10mg Edible vs Joint: A Comparative Exploration of Cannabis Consumption Methods

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Following the legalization of cannabis across different states, understanding the different consumption methods is now crucial for users, as more and more people are exploring the potential effects of using weed.

Among the many forms of using cannabinoids, two methods stand out as two of the most popular: edibles and joints. But do they pack the same punch? What is the difference between 10 mg edible vs joint?

In today’s guide, we’ll answer all these questions (and more) to help you decide which method is more suitable for your needs. Let’s dive right in!

Is 10mg of Edibles the Same as 10mg Joint?

No, 10mg of edibles is not the same as a 10mg joint. The effects and absorption differ significantly due to how the body processes each form of cannabis.

A lot of people think that the route of administering cannabis doesn’t matter as long as you’re introducing the same amount of the active ingredient. However, this is a common misconception that can lead to various problems if you’re not careful.

Of course, the potency of cannabis products is heavily linked to the concentration of the main psychoactive compound in it, known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-THC, or simply THC.

That being said, the amount of THC in medical cannabis isn’t the only aspect that affects its potency, as the route of administration also has drastic effects on how our bodies absorb and process cannabis.

How Does Cannabis Work?

Before diving into further details about different consumption methods, you should first understand how cannabis works in general, including its mechanism of action and effect on the brain.

As previously established, the main active ingredient of cannabis is THC. However, it’s not the only active ingredient in cannabis, as there are also cannabidiol (commonly known as CBD) in addition to other terpenes and flavonoids that may contribute to the overall effect of the drug.

The effects of cannabis, both psychoactive and therapeutic, are mediated by the body’s endocannabinoid system.

This system produces its own natural cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids, which bind to various receptors in the body to regulate several physiological and cognitive processes, including CB1 and CB2 receptors.

When THC and other ingredients reach the brain, they bind to these receptors, especially CB1, triggering the effects of cannabis, which range from positive ones like relaxation and euphoria to adverse reactions like confusion and impaired reactions.

How Do Cannabis Edibles Differ from Smoking Weed?

Cannabis edibles differ from smoking weed in onset time, duration, and intensity of effects. Edibles take longer to kick in, last longer, and can produce stronger, body-focused effects compared to smoking.

Now that you know the difference between cannabis and weed, it’s time to dive in deeper and explore the different effects of each one, so you’re able to make an educated decision about the right method for you.

Dosage Forms

Cannabis comes in a wide range of forms, whether ingested or inhaled. For instance, among the most common edible cannabis products are brownies.

However, it also comes in the form of gummies, chocolate bars, marijuana edibles, beverages, etc. These edibles are the ones that involve ingesting, swallowing, digesting, and metabolizing.

You should also note that some edibles don’t actually involve ingestion, such as candies and lozenges. In that case, the edibles stay in the mouth where they’re absorbed buccally or sublingually (through the cheeks or under the tongue, respectively).

On the other hand, joints are consumed through smoking. Like edibles, smoking cannabis can also take a variety of forms, including bongs, vaping, tinctures, and more.

These are typically found in certified dispensaries in states where smoking marijuana is legal, such as New York, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Arizona, and Illinois.

The Route of Administration and Metabolism

This is the main difference between different forms of cannabis and will have an effect on most of the following aspects of comparison.

When cannabis is smoked through joints, THC and other active ingredients enter the bloodstream directly through the lungs.

This bypasses any form of metabolization or processing by the body, so the compounds and chemicals in cannabis reach the brain and other tissues technically unchanged (remains 9-delta-THC).

On the other hand, when you swallow an edible, it undergoes a process of digestion and absorption. Following these two processes, the liver metabolizes THC, turning it into 11-hydroxy-THC.

That being said, edibles that aren’t meant to be swallowed, such as lozenges and candies, also reach the bloodstream directly through the blood capillaries surrounding the mouth tissues.

In other words, while they’re technically edibles, their effects are typically more in line with smoking rather than edibles.

