The wait is longer than most people expect
The usual mistake goes like this. Someone eats a piece, notices nothing after a while, decides it was weak and eats a second one. NIDA, part of the National Institutes of Health, says edibles typically take longer to show effects and that people may use more of a product as a result.
If you are standing at our counter wondering how long to give it, plan on the longer end. State regulators put the outer edge later than the CDC range:
| Regulator | What it says about timing |
|---|---|
| Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) | Delayed onset of two or more hours |
| Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission | Impairment effects may be delayed by two hours or more |
| Colorado | Up to four hours to take full effect |
How long swallowed THC stays with you
THC swallowed in food or drink has an onset of 30 to 90 minutes and lasts longer than inhaled THC, per Poison Control. The CDC's page on cannabis poisoning adds that edibles can cause intoxicating effects that last longer than expected.
In a controlled study of cannabis brownies, blood THC peaked 1.5 to 2 hours after consumption and typically returned to baseline within 8 hours.
What the Connecticut 5 mg serving rule means for the wait
In Connecticut's adult-use market for adults 21 and older, edible cannabis products are limited to 5 milligrams of THC per serving, and a multiple-serving package can hold no more than 100 milligrams of THC total. Start the clock from one serving, not from the package.
Colorado's edible guidance counts one serving as 10 mg. Colorado advises waiting at least 90 minutes and up to four hours before eating or drinking more. Give a Connecticut serving at least that long too.
On our edibles aisle, the product list shows live items from the menu of the store you have selected, with a switch to the other store.
Reading the label before you take the first piece
Cannabis labels must carry a DCP-issued symbol that the package contains THC and a symbol that it is not safe or legal for people under twenty-one. DCP says cannabis packaging must be child-safe, tamper-resistant and light-resistant.
Count servings from the label, not by eye. Our guide on how to read a Connecticut cannabis label covers the rest of the printed label.
Storing edibles while you wait and after
Put the package away before the first piece kicks in, not after. DCP's reminder to adults 21 and older who buy cannabis says cannabis at home should be locked and stored out of reach and out of sight of children and pets.
Edibles need that care because they can look like ordinary food. The FDA says edible products containing THC can be easily mistaken for foods such as breakfast cereal and cookies. For containers and longer-term storage, see our guide on how to store cannabis.
Questions shoppers ask about edible timing
Does a THC drink kick in faster than an edible?
Poison Control does not separate them: its 30 to 90 minute onset covers THC swallowed in food or drink alike. Our comparison of THC drinks and edibles covers the other differences.
What should I do if a child eats an edible?
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, the number the FDA gives for a child who has consumed THC edible products. The CDC says children who consume THC-containing products can become very sick.
Browse edibles on the live menu
Start on the Derby live menu or the Hartford live menu to see what each store carries, and check the serving count on the package once it is in your hands.
For directions, our Derby store page and Hartford store page have the details. We are open 7 days a week in Derby and Hartford, and payment at either store is cash or debit card. If you have a question before you visit, call us at 860-420-BUDS (2837).