Main differences between gummy bears and joints

As marijuana becomes more widely available, alcohol consumption is declining. Generation Z is joining the trend of California drinking, and all generations are taking a second look at cannabis. The American Medical Association and the College of Physicians have recognized that cannabis has medicinal benefits, and a significant portion of users use it for anxiety and to help them sleep. Microdosing has become a method to help people manage stress, focus, and more.

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But the way people consume has evolved, and so has the manner in which they consume. Traditionally, people smoke a joint, bong, or pipe. Homemade edibles have been popular, but not nearly as widely used as inhaling. With legal marijuana come reliable, flavorful products that have captured the public's attention—and wallet. And gummies and vapes are discreet, on-the-go consumption options with the added benefit of discretion. In data collected by BDSA, a leading analytics firm that covers cannabis, 49% of those who have used marijuana reported using gummies.

Although both edibles and flower contain THC, the high they produce isn't exactly the same. Here are the key differences between gummies and joints.

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THC

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of the psychological effects of marijuana. It is one of many compounds found in the resin secreted by the glands of the marijuana plant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), it works similarly to the cannabinoid chemicals naturally produced by the body. Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in specific areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time perception. THC binds to and activates these receptors, affecting a person's memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception, according to NIDA.

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dosage

With over 50% of the population having access to legal dispensaries, the difficult guesswork is over with homemade treats. Retail gummies typically contain 10mg. Microdoses are usually 2.5-5mg, so if you're new to vaping, you might want to consider half.

Smoking can vary depending on the strength of the flower and the amount you inhale. Pre-rolled joints bought from the dispensary usually give an idea of ​​the strength, so pay attention to how you feel before taking another hit.

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Timed coordination

Inhaled marijuana passes directly into the bloodstream via the lungs. It can take 1 to 15 minutes for the effects to kick in. The peak occurs about an hour before the effects wear off. The high can last for 6 hours after consumption.

Edible cannabis must be digested and metabolized through the stomach and then into the liver, so it can take up to an hour for the effects to kick in and two hours for the high to peak. The high wears off over the next three hours and can last for 8-12 hours after consumption.

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Effects

Timing, dosage and ingestion can all lead to different highs, so the effect is different for each person. Edibles can sometimes produce a more intense, intoxicating high than smoking. But smoking can produce a longer-lasting high due to the constant “puff, puff, puff.”

By experimenting, you can find out which method is best for you.