Scientists uncover new risks of marijuana edibles and doctors want people to pay attention

The attitude toward marijuana use has been rapidly changing in recent years as more and more states have legalized the narcotic. President Donald Trump has even asked that the federal scheduling be changed from Schedule I, which includes heroin and LSD, to Schedule III, which are controlled substances with moderate dependence risk and accepted medical use.

Medical marijuana use is now legal in forty states and the District of Columbia, and in 24 of those states and D.C. you can also use pot recreationally. This has led to more people wanting to experience the high that the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, gives users.

Health-conscious people who want to try marijuana are opting for THC-laced edibles, which come in many forms from brownies to gummies and even beverages. This method avoids the toxins from smoking weed and potential lung damage, that can result from vaping as well. However, first timers should beware of the side effects.

Careful with high from marijuana edibles

Unlike smoking or vaping, the high from edibles can be considerably different. This is because instead of the THC entering your bloodstream directly from the lungs, it is first processed in your disgestive system and then metabolized in your liver.

This means that it takes longer for you to feel the high, between 30 minutes and two hours compared to within seconds to a few minutes when smoked or vaped. The high also peaks later within 4 hours compared to 30 minutes, respectively.

This means that some first timers will consume too high a dosage of THC and then when it kicks in find themselves in the emergency room with their heart racing, having an anxiety attack or hallucinations. UCHealth shared three extreme cases of people ingesting too much THC that resulted in fatalities in Colorado.

Additionally, the high from edibles lasts much longer than from smoking or vaping. Depending on your body and other factors it could be 12 hours before you come down from edibles whereas when smoked or vaped the effects wear off after a few hours.

How much THC should you consume

Oregon is the latest state to consider putting a cap on how much THC can be allowed in marijuana edibles. If the proposal passes, that state would join California, Colorado and New York in limiting THC to 10mg per serving.

If you are trying marijuana edibles for the first time, Dr. Andrew Monte of the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine told UCHealth that people should “start small [and] go slow.” He recommends consuming no more than 2.5mg to 5mg on your first try to see how your body responds. And never ever mix with consuming edibles with alcohol or other drugs.

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