Edibles vs Vape: Pros & Cons (and Which is Right for You)

As the cannabis market grows and more states move to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis, people are exploring different ways to experience the plant. The hazards of smoking anything are well-documented, leading some to seek an alternative. Vaping and edibles have both emerged as popular options.

When choosing edibles vs vape, neither option is perfect, and each has its pros and cons. Both offer a unique way to explore cannabis and its effects. What works best for you will depend on your preferences, tolerance, and goals.

5 Important Differences Between Edibles and Vaping Cannabis

Edibles are food items infused with cannabinoids, while vaping involves inhaling vaporized cannabis extract or flower. These methods differ not just in delivery, but in onset, duration, and overall experience.

1. How They Work

Edibles are processed through the digestive system and metabolized in the liver before cannabinoids enter the bloodstream. This process takes longer but can also extend the duration of effects.

Vaping, on the other hand, delivers cannabinoids through the lungs, where they’re quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to a much faster onset, often within minutes.

2. The Effects

The effects of inhaling cannabis are typically felt quickly and may last around two to three hours, depending on the product and your individual response. Because inhaling either smoke or vapor delivers cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream through the lungs, the cannabinoids quickly bind to receptors in the brain, producing euphoria and other sensations.

With edibles, the onset is longer, often taking anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. This is due to the additional digestion and metabolization process. They’re metabolized in the liver first, and delta-9 THC is converted into 11-OH-THC, a cannabinoid metabolite with a more intoxicating effect.¹

Once active, the effects can last significantly longer. Some users report feeling it for six to eight hours or longer, depending on tolerance, product used, and more.²

3. Dosing & Re-dosing

Dosing edibles are pretty straightforward. Edibles purchased from a state-licensed dispensary will be equally dosed and labeled to know exactly how much cannabis you’re using at once. 

Edibles vary in potency, so it’s important to read labels carefully and start with a small amount, especially if you’re new to cannabis.¹ Many consumers opt to begin with the lowest available dose. Then, they wait a few hours before deciding whether to consume more. This slow approach, often called microdosing, might help minimize the chance of overwhelming effects. If you're unsure how to estimate your intake, tools like an edible calculator can offer a helpful starting point. And when in doubt, talk to a medical professional before adjusting your routine.

Vaping typically offers faster onset and more flexibility. Some users prefer it for its immediacy, as the effects tend to appear within minutes. But without labeled doses, it can be harder to track exactly how much you’ve used. Taking your time, noting how you feel, and being mindful of product potency can all help guide a more comfortable experience.

As you become more accustomed to cannabis, you can gradually increase the amount you start with. With time, you can also explore more options to make the most of your cannabis experience.

Overall, a number of factors will determine how much of an effect you get, including the product's strength, how much you inhale or ingest, and your body chemistry. 

4. Efficiency

Cannabis edibles can typically last longer than vaping flower or concentrate, and may offer a more sustained experience. However, because of the delayed onset, they can be easier to overconsume without realizing it.

Vaping provides faster relief and allows users to adjust their experience more immediately. However, potency and effects can vary depending on the type of vape used and the extract it contains. 

It’s also worth considering what kind of extract is used in your product. Distillates often lack the natural terpene and cannabinoid ratios found in full-spectrum options like live resin or rosin. For consumers looking for a closer-to-plant experience, full-spectrum edibles or vapes may offer more of the original profile, though these can also come at a higher cost.

Relying exclusively on edibles might get costly, especially if you need high milligram dosages. But vaping isn’t without its costs, either. Vaping comes with a higher upfront cost for the vape device itself (the battery). Vape cartridges can also be costly, depending on the concentration and extract type, but they can last for a while. If you opt for dry herb vaporizing, the cost can be lower because those vaporizers just use cannabis flower and can work with a relatively small amount.

5. Discreetness

Edibles are highly discreet. They look like everyday food and don’t emit odor. Even if someone sees you consume one, there’s no immediate effect that gives it away.

Vaping can also be discreet, depending on the device and extract used. Some vapes produce minimal vapor and scent, making them more suitable for private or low-profile use. Still, they are more noticeable than edibles.

Regardless of method, cannabis should never be used while driving. It’s both unsafe and illegal.

Are Edibles Safer Than Vaping? 

Vaping avoids combustion but still carries risks, especially when using vape cartridges that contain additives or come from unregulated sources. Inhalation of any heated substance has the potential to irritate the lungs and throat.

Edibles don’t involve inhalation, but they’re not risk-free. The delayed onset can lead to accidental overconsumption, and some edible ingredients (like sugar or allergens) may cause discomfort for sensitive individuals. Significant side effects are typically related to the cannabis itself and vary widely from person to person.

Overconsumption of edibles can lead to an unpleasant experience, sometimes called “greening out.” That’s why patience and moderation are essential, especially for newer users.

Final Thoughts 

Are edibles better than vaping? That depends on your needs, preferences, and tolerance.

Edibles offer long-lasting effects and near-total discretion but require patience and awareness to avoid overuse. Vaping is fast-acting and adjustable in real-time, with a wide variety of products to choose from.

Edibles generally last longer but take longer to take effect and have greater potential for overuse. Edibles also have the benefit of being nearly entirely discreet. Of course, there are also plenty of edible types beyond the standard gummies and brownies, making them a flexible option.Both methods have their place, and neither is one-size-fits-all. Consider your goals and context, and don’t hesitate to explore other consumption methods if neither of these feels quite right. Cannabis is highly personal, and there’s more than one path to finding what works for you.

References

1. Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Nov;84(11):2477-2482. doi: 10.1111/bcp.13710. Epub 2018 Aug 7. PMID: 30001569; PMCID: PMC6177698. ↩︎
2. MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2018;49(49):12-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2018.01.004 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.