Cannabis Made Clear
Consuming Cannabis: Oral Absorption
Cannabis can be consumed in many ways, each with its own pros and cons. Discover how consuming cannabis orally affects the way it works in your body.
Last updated August 19, 2025 | Published on June 20, 2022
Not to be confused with ingesting edibles, consuming cannabis orally means absorbing the plant’s cannabinoids through the mucous membranes in your mouth. Oral consumption influences the way your body interacts with cannabis, so read on to learn how much you should consume, the timing of effects and ways to reduce the risks.
Download Accessible PDF
Methods of oral absorption
Oral absorption of cannabis involves taking cannabis by mouth, such as by holding oil under your tongue or sucking on a dissolvable tablet. This is different from ingesting cannabis by consuming an infused baked good or beverage, for example, or by swallowing a capsule.
When cannabis is absorbed orally, the cannabinoids travel through the mucosal layer under your tongue (called sublingual absorption) or in your cheek (buccal absorption) and into your bloodstream.
Buccal and sublingual cannabis products that can be consumed by oral absorption include:
- sublingual strips
- THC pouches
- oral cannabis sprays
- bottled cannabis oils
- dissolvable tablets
Dosage for cannabis consumed orally
When considering how much to take, it’s always best to start low and go slow. Begin with a low dose, such as about 0.2 mL of oil or 2.5 mg THC, and wait 30 minutes to two hours to determine the effects before consuming more.
Consider recording your reactions and monitoring them to fully understand how much cannabis to use to achieve the desired effect
Timing of effects
When consuming cannabis orally, the effects can be felt slowly and irregularly — within 30 minutes or up to two hours. Effects generally peak after about two hours and can last up to 24 hours.
When shopping for cannabis products for oral absorption, keep an eye out for products with phrases like “fast-acting” or “quick-onset.” These products are sometimes formulated through nanoemulsification to produce effects sooner than in standard edibles — potentially within 10 minutes. Keep in mind that different products will affect everyone differently, and these are only guidelines.
In a nanoemulsion, cannabinoids are broken down into microscopic molecules and suspended in a fat, allowing them to travel through the body more quickly and in greater quantities — producing a faster onset of effects.
How to reduce the risk of consuming cannabis orally
Consuming cannabis orally is not without risks. Avoid combining cannabis with other substances, such as alcohol and tobacco. Doing so could lead to unwanted effects, and mixing alcohol and cannabis can compound the risk of impairment.
When the effects of cannabis take time to be felt — as in the case of cannabis that’s ingested or consumed orally — it is recommended to avoid driving for at least six hours, as residual effects such as drowsiness may be felt for up to 24 hours after consumption.
Back to Cannabis Made Clear Back to Responsible Use
This content has been assessed for accuracy by an unpaid scientific reviewer.
Learn more about our reviewers and resources.
