Cannabis edibles offer a completely different experience from smoking or vaping. They're discreet, long-lasting, and don't require any equipment—but they also come with a learning curve that catches many newcomers off guard.
This guide covers everything you need to know about edibles: how they work, how to dose properly, what to expect, and how to handle situations when things get more intense than planned.
How Edibles Work: The Science
Understanding why edibles feel different starts with understanding how your body processes them.
The Digestive Path
When you smoke or vape cannabis, THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs and reaches your brain within minutes. Edibles take a completely different route:
- Digestion: The edible breaks down in your stomach
- Absorption: THC absorbs through your intestinal lining
- First-pass metabolism: Blood carries THC to your liver
- Conversion: Your liver converts THC to 11-hydroxy-THC
- Effects: 11-hydroxy-THC crosses the blood-brain barrier
Why 11-Hydroxy-THC Matters
Here's the key difference: 11-hydroxy-THC is more potent than regular THC and crosses the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. This is why:
- Edibles often feel "stronger" than smoking the same amount of THC
- Effects last much longer (4-8 hours vs 1-3 hours)
- The experience can feel qualitatively different—more body-focused, more intense
This isn't better or worse—it's just different. Once you understand and respect this difference, edibles become a valuable option in your cannabis toolkit.
Dosing: The Most Important Section
Proper dosing is the difference between an enjoyable edible experience and an uncomfortable one. The golden rule: start low, go slow.
Recommended Starting Doses
| Experience Level | Recommended Dose | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| First time ever | 2.5mg THC | Mild effects, good for testing sensitivity |
| New to edibles | 5mg THC | Noticeable but manageable effects |
| Occasional user | 5-10mg THC | Moderate effects |
| Regular user | 10-25mg THC | Strong effects |
| High tolerance | 25-50mg+ THC | Very strong effects |
Important: These are starting points. Your ideal dose depends on your body weight, metabolism, tolerance, and individual sensitivity. Some people are naturally more sensitive to edibles than others.
See our detailed dosing chart →
The Waiting Game
The most common edible mistake: not waiting long enough and taking more.
Timeline to expect:
- 0-30 minutes: Usually nothing yet
- 30-90 minutes: Effects may begin
- 90 minutes - 2 hours: Most people feel effects by now
- 2-4 hours: Peak effects
- 4-8 hours: Gradual decline
The rule: Wait at least 2 hours before considering a second dose. Many uncomfortable experiences happen because someone took more at the 45-minute mark thinking "it's not working."
Learn more about onset times →
Factors That Affect Onset
- Stomach contents: Empty stomach = faster onset but potentially more intense. Full stomach = slower onset but often smoother.
- Metabolism: Faster metabolisms process edibles quicker
- Body composition: THC is fat-soluble, so body composition plays a role
- Product type: Beverages and sublingual products absorb faster than baked goods
Types of Edibles
Gummies and Candies
Pros: Precisely dosed, discreet, long shelf life, variety of flavours
Cons: Easy to overeat if they taste good, sugar content
Onset: 30 minutes - 2 hours
Gummies are the most popular edible format for good reason: consistent dosing makes them beginner-friendly, and they're easy to portion (cut a 10mg gummy in half for 5mg).
Chocolates
Pros: Delicious, often segmented for easy dosing, fat content may aid absorption
Cons: Can melt, dosing less precise in artisan products
Onset: 30 minutes - 2 hours
Quality cannabis chocolates offer a premium experience. Look for products with segmented pieces that make dosing straightforward.
Beverages
Pros: Faster onset (often 15-30 minutes), refreshing, social
Cons: Effects may not last as long, less portable
Onset: 15-45 minutes (nano-emulsion technology)
Cannabis beverages using nano-emulsion technology offer the fastest-acting edible experience. Great for social situations where you want more control over timing.
Learn about nano-emulsion technology →
Baked Goods
Pros: Traditional experience, satisfying
Cons: Dosing can be inconsistent (especially homemade), shorter shelf life
Onset: 45 minutes - 2 hours
Stick with lab-tested products from licensed producers. Homemade edibles are notoriously inconsistent in dosing.
