Doing keyword research on medical cannabis always produces fascinating results. Here is a pretty popular question I recently ran across during a research session: how long does it take for medical cannabis to kick in? It is a valid question given the fact that medical cannabis patients are looking for symptom relief.
Unfortunately, there is no black-and-white answer. Lots of things go into determining the effects a patient will feel, how quickly those effects will be felt, and how long they last. Let us explore the possibilities.
1. Delivery Method
Perhaps the most important consideration is a patient’s chosen delivery method. For clarity, I took a look at Utah’s medical cannabis statute and compared it to what the Beehive Farmacy medical cannabis dispensary in Salt Lake City stocks on their shelves. I came up with products categorized under the following delivery methods:
- Vaping – Vaping medical cannabis is nearly identical to vaping nicotine. The biggest difference is that patients are after THC and CBD. Nicotine is not part of the equation.
- Dry Heating – Dry heating involves the use of a specialized vaporizer that heats raw plant material to a temperature high enough to release THC. The material never gets hot enough to burn.
- Concentrates – THC concentrates, normally sold as tinctures, are utilized by placing a drop or two under the tongue. THC enters the bloodstream through the sensitive skin in that area.
- Edibles – Some patients administer medical cannabis through edible products. A classic example is the THC gummy.
- Topical Products – Certain conditions call for delivery by way of topical application. Lotions, creams, and subdermal patches are all included under this category.
Utah law also allows THC capsules and tablets. I am not sure how many patients actually purchase them. I get the impression they aren’t wildly popular.
Why It Matters
By now, you might be wondering why delivery method matters. I will explain by comparing two types of products. If you were to use a THC vape, the cannabinoid would get into your bloodstream almost instantly. You would begin feeling its effects right away. On the other hand, it would take much longer – up to two hours – for the THC in a gummy to get into your bloodstream. The gummy needs to make it through your digestive tract before you start feeling its effects.
2. Body Weight and Metabolism
Two additional factors are patient body weight and metabolism. The two combined impact how the patient reacts to THC. Since THC is highly lipophilic, it is readily absorbed by fat tissue. This means that medical cannabis patients with a higher body fat percentage will feel the effects faster. In terms of metabolism, it occurs primarily in the liver. Under certain circumstances, a person’s liver can contribute to greater THC exposure.
3. Product Potency
Yet another thing to consider is product potency. Medical cannabis products offer varying levels of THC depending on brand and manufacturer. A higher potency product would lend itself to a more immediate impact. Likewise, the effects of a lower potency product might be delayed or not felt at all.
4. Tolerance
Last but not least is the principle of tolerance. Tolerance is a physical condition under which the body gets used to a certain amount of THC in the system. As tolerance increases, the effects one feels from medical cannabis are reduced.
The amount of time it takes for medical cannabis to kick in can vary considerably. As a patient, your best bet is to experiment with different things to see what works best for you. Your medical cannabis pharmacist will be a source of invaluable advice.
