Nationwide edibles and flower are the two most popular ways of consuming marijuana. We will go into a bit of detail about these two for you today!
There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to how medical marijuana affects your body. There are a lot of things to take into consideration such as the terpene profile, the specific strain, and the levels of THC and CBD. One factor that many too often overlook is the format in which you buy your medical marijuana.
The format is of high priority because the consumption method is actually one of the most important factors in determining the effects cannabis will have on you. This ultimately will impact how you treat your qualifying condition, the effect you will experience and how long you will experience them for.
Inhaling flower versus consuming edibles will give you two different effects for you. The qualifying condition that you are looking to treat will determine which medical marijuana format to use and when!
Today, we will be giving you all the information you need on the difference between flower and edibles, what the effects of each are like and how to know which is best for you!
An Overview of Flower vs. Edibles
Flower:
Inhaling medical marijuana flower is the most common way to consume marijuana, whether it is medical or not. In West Virginia, you can legally purchase marijuana flower once dispensaries open!
Inhaling marijuana flower brings the chemical compounds into your lungs. It is absorbed through the bloodstream right away and makes its way to your brain.
When THC and CBD make it to the brain, it binds with the CB1 and the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This binding is how you feel the effects of medical marijuana!
When inhaling flower, the onset of effects is very short therefore flower is great if you are looking to get fast relief from medical conditions such as chronic pain or cancer.
In order to inhale flower, all you need to do is purchase some flower at your local dispensary once they are open, choose your delivery method (such as joints, a vape or pipe) and you’re all ready to go!
Edibles:
Eating edibles has a very different effect on the body than inhaling flower and can produce a more intense psychoactive effect!
By consuming edibles, the chemical compounds of medical marijuana go through the digestive system and are absorbed through the stomach where then they are metabolized by the liver. The liver converts THC into a separate compound called 11-hydroxy-THC which is more potent and lasts a longer time than THC.
The chemical compounds in the edibles going through the digestive system and liver takes more time before it gets into the brain. Once it reaches the brain however the effects last for a long time and come on with more power than inhaling flower.
In West Virginia right now, edibles are not legally part of the medical marijuana program. But there is hope that they will be in the near future! The Senate approved Senate Bill 590 which would allow edibles to be part of the medical marijuana program. Although edibles are legal yet, they will be once the House and Governor approves of this bill!
Even though edibles may not be on dispensary menus right away, you can always make your own at home on your own using flower so you can control the dosage and ratio of CBD to THC!
Do Edibles and Flower Have Different Effects on the Body?
Flower and edible move through the body in completely different ways. Let’s get into how these two methods of consumption are different!
When you eat edibles, metabolizing the THC takes much longer compared to how fast the onset of effects are for marijuana flower. Edibles can take anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours for you to fully feel! But because the THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver, you're going to feel a much stronger psychoactive effect that lasts.
Inhaling flower goes straight to the brain and works right away so you don’t have a long wait time like you do with edibles. Flower gives you the option to have rapid absorption for immediate relief. But on the other hand, the effects don’t last as long as they do with edibles.
When inhaling, the effects typically can last you one to two hours but with edibles, you can have up to 8 hours of relief! This is why edibles are great for treating conditions like PTSD since the duration of effects is much longer than flower.
Although edibles are great, they do come with a bit of a risk if you are not careful. Sometimes with edibles people can overconsume because of the long wait time.
Too often people take a dose of an edible, think it isn’t strong enough since they don’t feel the effects right away and they take more. Then later when the body fully metabolizes the edibles and it gets to the brain, the dosage ends up being way too much and they can experience an uncomfortable high.
This can be easily avoided by remembering to start low and slow. This goes for all formats of medical marijuana too!
Which Format is Best for You
When it comes to choosing which format of medical marijuana is right for you, keep in mind that everyone is different. What might work for someone else’s medical condition, may not work for yours and vice versa. There is a product and strain out there for everyone so take your time and try different formats as well as consumption methods to find the best fit for you!
With this blog, you have all the tools you need to determine if edibles or flower is right for you. If you’re not sure, try both!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.