Are Edibles More Potent Than Flower?

When it comes to comparing the potency of edibles and flower, it's a bit more complicated than simply saying one is more potent than the other. THC is extracted from the cannabis flower in a very concentrated form to make edibles compared to inhaling THC from cannabis flower. But, do weed brownies pack a stronger punch than a well-rolled joint? The short answer is yes, there are some high-dose edibles more potent than flower that will knock your socks off if you aren't careful. So let's find out why.

Comparative Analysis: Cannabis Edibles vs. Flower

It's almost like comparing apples to oranges, a marathon to a sprint, even a shot of espresso to a cup of Joe. Between the two options, their individual characteristics are very different. We're talking about potency, dosage, the onset and duration of effects, and overall body experience when comparing the two. Let's dive a little deeper into the how and why of what makes edibles like sly ninjas and what makes smoking hit you harder and faster than your ex's breakup text.

Smoking hits quick and doesn't last very long.

Edibles gradually creep up within 30 to 60 minutes, and last for hours. 

Fast-acting gummies are made using nanotechnology. Minimizing the size of the cannabis particles for faster absorption into your system. This boosts their kick-in time down to just 15 minutes. 

Method of consumption

Both edibles and flower have a plethora of subcategories. Types of edibles at a dispensary typically include baked goods, candies, beverages, gummies, snacks, or capsules. With flower, you can smoke it using a pipe, bong, or bowl, you can roll it up in a joint, and you can even vaporize dried cannabis flower.

A major perk that comes with consuming edibles is the discreteness. There is no lingering smell of pot, no cloud of smoke, and no preparation

Potency differences between edibles and flower cannabis

The burning information we all want to know. We already stated that there are high-dose edibles that are more potent than flower cannabis. But, there is so much more to think about. For example, the amount of THC being consumed with each method. What does it really mean if you smoke a gram of weed that has 20% THC in comparison to eating a 20mg edible gummy?

What Is the Ideal Dosage for Edibles?

We want to highlight that when it comes to dosage control and precision, edibles offer a strong advantage over smoking. With edibles, you can easily measure the exact amount of THC you are consuming each time. 

Dose Chart

1 - 2.5mg (Microdose)

Relieves stress and anxiety without any psychoactive effects

3 - 5mg (Low)

Provides a mild “high” and perfect for new and infrequent users

10 - 15mg (Moderate)

For experienced users looking for a chill time, some shut-eye, or a break from aches and pains.

20 - 30mg (High)

This powerful dose delivers a hefty amount of euphoria, perfect for battling chronic ailments.

50 - 100mg (Very High)

Best suited for tackling tough physical pains, but steer clear if battling mental health demons!

200 - 500mg (Macrodose)

Beneficial for serious pain and stomach issues, this mega dose needs a careful nibble.

The Metabolic Process and Impact on the Body

Bioavailability of edibles vs bioavailability of smoking cannabis

Well, what exactly is bioavailability? In simple terms it refers to how much THC is actually being absorbed into your bloodstream and how much your body can actually utilize. For example, smoking weed has a higher bioavailability than eating edibles because the THC is absorbed directly into your lungs and bloodstream.

Edibles on the other hand, have to go through your digestive system and liver, which can lower the amount of THC that is actually absorbed during digestion. This is the main reason why some edibles take longer to kick in and have a more mellow effect. With many of us not being totally on board with this waiting game, brands are coming out with fast-acting edibles. This is done by adding in an additional step called nanoemulsion, which increases the edibles bioavailability by breaking the ingredients into smaller particles. Dabble into this new experience of consuming edibles and feeling the effects within 15 minutes with Wana’s Quick Gummies.

What Happens to the Body When You Inhale Flower?

When cannabis flower is smoked, the cannabinoids, including THC, are inhaled into the lungs. The lungs have a large surface area with numerous blood vessels, allowing for rapid absorption of the cannabinoids into the bloodstream. From there, THC quickly reaches the brain, where it interacts with cannabinoid receptors to produce its effects. The immediate absorption is what gives smoking a higher bioavailability and rapid onset of effects.

Ingesting Edible Cannabis: What Happens in the Body?

When you consume cannabis edibles, they are digested in the gastrointestinal tract. The active compounds, such as THC, are absorbed through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. From there, they are transported to the liver, where THC undergoes a process called first-pass metabolism. In the liver, THC is converted into a more potent metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is then released back into the bloodstream, where it can cross the blood-brain barrier and produce its effects.

Health effects: Smoking vs. Ingesting cannabis

Now you know that all the action that happens inside your body when consuming cannabis, let's look at the long-term impact it has. There is the expected respiratory health concerns when smoking and lung damage, but that doesn't mean that edibles are 100% safe. They raise concerns when it comes to our digestive system and possible addiction with long-term edible consumption.

Medicinal Use of Cannabis

Whether it's managing chronic pain, calming your anxiety, fighting depression, or curbing up an appetite, consuming cannabis is a very promising result. Now when you take a look at the difference between medicinal and recreational cannabis products, it comes down to the user. Yeah, there isn't much that separates a 20mg edible for recreational use compared to a 20mg edible for medicinal use.

The more obvious factor being whether or not the patient is willing to smoke cannabis. Someone who has never lit up and inhaled something might not want to start now, especially when faced with a sweet tasting alternative.

Another maybe not so obvious but understandable thing is the actual medicinal factor. While not every recreational user has the main mission of getting stoned, no medicinal patient is consuming cannabis for funsies.

Safety and Risks

What's Safer? Cannabis Edibles vs. Smoking Weed

Just to make it clear... edibles can be looked at as a healthier alternative to smoking weed, but now we are talking about which is safer. By safe we mean not imposing any harm on yourself or those around you. There are some scary risks that come with edibles, scarier than waiting for it to kick in. It's no lie that cannabis edibles taste absolutely gourmet *chef's kiss, but with this comes curiosity from the inexperienced.

Sure you might wreak like pot when you enter a room after smoking a joint, but that's way better than rushing a pet/person to the emergency room after they mistook your edible as something harmless. On the other hand of safety, smoking weed delivers second hand smoke and harmful carcinogens into the air. Then you add in the use of a lighter which makes smoking even more unsafe. The best thing to do is to consume cannabis safely. This ESPECIALLY goes for consuming edibles!! Start low and go slow!