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With all the marijuana gummy bears and cookies available now, it might seem like they&rsquo;re a relatively new invention. Believe it or not, edibles have been around for thousands of years, dating back to the traditional bhang of India to Mary Jane Rathbun&rsquo;s &mdash; so-called Brownie Mary &mdash; <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/recipe-healthy-pot-brownies/?__hstc=202204430.4b44870ec4a577029c49e44b73bd3bee.1632441600098.1632441600099.1632441600100.1&amp;__hssc=202204430.1.1632441600101&amp;__hsfp=2554741007">homemade brownies</a> crafted for suffering AIDS patients in the 1980s.&nbsp;
While they have stuck around so long for many good reasons, what exactly are the benefits of cannabis edibles compared to other products on the market?
This article explores what sets cannabis edibles apart from other consumption methods and offers reasons why you might add them to your medical cannabis arsenal.
<h2 id="cannabis-edibles-are-healthier">Cannabis Edibles Are Healthier</h2>
While most people immediately think of smoking weed when it comes to consuming cannabis, it&rsquo;s not the healthiest choice &mdash; <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-side-effects-of-medical-marijuana/">particularly for medical marijuana patients</a>.&nbsp;
Combusting plant matter and inhaling hot smoke and carcinogens has been shown to have adverse effects on respiratory health and can be particularly troubling for those with asthma. Even though smoking cannabis is far healthier than smoking tobacco, the inflammation of the air pathways can still take a toll.
<a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/cannaoil-recipes/">Edibles offer a smoke-free alternative</a> to those seeking to avoid the potentially harmful effects of inhaling weed smoke while still enjoying all the medical benefits cannabis has to offer.
<h2 id="theyre-easier-to-use">They&rsquo;re Easier to Use</h2>
Edibles hardly leave a trace, making them a discreet and easily transported method of enjoying cannabis <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/is-there-a-best-way-to-consume-cannabis-the-pros-and-cons-of-each-method/?__hstc=202204430.4b44870ec4a577029c49e44b73bd3bee.1632441600095.1632441600096.1632441600097.1&amp;__hssc=202204430.1.1632441600098&amp;__hsfp=614015649">compared to smoking or vaping</a>.
Smoking involves a few tools (at least a lighter for joints), and dabbing&rsquo;s blow torches and complex rigs can be downright intimidating for the novice cannabis user. On the other hand, consuming edibles is easy because we all know how to eat and drink.
<h2 id="the-effects-are-more-potent-and-last-longer">The Effects Are More Potent and Last Longer</h2>
When you smoke or vape cannabis, the cannabinoids quickly enter the lungs and make their way through the bloodstream, first into the brain and then the rest of the body. Conversely, the THC in edibles enters through the digestive tract and is metabolized in the liver before traveling to the rest of the body.&nbsp;
Why is this important? THC is processed in the liver and transforms into a more potent form of THC called 11-hydroxy-THC. This chemical <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-feel-the-benefits-of-cannabis/">takes anywhere from 30-90 minutes to kick in</a>, and the effects last anywhere from six to eight hours. This form of THC is also more effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier, lending a stronger and more sedating experience than other consumption methods.&nbsp;
Remember that the actual onset time and length of an edible high depends on many factors, including dose size, overall tolerance, and the user&rsquo;s unique metabolism and the endocannabinoid system. If you&rsquo;re used to consuming by smoking, start low and go slow with edibles to avoid taking too much without giving your body the time it needs to metabolize the edible.
<h2 id="precise-and-consistent-dosing">Precise and Consistent Dosing</h2>
You&rsquo;ve probably heard horror stories of <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/why-hard-dose-cannabis-edibles/">edibles infused with mystery doses from homemade recipes</a>. With the expansion of legal markets across the US, licensed cannabis producers sell precisely dosed edibles in a wide variety of flavors, recipes, and cannabinoid profiles. It&rsquo;s simple to purchase edibles from your local dispensary, and trust you&rsquo;ll receive the same experience every time.
You can also purchase <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/how-to-make-your-own-cannabis-infused-oil-canna-oil-cannabutter/">cannabis oils</a> or <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/how-to-make-cannabutter/">butter</a>, allowing you to precisely measure and make cannabis edibles at home. There are homemade edible recipes for everything you can think of, including brownies, cookies, and sweets, as well as salad dressings, pasta sauces, and many more options.
<h2 id="health-benefits-of-eating-marijuana">Health Benefits of Eating Marijuana</h2>
Cannabis edibles offer medical marijuana patients a host of potential medical uses and relief. Among many other health benefits, patients use edibles for:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/why-medical-marijuana-works-for-pain/">Pain relief</a>, including chronic pain, neurological pain, and total pain.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reducing <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/cancer/">cancer-related symptoms</a> and anti-tumor properties.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/cannabis-functional-neurological-disorders/">Neuroprotective properties</a>, helping prevent epileptic seizures and muscles spasms and potentially protecting against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer&rsquo;s.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/using-cannabis-to-lose-weight-and-help-control-diabetes/">Managing diabetes symptoms</a> and controlling weight levels and digestive response.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-conditions/arthritis/">Managing inflammation</a> and conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="the-bottom-line-on-cannabis-edibles">The Bottom Line on Cannabis Edibles</h2>
Cannabis edibles offer a high-potency, convenient, and precisely dosed method of experiencing the many benefits cannabis offers. If you&rsquo;re curious about how cannabis edibles can potentially improve your wellness, connect with Leafwell to meet with a licensed medical marijuana doctor and <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-card/">get an MMJ card</a>.

green, purple, and orange gummy bears on a white surface

Content Writer

Shanti Ryle is a content marketer with more than half a decades’ experience writing about cannabis science and culture. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Weedmaps News/Marijuana.com, Wall Street Journal, and other publications.