Edibles vs. Smoking: Which One is Right for You?

When there are so many options available, it’s hard to know what method of consuming cannabis is right for you. Is it smoking? Weed gummies? Vaping? The world of cannabis has significantly evolved in the last decade. With potency rising and advances made in the field with marijuana’s legalization, it can be hard to know which option is right for you — especially when comparing edibles vs. smoking. Before you can decide that, you have to get to know the basics!

 

What is an Edible?

An edible is marijuana in any food product. There are many types of edibles — from gummies to brownies and beverages, they can come in many different forms. Edibles typically constrain both delta-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is THC, and cannabidiol, also known as CBD. They are generally stronger — causing a more potent high than smoking or other consumption methods. The effects also typically last longer. Smoking cannabis can affect you within five to ten minutes, while edibles usually don’t kick in for thirty minutes to two hours. It is crucial to keep in mind that there tends to be a more considerable amount of cannabis in edibles!

Looking for an unforgettable edible? Delta Munchies has you covered.

What is in Edibles

So, you might be asking yourself what’s inside edibles like gummies. Well, besides the gummy ingredients, edibles are infused with cannabinoid distillate. In some cases, like our Delta 8 Gummies, you’ll find D8 THC premium distillate as the star of the show. As you might know by now, delta 8 is an isomer of regular THC. 

So in simpler words, it’s kind of a milder sibling while still having psychoactive properties. A concentrated oil with this cannabinoid is added to the gummies, and then they are covered with a delicious citric acid and sugar coating.

Also, know that some candies and edibles contain animal-based products, such as gelatin or dairy products. Our gummies are fully vegan and contain pectin instead, a natural and fruit-based ingredient that gives the gummy texture we all know and love.

What is an Edible High Like

This is a tricky question to answer. But the first thing we should say is that it feels stronger than vaping or smoking cannabis. While these last two might feel a little like a sudden relaxation, edibles tend to creep on you and start the effect around the thirty-minute mark. 

Depending on the edible, you might feel strong body relaxation that comes with a clear-headed high. It’s also highly probable (no pun intended) that you get pleasant euphoric feelings or even feel sleepy or tired.

The effects of an edible can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. As D8 is milder than D9 THC, it is an incredible option to get a strong experience with fewer side effects like nausea or paranoia.

 

Marijuana Edibles vs. Smoking

As cannabis has become more widespread in recent years, so have the options for consumption, but inhaling and ingesting cannabis are the two most common ways of consumption. However, smoking marijuana vs. edibles can result in two very different experiences. 

While edibles take longer to kick in than smoking, it is processed in the stomach before being released into the bloodstream and the rest of the body. But are edibles stronger than smoking? The effects of edibles also last longer than the effects of smoking. When you inhale, cannabis smoke or vapor delivers THC to your lungs directly and then into your bloodstream. When inhaling, you will feel the effects of smoking within minutes, with the full effect peaking after thirty minutes. 

When you ingest cannabis, you’ll feel the effects much longer than you will if you smoke cannabis. There is definitely a difference between edibles vs. smoking marijuana high. And for many people, there may be a time and a place for both.

 

Different Ways to Ingest Weed

There are a couple of different types and ways to smoke. Vaping is similar to smoking but less harsh on the lungs. When comparing edibles vs vaping, they are different in the ways weed edibles vs smoking are—in that edibles tend to impact you more greatly with longer-lasting effects. Other ways you can ingest cannabis include tinctures and capsules; both allow more precise dosing. Different smoking methods for cannabis include prerolls, pipes, and bongs.

Vaping Cannabis

Vaping is similar to smoking but less harsh on the lungs. It can be done through a dedicated vaporizer, which uses a device that heats the dry flower, or through a vape cartridge or pen that uses oil. These use a distillate that heats up through a coil and an external heating element.

If you want to try a vaping cartridge that uses an external battery, we have vape carts available with different cannabinoids, including D8 THC over here. 

If you don’t have a battery or don’t want the hassle of buying one, we also have disposable devices that are ready to pull and go, called vape pens. If you want to keep pets safe from eating your gummies or just want an easier time, you can learn more about vape pens here.

Vaping vs. smoking cannabis

Vaping in general is a much friendlier experience than smoking. Both give a sort of concentrated smoke that you pull, but vapor is much friendlier and manageable. Also, it dissipates way quicker than smoke.

Cannabis Tincture

You can also use cannabis tinctures to enjoy all weed’s recreative or therapeutic effects. These come in different potencies, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000mg. So it depends on what kind of experience you wish to have and how much you want to consume at a time.

And somewhat in between smoking and edibles, tinctures can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. They last longer than your typical joint or vaping toke, but less than a full gummy. 

So if you feel like having a smokeless experience but you aren’t sure about edibles, tinctures like our delta 8 tinctures with three available flavor options at our store are a great option. 

What is Cannabis Tincture

To put it simply, tinctures are cannabis extracts that are suspended in some sort of edible oil. Some, like our tinctures, use vegan coconut oil. Others use different kinds of solutions. 

The bottom line here is that cannabis is soaked or distilled into a base liquid that has a high fat concentration. The cannabinoids meld onto the formula, and presto, you have a concentrated solution that can be taken on its own or used in cooking.

Cannabis Capsules

Cannabis capsules are another way of consuming cannabis. They are usually a concentrated dose of cannabinoids, the most popular being CBD. Capsules are great if you want the therapeutic effects, but some products can also be intoxicating. Or, in other words, they can get you high. 

However, most of the time these products are flavorless. If you want a straightforward, barely tasting experience, then capsules are the way to go. Another benefit is that these are easy to dose and measure, so microdosing is easier than with tinctures and other products.

