Editor's note: This article has been reviewed and updated for accuracy in 2026. Edibles offer plenty of advantages over smoking weed. Consumers who are concerned about their lung health, who want to achieve consistent dosing, and who are looking for a more covert way to enjoy their cannabis might all choose edibles over smoking a joint. Plus, edibles offer a full-body high that takes longer to set in but has an impressive duration. Just like folks who like to smoke their weed might have some troubleshooting to do, though, consuming edibles can also be a little glitchy at times, especially the home-made varieties. Ask us how we know. Unlike pot smokers, who can count on the fact that all the goodness the cannabis plant is hiding within will hit their lungs — and then, their bloodstream — nearly right away, people who consume edibles have a gatekeeper to contend with: the digestive system. Before you can feel the benefits of the THC, CBD, and terpenes in your edibles, your body has to process all that stuff, first. Have you noticed that your edibles “work less well” if you have them for dessert? Are you not getting high if you enjoy edibles on an empty stomach? Here’s why. What Happens When You Eat Edibles? Each of the components of your dig