Capsules and Oils
Pros: Precise dosing, no taste, easy to incorporate into routine
Cons: Less fun than flavoured options, oils can have strong taste
Onset: Capsules: 45 minutes - 2 hours. Sublingual oils: 15-45 minutes
Capsules work like traditional edibles. Oils taken under the tongue (sublingual) absorb faster because they bypass the digestive system.
What to Do If You Take Too Much
It happens to almost everyone eventually. Here's how to handle it:
First, Know This
No one has ever died from a cannabis overdose. You may feel very uncomfortable, but you will be okay. The effects will pass.
Immediate Steps
- Stay calm. Anxiety makes everything feel worse. Remind yourself this is temporary.
- Find a comfortable space. Dim lights, comfortable temperature, somewhere you feel safe.
- Hydrate. Water, juice, or a light snack. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Try CBD. If available, CBD may help counteract some of THC's effects.
- Rest. Sleep is often the best remedy. If you can sleep, do it.
Other Tricks People Use
- Black pepper: Some people find smelling or chewing black peppercorns helps reduce anxiety. The terpenes in pepper may interact with cannabinoids.
- Cold water on face/wrists: Can help ground you and reduce anxiety
- Distraction: A familiar, comforting TV show or music can help time pass
What NOT to Do
- Don't drive or operate machinery
- Don't take more cannabis thinking it will "balance out"
- Don't panic and go to the ER unless you have genuine medical concerns (they can't do much except let you wait it out)
Read our complete guide to handling overconsumption →
Edibles vs Other Consumption Methods
Edibles vs Smoking/Vaping
| Factor | Edibles | Smoking/Vaping |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | 30 min - 2 hours | Minutes |
| Duration | 4-8 hours | 1-3 hours |
| Intensity | Often stronger | More controllable |
| Discretion | Very discreet | Smell, visible vapor |
| Lung impact | None | Some irritation |
| Control | Harder to adjust | Easy to titrate |
Read our full comparison →
Special Considerations
Edibles and Food
Taking edibles with food affects your experience:
- Empty stomach: Faster onset, potentially more intense, may cause stomach discomfort
- Full stomach: Slower onset, often smoother experience, more predictable
- Fatty foods: THC is fat-soluble, so fatty foods may increase absorption
Edibles and Tolerance
Edible tolerance develops separately from smoking tolerance to some degree. Even daily smokers should start with lower edible doses if they're new to them. The 11-hydroxy-THC pathway is different.
Learn about edible tolerance →
Edibles and Other Substances
- Alcohol: Significantly intensifies effects and impairment. Not recommended, especially for beginners.
- Caffeine: May increase anxiety for some people
- Medications: THC can interact with certain medications. Consult a healthcare provider if you take prescription drugs.
Buying Edibles: What to Look For
Check the Label
- THC per piece: Know exactly how much is in each serving
- THC per package: Helps you understand total potency
- CBD content: CBD may moderate THC's effects
- Ingredients: Check for allergens and dietary restrictions
- Expiration date: Edibles do expire
Licensed Products Only
Always buy from licensed retailers. Licensed products are:
- Lab-tested for potency (accurate dosing)
- Lab-tested for contaminants (safety)
- Produced in regulated facilities
- Properly labelled with accurate information
Storage and Shelf Life
- Gummies: 6-12 months in cool, dark place
- Chocolates: 6-12 months, keep cool to prevent melting
- Baked goods: 1-2 weeks (follow package instructions)
- Beverages: Check expiration date, refrigerate after opening
- Capsules/Oils: 6-12 months, store as directed
Always keep edibles away from children and pets. Use child-resistant containers and store out of reach.
Read our complete storage guide →
Find Your Perfect Edible at Smokey's
We carry a carefully curated selection of edibles from trusted licensed producers—from low-dose options perfect for beginners to higher-potency products for experienced consumers. Our budtenders can help you find the right product and dose for your needs.
Not sure where to start? Tell us what experience you're looking for, and we'll guide you to the right product. That's what we're here for.