated with smoke inhalation, orally consumed infused edibles make for a reasonable alternative. Per a 2009 academic study, regular cannabis smokers have exhibited pathological shifts in lung cell activity similar to those that precede the development of lung cancer existent in tobacco smokers. A number of the short(er) term effects of cannabis related smoke inhalation include emphysema, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. The principal psychoactive constituent in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (also referred to as THC), on its own, is not cancer causing nor is it a carcinogenic; therefore, ingesting cannabis-infused edibles would likely circumvent many of the adverse effects correlated with smoking the substance.

The way through which an infused edible interacts with the body varies greatly from that which inhalation does. When cannabis is inhaled, the THC is absorbed via the alveoli (tiny inflatable sacs which possess an enormous surface area and allow the transmission of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and bloodstream), resulting in a near instantaneous, acute albeit rapidly diminished effect (in some cases as brief as 30 minutes). When ingested, THC is absorbed through the stomach lining/gastrointestinal tract and metabolized by the liver, converting it to 11-hydroxy-THC, thereby resulting in an initially delayed (some consumers report up to 90 minutes) but ultimately longer duration of psychoactive effects, potentially exceeding 4-6 hours.

The recommended average dosage for someone initially experimenting with infused edibles is 10 milligrams of THC – which is widely considered to be one unit of consumption – and should not be ingested on an empty stomach. It is of importance to note, however, that although an individual may be a “seasoned smoker”, their tolerance will not necessarily translate directly to infused edibles. Methods to facilitate the transfer of THC via oral consumption and their potency can vary significantly between both medical dispensaries and the item produced – brownies, cookies, muffins, various drinks, granola bars, candies, beef jerky, cooking oil and butter, as well as a whole host of other foods that are frequently utilized for this purpose. Many enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to cook their own edibles at home. This not a recommended course of action for anyone unaccustomed with this procedure, as the variance in potency due to one’s own inexperience could be significant.

In short, not only can cannabis be ingested, but it is a more healthy, discreet and variable alternative.