Smoking Cannabis vs Edibles

Smoking is the most common way to consume cannabis, but it’s not the only way. Edibles are another popular form of consumption, and they come in many varieties. In this article, we’ll compare smoking vs edibles to help you decide which one is better for you.

Smoking Positives

Smoking Cannabis is Relaxing

Smoking cannabis is simple and straightforward: You light up a joint or bowl, inhale the smoke, and feel the effects almost immediately. The experience of smoking can be very calming and relaxing—that’s why people often smoke before bed or when they want to relax after a long day at work.

There’s something undeniably calming about drawing cannabis smoke in and exhaling it in a thick stream of cloudy happiness.

Smoking is far more Social

There’s nothing that quite beats sitting in a room with your friends enjoying a smoke. There’s something about the air being scented with the thick, cloying aroma of cannabis as you pass a joint or bowl around your circle of peers. In our opinion, this is the way cannabis should be enjoyed. It’s how we grew up with cannabis and having this ambiance taken away would mean the experience wouldn’t quite be the same.

Smoking Cannabis Offers an Immediate High

While it takes your body quite some time to digest the THC in edibles, smoking cannabis offers a near-immediate high. We will go into this a little more when discussing edibles but we strongly feel that we’re in the majority when we say we’re not fans of waiting around to feel stoned.

The Cons of Smoking

Health

The main downside to smoking cannabis is health. Oftentimes cannabis is mixed with smoking tobacco to help it last a little longer and to burn more evenly. While smoking cannabis doesn’t necessarily need to involve tobacco, many are still worried about the long-term effects inhaling the substance has on the respiratory system.

The Smell

Many users of cannabis like to be discreet about their use and there’s no denying that the smell of cannabis is lingering, heavy, aromatic, and distinctive. This is where the use of edibles becomes an ideal means of ingestion. If you’re at work, school, or church, no one can smell edibles.

The Pros of Edibles

Edibles are more Intense

Edibles are made from concentrated THC. The extraction process means what you eventually digest is THC in its purest form. Because of this, the high from edibles is far more intense than that you would experience through smoking.

It’s important to remember to take edibles in small doses if you haven’t tried them before.

Edibles are Great for those that don’t want to Smoke

If for whatever reason, you’re averse to smoking cannabis, edibles are a great alternative. In small doses, they can easily substitute the mellow and relaxing high of smoking the buds.

Edibles are Discreet

The discreet nature of edibles makes them perfect for those that don’t want to announce what they’re doing. This makes them the go-to choice for those that find THC helps with their day-to-day activities and those still living at home.

The Cons of Edibles

They Take too Long to take Effect

While smoking a joint offers near-instant effects and/or relief, eating edibles takes a lot longer to hit. This is because your body needs to break down the THC so your system can absorb it. This can take anywhere up to two hours and a lot of users fall into the trap of taking more thinking they’re not working.

Summary

So, there you have it. The pros and cons of cannabis in both forms pretty much outweigh each other. Edibles take longer to kick but are more discreet, while smoking cannabis is a far more relaxing means and far more sociable. With that being said, it’s all down to your personal preferences and smoking situation.