Onset of Effects

As you might have guessed, when you smoke joints instead of ingesting cannabis, the onset of action is much shorter, so you should experience the effects of weed almost immediately. Ideally, the full effects of cannabis will kick in within 2 to 10 minutes of consuming it.

As for the edibles, THC and other compounds need to pass through an extensive process of digestion, absorption, and metabolism.

Through this process, the edibles need to pass through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines before reaching the liver where it’s metabolized before entering the bloodstream.

This extended process results in a delayed onset of effects, so it usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours before the effects of edibles are in action.

Intensity of Effects and Duration of Action

Although the THC content doesn’t have a major impact on the onset of the reaction, it has a significant impact on the intensity of the effects.

That being said, if you consume 10 mg of THC through joints and edibles, you’ll notice that the effects of edibles are more pronounced.

This is because the metabolic conversion of 9-delta-THC to 11-hydroxy-THC results in a more potent form of the compound. Additionally, it has a relatively longer duration of action than smoking counterparts.

As a general rule, the effects of smoking cannabis are generally shorter-lived, lasting anywhere between 1 to 3 hours at best. However, if you consume edibles of the same THC concentration, the more potent effects will typically peak at 4 hours and last up to 12 hours.

Of course, other smoking-related factors like puffing frequency and inhalation depth can also impact potency and duration.

Side Effects

Smoking cannabis introduces harmful byproducts that result from the combustion process. These compounds can harm the lungs and cause irreversible damage in the long run. It can also damage small blood vessels from constant irritation.

Since edibles bypass the lungs, they don’t cause this type of adverse reaction. However, while consuming cannabis through THC edibles, you’re still at risk of all other side effects associated with marijuana use, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Impaired body coordination and problem-solving
• Slow reactions
• Mood swings
• Hallucinations and delusions (when consumed in high doses)

Legality

According to a report by the National Conferences of State Legislatures, recreational (non-medical) cannabis use is legal in 24 states, and medical use is legal in 38.

However, some states may have strict regulations regarding the forms of legal cannabis within their territory. Even within states, regulations can still vary by city and county, so you have to keep that in mind while making up your mind.

The Advantages and Downsides of Edibles

Both edibles and joints have their unique characteristics. To help you decide between the two, here’s a brief overview of the main pros and cons of using them, compared to smoking.

Pros

• Allows you to have better monitoring of your dosage since you’ll be able to control the amount of THC in homemade edibles.
• Doesn’t irritate the lungs and eyes like smoked varieties
• Masks the flavor and scent associated with marijuana smoking

Cons

• More expensive than joints, and can range widely depending on the quality of edibles
• Introduces the risk of food allergies
• Can cause stomach upsets
• Increases the risk of accidental use by others (especially younger individuals) with a lack of supervision.
• The deliciousness factor may encourage overconsumption, which can lead to a higher risk of overdoses.

Is 10 mg a Safe Dose as an Edible?

The answer here depends mainly on the amount of THC you typically consume. As previously established, eating edibles typically results in more potent effects than smoking.

In other words, if you’re transitioning from smoking to consuming edibles, you may need to reduce your THC dosage to achieve similar effects.

For example, if you already consume 10 mg of THC while smoking you may want to start with 5 mg of THC in edibles and see if it achieves the same results when it comes into full effect.

However, for a first-time user, you should typically start with a low dose of 2.5 mg or lower. If you’re using cannabis for medicinal purposes, you should stick to the recommended dosage prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between edibles and smoking is essential to ensure your safety while consuming THC.

As you can see, 10 mg of edibles will take longer to come into full effect when compared to smoking them in joints. However, they’ll provide a much more potent and longer-lasting effect due to the higher potency of metabolized THC.

In the end, remember that different states and regions will have their own regulations regarding marijuana use, so it’s important to abide by them.

You should also keep in mind that marijuana is an addictive substance that can lead to serious long-term effects when consumed irresponsibly. If you or a loved one is struggling with marijuana addiction, contact Live Free Recovery Services to receive immediate help.