With the legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis across Canada, many people are trying the herb for the first time. For an inexperienced cannabis consumer it can be difficult to wade through all the information out there to get the answers that matter the most. One of the common questions that people ask with regards to cannabis is how long the effects last. The answer to that question is that it depends upon several factors including the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level in the cannabis strain, method of ingestion, and dosage amount.
What Are the Effects of Cannabis?
When a person ingests cannabis through smoking or eating, compounds within the plant called cannabinoids connect to receptors in the brain. These receptors send out messages of euphoria, happiness, well-being, and relaxation. Some people may feel highly energetic after smoking a joint, while others may feel sleepy and relaxed. The reason for these differences is all in the specific level, or percentage, of one cannabinoid called Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short.
How Long do the Effects Last?
If you’re planning on smoking your cannabis, you can expect the effects to begin within a few minutes. On average, smokers experience the effects of cannabis anywhere from one to three hours. If you’re going to be consuming edibles, however, you need to be a bit more patient. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour for the effects to kick in, but they’ll last anywhere from four to eight hours. No matter what method you choose, you’ll notice a peak in the high and then a slow decline as the cannabis wears off.
