When it comes to cannabis, not all highs are created equal. 

Smoking, edibles, and drinkables offer vastly different experiences—and some people find themselves gravitating to edibles and bevs rather than combustibles. Whether you’re after the quick-hit euphoria of smoking, the full-body relaxation of edibles, or the refreshing buzz from drinks, there’s a method for everyone. 

Here’s why edibles are the cannabis delivery system of choice for many.

Edibles Give You a Different Kind of High

High is high, right?

Not so much when it comes to smoking vs. edibles vs. drinkables.

The Smoking High

When you smoke weed, you’re absorbing that THC through your lungs, where it hits your bloodstream all at once. The effects come on quickly, usually last an hour or two, and give you a euphoric head high. 

The Edible High

When you eat edibles, the whole experience is much different. Those gummies have to be processed in your system before you feel any effect—first in the stomach, and then in the liver. This is why the high from edibles can take an hour or two to kick in. And it’s why people tend to make the classic mistake of taking a second edible only 30 minutes after the first, thinking that they didn’t take enough. Then both edibles kick in and they’re on a ride they can’t get off. 

During the metabolizing process, the THC in your edibles will be converted to more potent 11-hydroxy-THC in your liver. The resulting high can be stronger than the high from smoking. And rather than that euphoric head high, you may experience an all-over body high. We’re talking full physical relaxation, a floaty numb feeling, and sometimes a good case of the giggles. 

Plus, the high can last much longer with edibles. You might feel it for four to eight hours—sometimes even longer with a high dose—compared to one or two hours with smoking. 

The Drinkable High

The high from drinkables is a different beast yet again. 

The THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids in your canna-bevs are specially formulated to dissolve in liquid. As soon as you take a sip, you start to absorb those micro-particles through your mouth into your bloodstream. And the rest are absorbed through your stomach lining before they get digested and passed into your liver. 

So no waiting two hours—you’ll start to feel the effects in 15-20 minutes, and people generally stay high for an hour to 90 minutes. And since the THC is absorbed without metabolizing into  11-hydroxy-THC, you usually get a more mellow high than you’d experience with edibles.

Exact effects are going to depend on the blend in your drink. Some prioritize THC, while others add lots of extra cannabinoids like CBD, THCA, and CBG. You might find gentle relaxation, a focus and energy boost, or a buzzy euphoria. 

Edibles & Drinkables Are Easy to Dose (Once You Know How They Affect You)

Some smokers love to experiment with different strains. They want to explore the wide range of strengths and terpene effects, working their way down the dispensary shelf giving a go to everything on the dispensary shelves. 

Along with that kind of experimentation comes uncertainty. According to the National Library of Medicine, the potency of cannabis more than tripled between 1995 and 2019. And the THC content of any individual flower can vary widely based on the strain, ripeness at the time of harvest, soil nutrients, and even watering schedule. 

So for those who want to know what they’re getting, a nice little label with a nice little THC content statement is a major plus. If you know 5mg is your sweet spot, then what’s easier than popping a 5mg gummy and waiting for the fun to start?

Just remember, it may take a few tries to find the right balance for you. The high from edibles can be intense, so start slow. And what you eat along with those edibles can impact your high. When you partake on an empty stomach, you may experience faster, stronger effects. But when you use edibles on a full stomach, the experience may last longer. 

Gummies & Canna-Bevs Taste Great

Some people live for the skunky, earthy taste of cannabis flower. 

But it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. 

So if you’re not wild about dank—and have the option to find your high inside a sweet gummy, piece of chocolate, or a can of fruity spritzer—why not go for it? There are even cannabis spirits that you can use to make your own infused drinks at home. You can mix them with juices, sodas, and even liqueurs for a classy canna-cocktail. 

We’re pretty partial to Erth Wellness Gummies, in flavors like Strawberry, Pineapple, and Cotton Candy. 

Edibles Are Lung-Friendly

Smoking weed is still smoking. And while cannabis smoke doesn’t contain the same concentration of carcinogens and toxins as cigarette smoke, it can still be an irritant to your lungs. This holds especially true if you have any kind of respiratory disease, like asthma. It may also impact the immune system and your body’s ability to fight disease. 

So if you’re looking to minimize lung irritation, then edibles and drinkables are the way to go. No scorching and no toxins to inflame those delicate bronchi.

Edibles and Drinkables Are Neat and Discreet

Trying to keep your cannabis consumption on the DL? Avoiding the tell-tale smell of weed is almost impossible when you light up. But edibles and drinkables won’t give you away. 

In fact, if you put your gummies in a different container or pop a koozie on that can, no one will be the wiser. Just make sure to keep an eye on your products if they’re not properly labeled. You don’t want your Great-uncle George to sneak a handful of your gummies…that would make the family reunion a little awkward. 

No Equipment, No Prep

For some people, the smoking experience is half of the joy. Grinding the weed until it’s just right. Packing your bowl how you like it. Even cleaning your pipes and bongs can be a meditative experience. 

But not everyone is into the romance of the ritual. With edibles, there’s nothing to prepare and nothing to clean. Just a tasty treat to pop in your mouth. Then kick back, relax, and wait for the ride to begin.