People who use marijuana, for whatever reason, have their own personal preference for the way they consume it. Some prefer the authenticity of flower while others prefer the convenience of a few drops of tincture under the tongue. Still others won’t say no to a yummy gummy. While finding the perfect way to consume cannabis is part of the journey, the way it’s metabolized can impact how effective it is in treating specific conditions.
Your metabolism encompasses all the processes within your cells that keep your body functioning like it should. Your metabolism constantly provides your body with energy for essential body functions like breathing and digestion. It’s not just a matter of how many calories you consume in a day. These processes help you breathe, move, heal, and more. Keeping these processes balanced is called homeostasis. It’s what keeps your body running smoothly.
The main metabolites in cannabis are cannabinoids (like THC and CBD), terpenoids, and flavonoids. These compounds are produced by the plant and have various effects on the body, such as the psychoactive effects of THC and the medicinal properties of CBD. In the body, the metabolism of cannabis produces further metabolites like 11-COOH-THC and 11-OH-THC.
After consumption, the body metabolizes these compounds. The primary metabolites of THC are 11-COOH-THC (found predominantly in feces) and 11-OH-THC (found predominantly in urine). These metabolites can be detected in the body for weeks after use, especially in urine tests, due to their slow elimination from fat tissue.
| Consumption Method | Onset of Effects | Peak Effects | Duration of Effects | Bioavailability | Metabolism Notes |
| Inhalation (Smoking/Vaping) | Seconds to minutes | 15–30 minutes | 2–3 hours (residual up to 6 hrs) | 10–35% | Rapid absorption directly into the bloodstream via the lungs, bypassing the liver initially. |
| Oral Ingestion (Edibles/Drinks) | 30–90 minutes | 2–4 hours | 4–12 hours (sometimes longer) | 4–12% | Undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver, converting THC to the more potent psychoactive metabolite 11-OH-THC, leading to delayed but prolonged effects. |
| Sublingual (Tinctures/Sprays) | 15–30 minutes | 1–2 hours | 2–4 hours | Up to 75% possible, more variable in practice | Absorbed through mucous membranes under the tongue, partially bypassing first-pass metabolism. |
| Topicals | 15–30 minutes (transdermal) | 1–2 hours (transdermal) | 2–4 hours (transdermal) | Minimal systemic absorption (unless transdermal) |
While consumption may be the point of focus for many patients, the way medical marijuana is metabolized in the body is also of great importance. It can impact the length of time before the cannabinoids take effect, and some relief from symptoms may be felt by the patient. For example, while edibles can take longer to take effect, the length of the effects can last much longer than other delivery methods. You can view the results here of our patient polls for which delivery methods they find work best for certain conditions.
Talk to your medical marijuana doctor or Healing Specialist at The Healing Clinics to find out more about which delivery method is best for you. We are here to guide you through your healing journey with medical marijuana. Call (318) 227-4088 or click the button below to get started now.
