Written by Shepherd King

How Long for Edibles To Kick In? What To Know

You take a cannabis edible, wait an hour or so, and repeatedly ask yourself: am I high?

If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not the only one.

For as long as THC edibles have been around, people have struggled to sense the moment they hit, and this can make it tricky to measure how long the effects of your edible will last — and whether or not you want to take more to feel the desired effects.

The easiest way to know when the edible kicks in is to learn some common markers that your high is starting and to look out for them after taking an edible.

Before we get to those signs, here’s a bit more background on edibles, how they work, and how to choose the right products for you.

Explore a wide selection of edibles at the Mood Shop. Subscribe to recurring orders to save 15%.

What Are Edible Cannabis Products?

While you can smoke cannabis to get high, that's not your only option.

Edibles are cannabis-infused foods that can come in many forms.

Some of the most popular types of edibles are gummies and hard candies, along with baked goods like brownies and cookies.

When you take a bite of an edible, you both satisfy your sweet tooth and take in psychoactive cannabinoids, the components in the cannabis plant that get you high.

These cannabinoids produce the same effects when consuming edibles as when smoking or vaping cannabis.

Some edibles also include non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD, which can further enhance your experience and balance out your high.

Grab a 9-count of Delta-9 THC Freezer Pops for just $40. Subscribe to save 15%.

The Types of Edibles: What To Try

These are some of the best launching points for your journey with edibles. You can find them all in the Mood Shop:

• Candies: From gummies to taffy to lollipops, you have plenty of options when it comes to yummy

  cannabis candy. These edibles vary in both strength and flavor, so you may have to do some experimenting and exploring to find what you like best.

• Baked Goods: Brownies, cookies, and other baked goods are some of the most iconic and legendary edibles out there. In addition to satisfying your sweet tooth, they may go easier on your digestive system thanks to added fats.

• Drinkables: Syrups are a fun a convenient way to get high, and you can mix them with your drink of choice to get the most out of their active ingredients. Drinkables like liquid THC sryups and pre-mixed beverages often contain high amounts of THC, so they’re not always made to be enjoyed in one sitting.

• Tinctures: Made for sublingual (under the tongue) use, THC tinctures often contain a carefully crafted combination of THC and other cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD).

• Gel Caps: Cannabis gel caps contain precise amounts of THC and additional cannabinoids for a consistently enjoyable high. They’re discreet, compact, and convenient, which makes them an ideal on-the-go option.

Grab a 30-count of 25mg Delta-8 THC Gel Caps for just $49. Subscribe and save 15%.

How Your Body Processes Edibles: The Effects

When it comes to the psychoactive effects of cannabis edibles, there are two main terms to understand: onset time and duration.

The onset or activation time of an edible is the amount of time it takes for you to begin to feel the effects, and the duration is the length of time those effects last.

The onset of the effects of an edible begins immediately after consumption and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) you take in.

The duration of the effects of cannabis-infused edibles can be another two to three hours (or much, much longer if you consume more than the recommended THC content).

Cannabis edibles from reliable sources should have edible dosing recommendations on the product packaging, but you may want to start smaller if you’re just getting started with edibles and cannabis use for the first time.

Learn more about how it feels to be high from the Mood Blog.

Knowing When the Edibles Have Kicked In

Here are some signs to look for that can help you determine whether your edible has kicked in, giving you an idea of when the onset period has ended and the duration period has started.

• Red eyes. You might find that your eyes begin to redden before you feel any other effects. This mild side effect can be a good indicator that a high is just around the corner.

• Droopy eyelids. Similarly, you may also experience droopy eyelids. If you feel like your eyes are starting to close slightly, the full effects of the edible have likely started to hit.

• Giggling. Feeling lighter, happier, and a bit more giggly than you were a little while ago? You’re likely feeling the effects of weed edibles and can rest assured your experience is on track.

• Feeling relaxed. Relaxation is the main reason that many people turn to cannabis food products, and the right intake of edibles can leave you feeling completely

  chilled out. If you start to feel your stress dwindle, it’s probably the edible at work.

• Tingling sensations. For some people, slight tingling feelings or vibrations begin when an edible starts to do its work. This can be most common with body-soothing edibles designed to help you relax.

• Time lapses. Noticing that you’re zoning out (or focusing in) more than usual can be an indicator that a cannabis-infused edible has kicked in. You may be working on a task and suddenly notice that more time has passed than you realized. On the other hand, you may feel like just a few moments last longer than usual.

• Noise sensitivity. It’s common to be more sensitive to or surprised by sudden sounds when you’re smoking cannabis or eating edibles, and noticing this can be a good indicator that the activation time of your edible has come to an end.

• Getting hungry. The munchies are a classic symptom of cannabis consumption, especially at higher THC levels. Feeling hungry when you weren’t before can mean that the edible is starting to work its magic.

