Can You Get High From Eating Weed? 

We’ve all been there. You can’t find your pipe. You’re out of papers. And you don’t want to smoke out of an apple or soda can. 

So can you get high from eating raw cannabis instead?

The simple answer is no. 

The more complex answer is still no. But consuming raw cannabis could contain benefits of its own.

In order to get high from eating raw cannabis, inactive compounds must be activated into psychoactive cannabinoids in a process known as decarboxylation. 

Here we’ll take a look at exactly what happens after eating raw cannabis, as well as some of the best ways to get high once raw weed has been decarbed.

Key Takeaways: Does Eating Weed Get You High?

• You can’t get high from eating raw marijuana.
• Cannabis must go through decarboxylation before it causes psychoactive effects.
• Inactive compounds found in consuming raw cannabis may contain potential therapeutic benefits, but eating raw cannabis won’t get you high.

You Need To Decarb Your Cannabis First 

If you want to get high, raw cannabis isn’t going to cut it. You have to first decarb your cannabis. Sure, you might get some therapeutic benefits from consuming weed in its raw form, but you won’t get high in the slightest. 

Decarbing cannabis is done in a process known as decarboxylation, a chemical reaction that converts the carboxyl acidic cannabinoids in the raw cannabis flower into active cannabinoids. 

Basically, decarbing your cannabis “activates” the THC so you can get high.

Decarboxylation occurs when the plant is exposed to heat, and all cannabinoids require a different decarb temperature. However, when you expose your cannabis to too much heat, terpenes can be lost. 

Ideally, you’ll want to find a sweet spot that rests somewhere in the middle.

You should decarb your raw cannabis at the lowest possible temperature. This method may take a little longer, but you’ll preserve those delicious terpenes and beneficial cannabinoids.

What Happens If You Eat Raw Weed? 

Eating buds from a raw cannabis plant is totally safe. Some even say that eating raw cannabis has some potential therapeutic benefits of its own. 

Consuming raw cannabis means you will be consuming a higher percentage of cannabinoid acids and terpenes that are otherwise lost when the raw form of weed is decarboxylated. 

For example, CBDa is another common cannabinoid acid found in cannabis. Research shows CBDa may contain potential benefits for inflammation, nausea, vomiting and more. When raw cannabis is decarbed, CBDa turns into CBD which is also renowned for its potential therapeutic benefits. 

While THCa cannabinoids won’t get you high, like CBDa, the cannabinoid acid is suggested to have some potential therapeutic benefits.Though science around the therapeutic benefits of THCa is in its early stages, research shows it may contain neuroprotective properties , support some metabolic conditions, reduce nausea and more.

In its natural state, the raw cannabis plant also contains nutritious substances such as omega fatty acids and essential minerals and vitamins like iron, calcium and vitamins B and C. Full of potential therapeutic benefits, many health conscious cannabis consumers juice the cannabis plant in its raw form as medicine.

While consuming raw cannabis is really healthy, may boost the immune system and often used in conjunction with medical marijuana, it still won’t get you high. 

It’s only when the acidic cannabinoids are decarbed that  THC acid is converted into THC that contains that coveted psychoactive impact.

How Best To Consume Cannabis 

Eating raw cannabis simply won’t do it if you want to get high. 

The only way to get high is by consuming cannabis that’s been decarbed. Once that’s taken care of, you’re in control of just how high you want to feel. 

Following are a few of the best ways to consume cannabis to ensure you feel its famous effects. 

Vape or Smoke 

Smoking cannabis is by far the most common way of consuming cannabis. Whether it’s in a joint, blunt or bowl, THCa is converted to THC when cannabis is burned with a flame. 

Vaping works very much the same way, but instead of a direct flame an atomizer heats up your dry herb or concentrate to produce a cannabis vapor rich in cannabinoids.

This vapor is said to be better for lung health than smoke. And vaping doesn’t heat the cannabis at quite as high a temperature, which better preserves those precious terpenes.

Vaping and smoking cannabis are both great ways to get high. And both methods work rapidly. Once smoke or vapor is inhaled into your lungs, the cannabinoids go to work immediately. This means you’ll start to feel the effects within minutes–or even seconds–of taking a hit. 

These methods are also fairly easy and very accessible. Besides rolling up a joint or packing a bowl, smoking cannabis takes very little preparation. Also, smoking and vaping supplies can be purchased cheaply at almost any head shop or smoke shop regardless if cannabis is legal. 

No method of consumption is perfect, however. Smoking and vaping do have some disadvantages that include:

• Potential Lung Damage: Smoking is not great for your body–especially your lungs. Though research about the long-term impact of vaping cannabis is still in its beginning stages, it also isn’t healthy for your respiration.
• Increased Terpene Loss: The combustion process is fast: cannabis burns within seconds when exposed to a flame. While the efficiency of this process is certainly a benefit, it’s potentially the worst method for preserving the terpenes and other substances.

Edibles 

Edibles are another popular method to consume cannabis. All those cannabis gummies people can’t seem to get enough of contain THC that’s been decarbed. Edible products are a fabulous method of consuming marijuana for people who don’t want to expose their lungs to smoke. 

They’re also really fun to make. Raw cannabis can be used to create oil and butter, all of which can be used to create fun cannabis cuisine. From cooking healthy foods with cannabis olive oil to making baked goods with marijuana butter, you can really get creative about what you cook your cannabis into.

Just like smoking, however, this method of consuming marijuana does have a few downfalls:

• They Can Be Unpredictable: Marijuana affects everyone differently, and it can be hard to predict exactly how an edible is going to hit you. The way THC is metabolized in the body when consumed in edibles is different than when cannabis is smoked, and can lead to some extremely powerful, sometimes undesirable effects. 
• It Takes Longer to Feel Effects: Unlike smoking, an edible can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to kick in. If you’re interested in getting high right away, THC edibles aren’t the best route to take. That said, the effects of eating a cannabis edible will typically last longer than other consumption methods.

Sublingual Oils 

The word sublingual simply means ”under the tongue.” Sublingual oils are cannabis oils that are consumed by placing a few drops under your tongue.

Due to some complex bodily science, sublingual oils can bypass first-pass metabolism. This basically means when cannabis oil is taken sublingually, cannabis cannabinoids are metabolized differently and will enter the bloodstream more quickly.

This benefit is ideal for those using medical marijuana oil: unwanted side effects of various medical conditions may subside faster. 

Sublingual oils are also a great way to get high if you prefer not to smoke, but don’t want to wait to get high like you would with a marijuana edible.

Taking cannabis sublingually is also far more discreet (and better for your health) than when it’s smoked. If you’re out and about and don’t want to smell like herb, sublingual oils are an awesome option.

Just like the previous two methods of consuming cannabis, sublingual oil has its cons:

• It Can Be Expensive: High quality cannabis oil can be extremely pricey. This high price point has a lot to do with how cannabis oil is produced, as well as the high concentration of cannabinoids in the oil.
• May Contain Unpleasant Flavor: Though certainly not the biggest deal, sublingual cannabis oil can have a strong, unpleasant flavor. If you don’t like the earthy taste of cannabis, however, you’ll find plenty of options for flavored oils.

Wrapping Up: Raw Cannabis Won’t Get You High 

When consuming raw cannabis, your immune system and vitamin C levels might get a boost, but you’re definitely not going to get high. 

Some go as far to say that consuming cannabis in its raw form is just as beneficial as taking your vitamins and minerals. As such, raw plant material is often used for medicine in the form of juice and smoothies. 

If you want to get high, however, consuming raw cannabis isn’t going to do it. Marijuana must first be decarbed before its THC will induce any psychoactive effects.