Marijuana edibles are an incredibly complex topic, so answering questions about how long they last in your system or how quickly they kick in is quite difficult. There are just too many factors that need to be taken into account! In this article, we’ll be going over everything you need to know with respect to just how long marijuana takes to leave your system.
So how does marijuana stay in our systems?
A lot of people end up asking us about how the drug actually manages to stay in us. What does that actually mean, and how do outside factors affect them? Well, all in all, there are three ways in which marijuana stays in our systems. The first is our gastrointestinal system. This particular type of edible is most commonly found in brownie or cookie form and is consumed using your mouth. When you consume these edibles you’re actively digesting them, and pushing them through your system.
When consuming marijuana this way, you’ll most likely feel effects in about 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
The second way to consume marijuana that we’ll be discussing is the oral method. This method basically entails the consumption of things like lozenges and tinctures. Rather than digesting these products, marijuana is absorbed through various parts of your mouth and tongue. When using this route you’ll feel effects in as little as 15 minutes. Many argue that this is because this option penetrates the blood-brain barrier far more efficiently.
The third and arguably most popular way of consuming marijuana edibles is the hybrid method. Typically hybrid edibles are a drink of some kind. This particular process allows your body to absorb the marijuana through your mouth and ingest it at the same time. Because the effects for these two different systems vary time-wise, you’re likely to get a super great high for a lengthy amount of time.
How should I go about dosing edibles?
This particular question is somewhat easier to answer because there is a socially acceptable amount that most people use. That amount is 10 milligrams (on average). 10 milligrams of THC are enough to combat most medical ailments and satisfy even the most experienced recreational users. Do keep in mind though that certain people lower that dosage because they have trouble with 10, and others increase it because 10 does nothing for them. A lot of times that 10-milligram marker is ignored by medical marijuana patients suffering from severe medical ailments.
So how long do edibles actually stay in my system?
There are multiple parts to this question. Mostly because of the differing intentions. Most people want to know how long they should wait before smoking more weed! To these people, we’d like to clarify a very important fact. Depending on the route in which you consume edible marijuana, the effects may hit you in waves.
For example, 15 minutes in you may start feeling effects, and those effects may disappear at the 30-minute mark. You think you’re fully sober but realize at the 45-minute mark that the effects are back.
This is because it’s very unlikely for you to consume edible marijuana in only one way. Take lozenges for example. It’s very likely that you’ll be absorbing the THC through your mouth and tongue, but it’s even more likely that you’ll be swallowing some of it as well. As we mentioned above, absorbing it through your mouth breaks the blood-brain barrier quicker than ingesting THC. This means you’ll be hit multiple times, hence our wave analogy.
The second version of this question is made by those wondering if THC is going to show up on their drug tests. As many of you probably know, drug tests occur all over the place. If your athlete chances are you’ve been tested before. But that’s not where it stops. Some employers require drug testing as well. Some jobs even maintain strict drug testing schedules (places like hospitals and police departments especially).
To figure out just how long marijuana stays detectable within your system, you’d have to look at just how long it’d stay in your urine and blood (both of which are popular routes as to drug testing). On average, THC will be detectable in your blood for about 24 hours.
This is typically unwavering, although factors like blood sugar and blood pressure may play a part in altering just how long THC is present. Urine on the other hand is more complicated. THC can show up in your urine for up to seven days after you ingest edible marijuana. If you use a lot of marijuana it may be in your system for even longer (2-3 weeks). Other facts like the level of hydration, physical fitness, and more affect how long THC stays in your urine. Do keep in mind that urine testing is the most popular type of testing, so don’t rely on your employer choosing to do a blood test! In most American states urine tests are the only test legally allowed (unless specific circumstances present themselves).
More Information
For more information on drug testing and how marijuana affects your system/stays in your system, please refer to your family doctor or general practitioner. Please note that although many states and provinces across North America have legalized marijuana, it is not legal everywhere. Be sure to check your local laws before using it!
