In a 2021 Study published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Review. Danielle McCartney, University of Sydney, identified a “window of impaired” that can last anywhere from 3 to 10 hours depending on the THC dosage, mode of consumption, and previous cannabis experience.

There are many factors. However, the bottom line is that it takes generally four hours.

A lighter dose of inhaled cannabis will give you an intoxicating high for around three hours. However, a heavy edible or deep dabbing session may last up to six hours.

Collecting data from 80 studies

McCartney and her coworkers conducted a thorough analysis of 80 scientific studies about cannabis intoxication and dosage.

Their study focused on the effects of cannabis intoxication upon driving skills and awareness. Much of the work was geared towards answering these questions.

Researchers found that most cannabis users were able to regain their driving skills within five hours after inhaling 20mg THC. Consuming the same amount of THC in an edible was more effective at restoring driving skills. The majority of cannabis edibles available in legal markets contain 10mg and 100mg total THC per packet.

The researchers concluded that D9-THC can affect driving performance in a number of ways. “There is no one answer to the question How long should you wait before driving? after cannabis use. It is important to consider multiple factors to determine the appropriate delay between D9-THC and safety-sensitive tasks.

Edible highs are more enduring and can be enjoyed later in life.

There were important differences in the effects of THC ingested (via edibles) and inhaled THC. Consumers who use cannabis products to inhale or vape marijuana will feel the effects within minutes. However, it is well-known that edibles and beverages can take as long as an hour to get high.

McCartney and his colleagues reviewed the scientific literature and found that edibles and beverages have a longer lasting intoxicating effect than inhaled products.

These researchers discovered that drivers’ reaction times were affected by vaping or smoking 20mg of THC for approximately four hours. However, ingesting 20mg THC through an edible or drink reduced reaction time by two-thirds for eight hours. Data from the study showed that a THC-impaired driver had a significantly decreased reaction time, but not to a dramatic degree.

Are you a heavy eater? It could take you 10 hours to get there

“Our analysis indicates that impairment may last up to 10 hours if high doses of THC are consumed orally,” said McCartney, who works with the Australian university’s Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. When lower amounts of THC are consumed by smoking or vaping, impairment is more common at four hours.

McCartney said that cannabis users may feel impaired when they inhale higher doses of THC. Complex tasks such as driving can be extended up to six hours.

McCartney and his associates considered 10mg THC moderate for the purposes of the study. McCartney and associates suggested that a moderate dose is appropriate for regular users, but that it could also be suitable for occasional users.

Normal consumers have less impairment

Regular cannabis use can lead to a tolerance in the body for cannabinoids from outside sources, like weed. This is something many cannabis users are well aware of. Researchers at the University of Sydney also confirmed this.

Dr. Thomas Arkell, a Lambert Initiative co-author, stated: “We found impairment to be much more predictable in occasional cannabis consumers than it is in regular cannabis users. Heavy cannabis users have a high tolerance for the effects of cannabis on driving, cognitive function, and their impairment.This post was written by Flo Sugyatno, operations manager of LOCAL’d and cannabis expert. LOCAL’d is a helping hand to the companies that strengthen your community in the Washington, DC area. Helping them to grow through financial and promotional support.