• Feeling connected. Many people take edibles socially and noticing even a small increase in your connections or closeness to others can be a subtle sign that your edibles have kicked in.

Grab a 10-count of Hero Dose Rapid Onset THC Gummies for just $39. Subscribe to save 15%.

What If I Don’t Notice the Effects of an Edible?

At the end of the day, everyone’s body is different.

The activation period and duration outlined for any given product isn’t always one-size-fits-all, and learning to recognize these signs can help you better optimize your edible consumption — and figure out what works best for you.

If you don’t notice the effects of an edible, your best options are to try a product with more mg of THC or wait a bit longer after ingestion. It can take over an hour for an edible to do its work, with some acting faster than others.

If you’re in the market for new edibles, you’ve come to the right place. Mood is an online dispensary that delivers high-quality cannabis directly to your door. Our shop features tinctures, candies, gummies, and much more, so there’s something for everyone.

Shop our entire selection of edibles today. Subscribe to save 15%.

How Long for Edibles To Kick In: FAQs

Q: Are edibles legal?

A: The Farm Bill changed the way edibles are regulated in many parts of the US, impacting their legality. Under this bill, edibles are labeled hemp products if they contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, while any products over this threshold are deemed marijuana, which is illegal.

Because of the Farm Bill, you can order edibles online from the Mood Shop in many parts of the USA. Check your state’s specific regulations for cannabis products before you order.

Q: Will edibles make me fail a drug test?

A: Just like inhaling cannabis, edibles introduce psychoactive cannabinoids like Delta-9 THC into your system, which will show up on a drug test.

A urinalysis test, one of the most common testing methods used, can detect these cannabinoids in your system for as long as 90 days. This type of test doesn't distinguish between consumption methods — it just recognizes when you consume cannabis in any form.

Q: What do edibles taste like?

A: Your experience with edibles will depend on what you decide to order from a high-quality source like the Mood Shop. Our edibles are expertly crafted with carefully selected ingredients, so you can always count on them to be delicious.

Q: Can I take edibles on an empty stomach?

A: You can take edibles without eating other food, but having something else in your system can be helpful. Some folks report that taking edibles on an empty stomach makes them feel a bit nauseous, but a high-fat meal balances out this common issue.

Q: How does using an edible compare to smoking or vaping?

A: Edibles don’t require you to inhale to get high, which makes them an ideal option for anyone who prefers not to smoke. They’re also more discreet than smoking or vaping, which makes them easier to enjoy on the go.

Q: Can you tell me how long edibles last?

A: Edibles can stay fresh for several months if you store them well. Keep your uneaten cannabis products in a cool, dry place and take note of their expiration date for the best possible experience. If your edibles expire, go ahead and chuck them out.

Mood: High-Quality Edibles and More

The Mood Shop is the best place to find top-shelf edibles in multiple delicious forms. Here are a few must-try highlights from our collection.

Delta-9 THC Sour Rainbow Belts

These high-potency candies are full of nostalgic flavor. They’re a faithful recreation of a beloved classic, now infused with Delta-9 THC from American-grown cannabis. With high THC content, a little bit goes a long way.

Save $30 or more when you pick up a 30-count of Delta-9 THC Sour Rainbow Belts for just $75. Subscribe to save 15%.

Sleepytime Delta-9 THC Gummies

Created to help you wind down and relax at night, these gummies provide a mellow, calming high and come in three delicious flavors. They feature cannabidiol (CBD) for an extra boost of relaxation that balances out the high.

Save $20 or more when you choose a 30-count of Sleepytime THC Gummies for just $65. Subscribe and save 15%.

Euphoric Nano THC Syrup

This delicious syrup mixes in seamlessly with a drink of your choice for a potent high. With a bit of uplifting green tea caffeine, it’s the perfect pick-me-up for the middle of the day. The expertly crafted formula has a natural wild cherry flavor that will keep you coming back for more.

Grab a 2oz bottle of Euphoric Nano THC Syrup for just $30. Subscribe to save 15%.

Delta-9 THC Watermelon Rings

With a shape, texture, and flavor that you already know and love, these watermelon-flavored THC gummies are as yummy as it gets. With a potent combination of Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC, they provide a powerful, energizing high.

Snag a bag of 10 Delta-9 THC Watermelon Rings for just $60. Subscribe to save 15%.

About Mood

We believe that everyone has different moods, and improving yours should be easy.

That’s why we created Mood, an online source for high-quality cannabis from America’s favorite farms that helps you quickly and easily get to your best mood.

Explore more top-tier cannabis products in the Mood Shop.

Prices subject to change.

Sources

Marijuana (Cannabis, Weed) | Cleveland Clinic

Edible Cannabis Affects People Differently ‘start low - go slow’ | Cannabis Clarity Canada

Delta-8-THC: Delta-9-THC’s nicer younger sibling? | Journal of Cannabis Research