Blog - What's the Onset and Duration Using Different …

For medical cannabis, the choice of consumption method is crucial because it directly dictates the onset (how quickly you feel the effects) and duration (how long the effects last). 

This is primarily due to the way cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) are absorbed and metabolized by the body. 

Here is a breakdown of the typical onset, peak, and duration for the main consumption methods: 

 

1. Inhalation (Vaping and Smoking) 

Inhalation is the fastest way to get cannabinoids into your system because they are absorbed directly from the lungs into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and liver. 

Vaping / Smoking (Flower or Concentrate) 

Onset of Effects: (1–5 minutes) 

Peak Effect: 15–30 minutes after consumption 

Duration: 1–4 hours (effects typically begin to fade after 2–3 hours) 

Use Case: Ideal for immediate, acute relief of symptoms like sudden pain, nausea, or anxiety. 

Key takeaway: Fast action, short duration. Easy to titrate (adjust the dose gradually) because you feel the effects almost immediately. 

  

2. Oral Ingestion (Edibles, Capsules) 

When swallowed, cannabis must be digested and metabolized by the liver before the active compounds enter the bloodstream. The liver converts THC into a metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC, which is generally more potent and has a longer half-life, leading to a much stronger and longer-lasting effect. 

Edibles / Capsules / Oils (Swallowed) 

Onset of Effects: 30–90 minutes (can take up to 2 hours) 

Peak Effect: 2–4 hours after consumption 

Duration: 4–8 hours (sometimes up to 12 hours) 

Use Case: Excellent for long-lasting, sustained relief of chronic symptoms like nighttime pain, insomnia, or spasticity. 

Key takeaway: Slow onset, long duration, and often more intense effects. It is vital to "Start Low and Go Slow" with edibles due to the delayed onset, as taking a second dose too early can lead to overconsumption. 

  

3. Sublingual (Tinctures, Sublingual Drops) 

Sublingual consumption involves placing drops of oil or a tincture under the tongue, where some cannabinoids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. If the oil is swallowed, the remaining cannabinoids follow the oral/ingestion route. 

Tinctures / Oils (Held under the tongue) 

Onset of Effects: 15–30 minutes 

Peak Effect: 35–50 minutes 

Duration: 2–6 hours 

Use Case: Offers a middle ground between the speed of inhalation and the duration of edibles. Good for predictable, moderate-duration relief. 

  

4. Topical (Creams, Lotions, Balms) 

Topicals: (Creams, Balms) 

Onset of Effects: 15–60 minutes (for localized relief)  

Systemic Effect: None (cannabinoids typically do not enter the bloodstream) 

Duration: Localized relief for several hours 

Use Case: Only for localized pain or inflammation; there is no psychoactive "high." 

 

Understanding these timelines is the most important part of dosing medical cannabis to ensure you get the relief you need without an overwhelming or unexpectedly long experience.