How Long Do THC Gummies Last? 

I’ve been a cannabis consumer for decades and have eaten thousands of THC gummies over the years. As a dispensary manager for over five years, I’ve also helped a lot of people just like you purchase the best gummies you can find. 

THC gummies are one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis. Not only do they get you super high, but the effects last a lot longer than other consumption methods. 

But how long do these euphoric effects last? 

Here we’ll take a look at exactly how long the effects of THC gummies and other edibles last, as well as what to expect when you get high on gummies.

Key Takeaways: How Long Do THC Gummies Last?

• The high from THC gummies can last up to 4-12 hours.
• Marijuana gummies take effect in about 30 minutes to an hour or more.
• Hemp Delta 8 THC gummies are weaker than Delta 9 THC edibles.
• CBD can lower the psychoactive potency of THC edibles and THC products.
• CBD and other cannabinoids in THC edibles may supplement each other’s potential therapeutic effects.

How Long Do THC Gummies Last?

THC gummies last 3-4 hours on average. 

Depending on your body chemistry, the high you experience can last for 12 hours. Lingering effects can last up to a full 24 hours. Of all THC products, edibles produce the most intense and long-lasting buzz.

Before eating THC edibles, you should prepare for a long lasting high with residual effects that might be felt the next day.

A few things depend upon the duration of the high such as edible dosage, individual tolerance and metabolism. For this reason, predicting the exact length of effects is next to impossible.

From my personal experience, Delta 9 THC gummies can last as few as 2 hours and as long as 8 hours, which I’ve found depends on the brand and dosage. Some users say that eating food can shorten the high, but I personally haven’t found this to be the case.

To be better prepared, always assume the edible high is going to last longer than other methods of consumption. We always recommend starting with the lowest dosage possible (2-5 mg) and working your way up.

How Long Do THC Gummies Take To Kick In?

THC gummies take anywhere from 30 minutes up to two hours to kick in. You can expect effects to peak after about four hours.

This is because THC edibles need to be processed by the digestive system and liver in a process known as first-pass metabolism.

Once the THC hits the liver, it is converted into 11-OH-THC. This special form of THC is roughly four times more psychoactive than regular THC.

From there, the edible reaches your bloodstream and brain. Once it makes its way to the brain we start to feel “high” because the THC interacts with our endocannabinoid system.

This process takes some time and varies upon individual body chemistry, meaning the psychoactive effects aren’t instant. It can also take up to four hours or longer to feel the full effects.

For this reason, we recommend consuming a small dosage (2.5-5 mg) and waiting at least 4-5 hours before consuming more gummies. Eating too many THC gummies can easily lead to over-intoxication, which can cause some serious paranoia and anxiety.

However, these side effects are temporary and self-limited according to the amount ingested.

I also find if you consume THC gummies after you eat, the effects take longer to kick in. If you want to feel the intoxicating effects faster, try eating edibles on an empty stomach.

THC Gummies Benefits

People have been using medical cannabis for centuries, and research shows THC and other cannabinoids have several potential therapeutic benefits. Some of these include:  

• Reductions in pain and inflammation
• Reduced muscle spasms
• Decreased nausea and vomiting
• Stress relief
• Support for seizure relief
• Anxiolytic properties
• Antidepressant effects
• Neuroprotection 

While more research is warranted, these are some of the most common benefits that have been discovered to date. These benefits are also some of the most common reasons people consume cannabis for therapeutic purposes.

How Long Do THC Gummies Stay In Your System?

THC gummies cause inactive THC metabolites to stay in your system for a few weeks. The total length is contingent on a few factors such as total amount ingested and the frequency of consumption.

Research on how long THC gummies stay in your system is limited. So we do not have a conclusive answer.

However, we can look at studies on how THC-COOH (delta-8 or delta-9 carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol) is metabolized.

An extensive 2014 study explored specific metabolites of THC, such as THC-COOH which is the main target measured in routine drug testing.

Researchers discovered that THC-COOH levels depended on the method of consumption and where it was tested.

The study found that THC-COOH was present in the blood for up to 20 hours, detectable in saliva for 2 days and in urine for up to 4 days after a single dose. With repeated use, these time frames could go into weeks to a month, or more. THC-COOH remained detectable in hair strains for 3 months.

If you plan to take a drug test soon, we recommend abstaining from delta 9 THC, delta-8, and even hemp-based edibles altogether.

The longer you wait after consuming THC gummies, the better. Detectable levels as small as 50 ng/mL of THC metabolite (THC-COOH) will flag positive on a routine drug test.

Does CBD Lower THC Gummy Potency?

Yes, CBD does lower the psychoactive potency of THC gummies. However, when different cannabinoids are taken together they can work synergistically. This is known as the entourage effect.

Some studies have shown that different THC/CBD cannabinoid ratios make a big difference in the effects you feel. A 2019 study found that CBD reduced some of the effects of THC such as anxiety and psychosis. 

In that same review study, researchers found that low doses of CBD (4 mg) actually enhanced the intoxicating effects of THC. At higher doses (400 mg), CBD reduced the psychoactiveeffects of THC. This is what is known as having a “biphasic” dosing effect, something that cannabinoids are known for.

Are Delta 8 Gummies Less Potent Than Regular THC?

Yes, Delta 8 gummies are less potent than regular THC edibles. Delta 8 gummies will also result in a positive test since they end up producing the same metabolite.

Delta 9 THC edibles typically have a high potency and will produce a more intense high. 

Although research is limited, it’s suggested that Delta 9 is about twice as potent as Delta 8. Anecdotal reports of cannabis users commonly describe the effects Delta 8 THC to be much less intense than Delta 9 THC.