Since the introduction of ‘cannabis 2.0’ products in Canada, users who prefer to take their cannabis orally (as opposed to smoking or vaporizing it) have had an increased number of options, from cannabis-infused gummies and chocolates, to high-potency extract products aimed at experienced users. Prior to that, users could access only two forms of oral cannabis—cannabis oils and cannabis gel caps. Now, users can choose from a wider range of infused edible products, from candies to beverages, with even cannabis-infused cauliflower to choose from.
Cannabis edibles and cannabis oils are not radically different products. They both offer an alternative to inhalation (either through a vaporizer or smoked). Both are taken orally, and in both cases the body will metabolize cannabinoids like THC and CBD slightly differently than when inhaled, leading to more potent effects with a longer duration. However, though they share some similarities, edible products are not direct substitutes for cannabis oil (and vice versa)—each carries advantages depending on your needs and preferences.
How are they made?
The biggest and most obvious difference is that edibles and oils look and taste like radically different products, even if they are akin to cousins. Most cannabis oils are composed simply of a carrier oil (often MCT oil, a form of coconut oil) that is infused with cannabinoids.
Edibles, on the other hand, often make use of a variety of infused ingredients and non-infused ingredients to make a finished food product. Some might be made with cannabutter (butter infused with cannabis), while others may use cannabis distillates or extracts that are then worked into the product. Many cannabis beverages make use of nanoemulsion technology to suspend cannabinoids in liquids. Many users report that their experiences differ slightly based on the exact method and recipe of infusion.
Method of Consumption
How you take them is different, too. Cannabis edibles are consumed orally, with cannabinoids processed through the digestive system and the liver. When taken this way, the onset time is usually around 30 to 90 minutes, and the effects will last between four and eight hours, usually. The slower onset and longer duration of effects are due to the fact that the cannabinoids are first metabolized by the liver, which converts THC into a more potent variation called 11-hydroxy-THC. This form of THC has been found by studies to be more potent than regular delta-9-THC and appears in higher quantities in the bloodstream. “Hence,” researchers conclude, “it may be responsible for the stronger and longer-lasting drug effect of edibles vis-a-vis comparable doses of smoked cannabis.” However, the bioavailability of THC and CBD is low when taken orally because the stomach will degrade some of the cannabinoids in a process known as ‘first pass metabolism’.
While cannabis oil can also be taken orally (some people like to add them to regular food or drinks, for example), they are often consumed sublingually, meaning you put the oil under your tongue. This can have a big impact on the speed of onset and potency since the bioavailability of cannabinoids like THC is thought to be higher when taken sublingually, as this bypasses the first-pass metabolism process in the gut. Sublingual administration allows for cannabinoids to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through capillaries under the tongue. Users often report that the onset is quicker (around 15 to 45 minutes) and the total duration shorter (between two and four hours).
Dosages
Cannabis edibles and oils differ when it comes to dosages. While cannabis edibles are limited by Canadian regulations to include no more than 10mg of THC per package, an individual bottle of cannabis oil can contain up to 1,000mg of THC in total. This often makes oils a more common choice for patients who require a high dosage to control their symptoms, as well as for recreational users who enjoy larger amounts of THC.
There are also differences in how finely you are able to adjust your dosage. With edibles, you are generally limited by what the producer is offering. Many products will contain either 2mg, 5mg, or 10mg of THC. With oils, however, you are able to customize to a greater degree. Most bottles of oil come with droppers that allow the user to use as much or as little cannabis oil as they require.
Which is better?
There’s no way to answer definitively which is a better way to take your cannabis—it all comes down to personal taste and intended effect.
For many this is literal. Because it rarely contains flavouring or additives, users often report that cannabis oil can taste unpleasant or “weed-y,” especially when taken on its own. On the other hand, cannabis edibles are often sweetened and flavoured, tasting like candy or baked goods, and are generally much more palatable.
Differences in intended onset and effect will matter for that decision as well. Users who require a faster, stronger onset to manage their symptoms may prefer a sublingual cannabis oil. Those who need longer-lasting relief may gravitate towards edibles since their effects can often last for much longer.
“Many medical cannabis patients prefer to use sublingual products rather than smoke or vape to avoid the exposure to smoke and other byproducts of combustion,” writes dietitian and cannabis consultant Bonnie Johnson. “Moreover, for novice users, these products are superior to edibles because they limit first-pass liver metabolism and thus the conversion of delta-9-THC to the more psychoactive form 11-hydroxy-THC, which may cause an extra-intense high that’s been known to make medical cannabis users uneasy.”
Ultimately, however, it comes down to personal preference. The effects of cannabis edibles and cannabis oils can be less predictable and can differ depending on a number of factors (including weight, metabolism and whether or not you’re taking them on an empty stomach). As always with edible cannabis products, the golden rule is simple, and easy to remember: start low, and go slow.