Weed is a name used interchangeably for cannabis. It is a form of dried plant, leaves, flower, stem and so on. Weed is as much a vegetable as many of the plants we throw in our food every day. In fact, weed qualifies as a superfood in its own right! Packed with beneficial phytochemicals rarely found elsewhere, raw cannabis flowers and leaves add a healthy punch to salads, smoothies, and juices. Also, the recent discoveries of the health benefits of weed are well known. It’s a popular substance millions of people use either for pleasure or to treat chronic health conditions. Weed can be used in a number of ways, but some of the most popular methods include smoking, vaping, and eating (sometimes known as “edibles”).
However, some people wonder whether it’s safe to eat weed and whether ingesting it has the same effects as smoking or vaping. This article is going to focus on the pros and cons of eating weed.
Can you eat Weed?
The simple answer is YES. Though you can eat raw weed, it won’t have the same effect as consuming cannabis-based products, as it has to go through a process known as decarboxylation to become activated.
Raw weed contains tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) and cannabidiol acid (CBDA). These compounds that must be exposed to heat, such as in smoking or baking, to turn into the active forms, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).
Therefore, eating raw weed will not result in the same effects as consuming weed that has been heated, as in edible products like candies, tinctures, and baked goods.
Though you can’t get high from eating raw weed, some cannabis proponents believe that eating it may offer unique health benefits due to the wide array of plant compounds it contains.
Yet, research in this area is lacking, so the potential therapeutic benefit of raw weed is still unclear.
Benefits of eating weed.
Most weed users are familiar with the effects of smoking, vaping and consuming edibles, but have you ever wondered if eating raw weed leaves is ok? From a nutritional perspective, cannabis packs a plethora of healthy molecules, including:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Eating raw weed enables users to stimulate their endocannabinoid system—a regulatory network that keeps the body in balance—without getting high or having to inhale anything in the process. Raw weed could very well become a popular functional food of the future.
Cannabinoid Acids
Raw weed contains very different molecules to those inhaled after combustion or vaporization. THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids don’t actually exist in raw weed. Instead, they’re packed with their chemical precursors—cannabinoid acids. Cannabinoid acids feature a carboxyl group that is lost after being exposed to heat, a process known as decarboxylation. For example, non-psychoactive THCA converts to psychoactive THC, and CBDA converts to CBD.
Cannabis scientists have discovered that these chemicals possess their own unique benefits compared to their post-decarboxylation counterparts. Check out the below lists of properties to learn what the main cannabinoid acids have to offer.
- Non-psychoactive
- Binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system
- May relax an upset stomach
- Stimulates the production of endocannabinoids
- Has soothing properties
- Aids the functions of the nervous system
CBDA
- Non-psychoactive
- Boosts endocannabinoid production
- May elevate the mood, more so than CBD
Terpenes
These aromatic molecules underpin the signature scent of cannabis. Not only are they responsible for the delicious flavor of certain strains, but they also modulate the weed high through the entourage effect. Different terpenes interface with different cannabinoids to augment their effects.
Terpenes also produce effects entirely on their own. For example, limonene and myrcene induce a relaxing response that can enhance the feeling of well-being.
Because terpenes are volatile and degrade at high temperatures, you won’t enjoy nearly as many when you smoke. However, raw weed flowers are chock-full of these fascinating molecules. Eating weed raw keeps terpenes in their natural state. Researchers are still figuring out exactly how terpenes survive digestion, but we know at least some of these molecules make it through into the blood.
Side effects of eating weed.
Though eating weed may benefit many conditions, some potential negative effects may occur.
The main issue with eating weed is that it can be very difficult to determine an appropriate dosage. Concentrations of THC vary widely depending on different factors. Such as where the product was made and the quality of the weed used.
When you smoke weed, THC reaches the brain and takes effect within a few minutes. The effects peak at around 20–30 minutes after smoking and begin to wear off within 2–3 hours.
In contrast, the psychoactive effects of eating weed usually take 30–90 minutes to kick in. The effects last much longer and typically peak at about 2–4 hours after ingestion. This depends on how much you digest, as well as your body weight, metabolism, gender, and other factors.
The combination of the highly variable THC concentration and the long latency period of eating weed makes them very easy to unintentionally overconsume. This can lead to unwanted symptoms, such as paranoia and impaired motor ability.
Hence the adage “start low and go slow” when eating weed. Especially for new users, which means start with a low dose and wait several hours before taking any more.
Additionally, though rare, there have been instances of cannabis-induced psychosis, a temporary condition usually related to overconsumption of edible cannabis products that results in symptoms like paranoid delusions, extreme sedation, hallucinations, and confusion.
Other side effects related to eating weed include dry mouth, sleepiness, and changes in visual perception.
Eating weed can also interact with alcohol and certain medications, including blood thinners and antidepressants. Therefore, you should avoid eating weed with these products.
Another concern is that edible weed products often resemble regular candies, cookies, and other baked goods, posing a risk for children, pets, and other adults.
In fact, between 2005 and 2011, weed-related calls to U.S. poison control centers increased by 30 percent per year in states that decriminalized weed. Many of these calls were related to accidental ingestion of edible weed products.
