Why Cannabis Affects Everyone Differently

Two people can consume the same amount of cannabis and have very different experiences. One may feel sleepy, while another feels anxious or notices changes in perception. Neither experience tells us exactly how someone else will respond.

Several factors influence the effects, including the amount of THC, previous cannabis use, individual biology, health conditions and other medicines or substances taken at the same time.

Tolerance is personal

Frequent use can build tolerance, meaning someone may notice less effect from an amount that strongly affects another person. A friend’s usual amount is therefore not a reliable guide to your own response. Tolerance also does not mean someone is safe to drive.

How cannabis enters the body matters

Inhaled cannabis takes effect quickly. Swallowed cannabis must pass through the digestive system and liver, so its effects arrive later and can last longer. Experience with smoking does not reliably predict how an edible will affect you.

More than a label

A product description cannot guarantee a particular feeling. Your own response may differ from someone else’s—and may vary between occasions.

Give delayed effects time

Edibles can take up to four hours to reach their full effects. Taking more because “nothing is happening” can lead to unexpectedly strong intoxication.

Avoid combining cannabis with alcohol. If you take medication or have a health condition, speak with a healthcare professional about possible risks and interactions. Never drive or operate machinery while impaired, and keep cannabis securely away from children and pets.

This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice.