The most common form of consuming marijuana is by smoking it. As I did more research on this drug, I learned that there is a very large market for edible marijuana. We are not just talking about just your normal brownies that you see in the movies. There is a huge product line for edible (#edible) versions of marijuana. Everything from oils for cooking to even ice cream. The question everyone wonders is how strong are the edible versions compared to smoking. I am going to delve into consuming weed without smoking it.
Edible Cannabis
First and foremost, edible cannabis is becoming the preferred method of using marijuana. Although smoking is very popular, consider the fact that smoking is bad for your health. Even smoking cannabis does damage to your lungs. Today, consuming marijuana doesn’t have that taboo associated with it. Medical marijuana is becoming more mainstream for treatment of certain disorders such as anxiety, seizures and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Using weed is still at the point where consuming it in public is frowned upon and is used in private.
Along the way, users of weed figured out creatively that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the active ingredient in marijuana can be used in cooking. We are talking about cookies, gummy bears, cakes, hard candies, chocolate bars, teas and more. This variety allows those who don’t want to gain weight from stomach brownies other alternatives. All of these products allow consumers to consume THC anonymously without the smell.
How Effective Are Marijuana Edibles? 
With all of the options for consuming edibles, one wonders which way is better for your health. The traditional way of consumption by smoking gets THC into your bloodstream quickly through your lungs. You get a quick and strong high feeling but it will also depart just as fast. That high feeling you get will not last as long. Also add to the fact that scientific research suggests that smoking anything is actually bad for your health and lungs.
Edibles are split into three basic categories. The first category is those designed for gastrointestinal uptake (stomach). by eating cannabitz products, the effect takes longer to take effect. You are digesting a product which is absorbed in your stomach and then passed onto your bloodstream. So the high feeling you seek will be delayed from starting but that delay will also make that feeling last longer. Your stomach will slowly release THC into the bloodstream as compared to breathing a large amount in. While inhaling will give you 2-3 hours, ingesting it will last 6 to 8 hours. 
The second category is oral uptake (mouth) and uses saliva for absorbing marijuana. These are considered products such as lollipops, gum and lozenges. These are mostly absorbed in your mouth into your bloodstream but you stomach plays a part in digestions as well. The final category is the hybrids such as creams, infused drinks, ointments and patches just to name a few. These can be absorbed through your skin or any other route but don’t fit the first two categories.
Setting Edible Limits 
Any time the government gets involved, there is the desire to control the product at hand for the sake of the consumer. The main point of contention for any food product containing marijuana is how to control the amount of THC in the product. There is always the chance of overdose from consuming too much weed. There is also the need to make all food products consistent with the amount of drug in it. If one were to buy say a chocolate bar containing THC, I am sure you want to get high on a consistent basis. You don’t want one bar to keep you high for 10 hours while another bar only gives you two. Which brings me to the final point of knowing who you are buying from. You always want a trusted source for food products since food poisoning is stronger physically than getting high.
Have you tried any food products containing weed?
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