 

Edibles vs. Smoking: Potency

You might be wondering what the difference between an edible high versus a smoking high is, and the difference in potency is between marijuana edibles vs smoking. 

Although they are made from the same material, there is a difference in potency between edibles and smoking cannabis. Edibles tend to be stronger than smoking and have resulted in more powerful effects than smoking cannabis. According to the National Institute of Health, the amount of THC that enters the bloodstream through ingestion is around 6-10 percent, while about 50-60 percent enters the bloodstream through smoking. This difference is in relation to the metabolic process. The liver converts about half of its THC to 11-hydroxy-THC. This is a potent version of THC that cannot form through inhalation. When consuming cannabis by smoking, THC goes directly to the brain, resulting in feeling the effects faster but are more fleeting.

When consuming edibles, you should always start small and proceed cautiously. It can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours for the effects of edibles to kick in, with the effects lasting several hours. Consumers have reported stronger body effects with a more substantial head high when taken in large doses. Starting smaller results in more mild and comfortable effects. Even though edibles may have more potent effects than smoking, they actually deliver a smaller concentration of cannabinoids to the bloodstream. Only about 10-20 percent of THC is introduced by ingesting edibles and other cannabinoids to the blood plasma. Consuming cannabis by inhaling falls closer to 50-60 percent. Smoking cannabis peaks within the first 10 minutes and its effects wear off over the next 30-60 minutes.

 

Edibles vs. Smoking: Pros and Cons

Between edibles versus smoking weed, there are benefits to both. The effects of inhaling and ingesting cannabis vary with each individual. For example, edibles can be a healthier choice than smoking, but smoking may be more beneficial to individuals who want to feel the effects sooner and don’t want to feel the effects for a long time. The cost between edibles and smoking also varies. 

Edibles come in many forms, allowing variety in consumption. You can try gummies, chocolates, or even mints. The effects of cannabis from edibles also last much longer than smoking making it a good option for those who want a longer-lasting high. And in the opposite direction, smoking is an ideal option for those who want to feel the effects of cannabis more quickly and don’t want to wait to experience the high or have the effects last too long.

Edibles are especially a popular choice for medical patients. They can provide relief from chronic conditions without the negative aspects of smoking, and the relief lasts longer, as the effects of smoking dissipate more quickly. We recommend starting small with edibles as they can vary between potency and the individual. If typical delta 9 THC feels nerve-racking to try, delta 8 THC may be a great option — as it has many of the potential benefits of delta 9 THC without many of the adverse psychoactive effects.

Now you have all of the information for edibles vs smoking weed pros and cons to decide the best method of consumption for you! When it comes to eating weed vs smoking, you’re the one who can make the best decision for yourself. 

While both types of products have their unique perks, you might be undecisive about which one is better for you when trying out weed. 

Let’s quickly explore the pros and cons of both ways of consuming cannabis.

Pros of Smoking

• Easier to dose. As you can control how much smoke you pull, you can control how high you want to get easily.
• Quicker effects. Jays and smoking through a pipe can get you high quicker, with as little as a few seconds to a few minutes as THC gets into your bloodstream.
• It is part of a cannabis ritual. Smoking and having the “puff puff pass” moment is part of the cannabis culture, and some people might want to feel that ritual while smoking.

Cons of Smoking

• Affects your lungs. All smoke might be harmful to your lungs, so while the herb itself is not dangerous as nicotine, it can damage your lungs by heat alone.
• Not very discreet. While some jays are more discreet, you’ll generally have some of the herb smell on you after you finish. If you care about this, you might be better off with a vape pen or a cannabis-infused gummy.

Pros of Edibles

• Discreet and easy to consume. While smoking needs a technique level, edibles are great if you don’t want second looks as it’s just a gummy.
• Smokeless experience. Edibles provide a fully non-smoking experience, perfect if you don’t want to try pulling smoke or getting a skunky smell on your clothes.
• Better for therapeutic effects. If you want to enjoy cannabis’ wellness effects, edibles like gummies can make the effects last longer even if you microdose. So for chronic pain users, this could be a better option over smoking.

Cons of Edibles

• Pretty potent, so not as beginner friendly. This could be a whole debate topic, but if you are a newcomer to the cannabic space, you might want to start with a lower dose. Trust us; some people feel discouraged about cannabis because they had a bad experience with a brownie.
• Herb taste. Some edibles can have a weird aftertaste that not everyone likes. That’s why our gummies are covered in a sugar mix to make that skunky taste bearable.

In the end, both provide incredible experiences that can give you both recreational and therapeutic time. Just make sure to understand the differences between both and find the one that works for you.

 

Edibles vs. Smoking: Anxiety

Before we move on, there’s an important topic we must touch on. While the ingestion of THC in high doses can give you anxiety, it depends on the potency, tolerance, and of course the cannabinoid in question.

Delta 8 THC is a generally milder cannabinoid, but in higher quantities (over 100mg) can still have some side effects. Unless you are an experienced user, we do not recommend exceeding the 25mg of D8 THC when consuming edibles at first.

So in that sense, edibles potentially have a bigger chance of giving you nasty side effects. This is also due to how they are metabolized, as cannabinoids can have more bioavailability when consumed this way. With that said, smoking concentrates or stronger cannabinoids like THC-O or THC-P, which are anywhere from 3 to 20 times stronger than D9 THC can also give this sort of effect.

In the end, just make sure to try cannabinoids in a safe space. Drink lots of water, and remember CBD can also help to ease anxiety from THC in its different forms.

 

For more information on smoking vs. edibles, watch the following video: