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Have you ever tried marijuana for your medical condition but been unsure of what to expect? Maybe your state recently legalized recreational marijuana use, or your doctor recommended you try it for a medical condition. Whatever the case may be, one of the most common questions surrounding marijuana is, "how long does the high last?"
The answer to this question isn't as cut and dry as you might think. Generally, the effects of marijuana will last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes if you smoke it and up to 3 hours if you ingest it. But this can vary depending on a few factors, such as your body weight, the potency of the weed, and how much you consume.
In this article, we will explain some of those factors and give an overview of what you can expect when consuming marijuana. So let's dive in and find out how long the high from your medical marijuana can last.
What Is The Onset Time For Weed?
Before we look at how long a weed high can last, it's important to understand the onset time for marijuana. This refers to the amount of time it takes for the effects of marijuana to kick in.
The total onset time for THC to go from the packet to your bloodstream and start affecting your brain depends dramatically on multiple factors, most importantly the method of consumption.
Here's a closer look at the different methods of consumption and their corresponding onset times.
Vaping or Smoking
Vaping or smoking is one of the fastest ways to experience the effects of marijuana. The onset time for vaping or smoking is usually 5 to 10 minutes, as vapor or smoke allows THC to be directly absorbed by your lungs. From there, the THC is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream and begins to affect your brain.
This method also gives you more control over how much you consume, allowing you to adjust your dosage according to your needs and preferences. For those looking to get a quick high, this is the most efficient way to go.
Edibles, Capsules, and Pills
Edibles, capsules, and pills are considered the slowest way to experience the effects of marijuana. This is mainly because when ingested, THC has to pass through your digestive system before it reaches your bloodstream and brain.
The total onset time for edibles can range anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on individual physiology and factors like gender and weight.
The amount of THC that enters your bloodstream and ultimately your brain also depends on other external factors, such as how much food you have in your stomach at the time of ingestion.
Dabbing
Dabbing is a method of consuming marijuana that is becoming increasingly popular. It involves the use of a dab rig, which is a device used to vaporize concentrated forms of marijuana called "dabs" or concentrates. As you breathe in the vapor, it enters your lungs and bloodstream much faster than smoking or vaping.
Since these "dabs" or concentrates are so potent, the onset time for dabbing is often almost instant. This makes it one of the fastest ways to experience the effects of marijuana, with people reporting feeling an intense high within seconds after taking a hit from their dab rig.
Tinctures
Tinctures are one of the most popular cannabis-infused products, and they offer an incredibly fast onset time. This is because tinctures are taken sublingually (under the tongue). They are then absorbed into your bloodstream through tiny capillaries in the tissue beneath your tongue. This method allows for rapid absorption of THC, with effects typically felt within 15 minutes or even less.
However, if you swallow a tincture instead of holding it under your tongue, its onset time can be delayed by an hour or more since it has to pass through your digestive system before entering the bloodstream. So if you want to experience the fastest effect possible, make sure you hold it under your tongue for long enough to be absorbed.
How Long Does a Weed High Last?
Now that we've discussed how long it takes for the effects of marijuana to kick in, let's talk about how long a weed high typically lasts depending on the same methods we discussed above.
Vaping or Smoking
While vaping or smoking is the fastest way to experience the effects of marijuana, it is also the quickest to fade. THC rapidly absorbs into your bloodstream via inhalation; therefore, the high doesn't last long.
Generally, those who vape or smoke marijuana will experience a peak within 30 minutes and then start to feel its effects fading in 1-3 hours. This method gives users more control in terms of adjusting their dosage, so they can tailor their highs according to their needs and preferences.
Edibles, Capsules, and Pills
Edibles, capsules, and pills are a totally different experience from vaping or smoking. Since they are metabolized and processed by the liver before being absorbed into your bloodstream, the effects of consuming marijuana this way take significantly longer to kick in.
Factors such as your metabolism speed, the amount of food consumed before, and your weight can all affect how long it takes to feel the effects.
On average, the effects from edibles, capsules, and pills can last anywhere from 2 to 10 hours. The long-lasting high is due to the fact that these products are metabolized into different forms of THC. After metabolizing, it is released as Delta-9 THC (the same form as when smoked) and 11-OH-THC, which is more potent and gives users a long-lasting, intense body high.
Dabbing
Dabbing has quickly become the preferred method of consuming marijuana for many cannabis users, especially those looking for a more powerful and intense high. Since these "dabs" or concentrates are so potent, the effects of dabbing can last significantly longer than vaping or smoking.
Generally speaking, if you take a small dose of marijuana via dabbing, you'll usually experience a high that lasts 1-3 hours, similar to smoking.
However, since dabbing does not require nearly as much product as smoking, it is easier to take larger doses and achieve a longer-lasting high. For example, if you take a large dose, you can expect the high to last up to 6 hours, providing users with an incredibly long-lasting experience.
Tinctures
As mentioned earlier, tinctures are a great way to get the effects of marijuana quickly. When held under your tongue, they can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream and start working almost immediately.
Despite having a different pathway, tinctures produce effects similar to edibles. This means users can experience the effects of both the Delta-9 THC and 11-OH-THC, producing a long-lasting high that can last anywhere between 4 to 8 hours.
What Other Factors Can Affect Your High?
No two people experience marijuana in the same way. How long your weed high lasts can depend on various factors, such as your body weight, tolerance to THC, and chemistry. The method of consumption is just one factor that can influence the duration of your high.
Here are a few other factors that can affect how long your weed high lasts:
Marijuana Strain
Marijuana strain plays a huge role in how long the effects of marijuana last. Depending on the potency and composition of cannabinoids, some strains are more intense than others and can produce a longer-lasting high.
Sativa-dominant strains tend to give users an energizing and uplifting high lasting for hours, while Indica strains are known for their sedating and relaxing effects lasting up to 8 hours.
Your Metabolism
How quickly your body metabolizes the THC in marijuana will also affect how long it lasts. People with faster metabolic rates tend to experience shorter highs, while those with slower metabolic rates usually have highs that last longer.
The Quantity of Marijuana Consumed
Another factor that can influence the length of your weed high is how much marijuana you consume at once. When larger doses are taken, the effects usually last longer than if a smaller dose was consumed.
For example, if you take a large amount of marijuana via dabbing or edibles, you can expect the high to last longer than if you smoked a joint.
Reap the Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card With Kif
If you're looking for a way to safely and legally enjoy the effects of marijuana, consider getting a medical marijuana card with Kif.
A medical marijuana card grants you access to premium-grade cannabis products, including flowers, edibles, tinctures, and concentrates, without the risk of breaking the law. However, one of the biggest challenges is finding a doctor who can approve your application.
Kif makes the process easy by connecting customers directly to MMJ doctors who can help determine the underlying medical condition that qualifies for medical marijuana. This way, you can get the medical cannabis products you need without having to worry about getting stuck in a long approval process.
Experience the effects of marijuana today with Kif! All you need to do is sign up, and our team of MMJ doctors will handle the rest.
Also Read: How Much Weed Can I Buy With My Medical Marijuana Card?
