Have you ever shared some edibles between friends only to discover that one of you is feeling nothing at all? Well, Al McDonald has. The Boston Globe presented Al McDonald’s story as an example of a situation where a group of friends shared “a strong batch of pot-infused cookies,” but he got absolutely nothing from them. McDonald even stated that he sat there like “aww man… everybody’s Hoverboard works except for mine.” McDonald represents the group of people who have a hard time getting high from edibles, which seems to have stumped scientists.
Being “ediblocked” should not be confused with simply taking longer to feel an edible’s effects. Depending on your digestive system and other factors, feeling the effects of your edible can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. You may feel effects quicker on an empty stomach and longer on a full stomach. Learn more about the effects of edibles here.
McDonald forms part of an “unknown portion of the population that appears to be functionally ‘immune’ to edibles, or at least has exceptionally high tolerances.” The Boston Globe describes this group of people as being “ediblocked” but also explains that when they smoke cannabis, they experience it as normal. Persons who are classified as ediblocked are said to be able to consume quantities of cannabis that would send the majority of people on an intense trip, while they experience nothing.
McDonald was reported to have engaged in a rather “reckless experiment” where he consumed hash tea and only began to feel something at around 700 milligrams of THC. To put that in perspective, 700 milligrams is 140 times the standard serving in Massachusetts of 5 milligrams. Additionally, it is recommended that consumers of cannabis begin with 1-2.5mg of THC as well as capping it at 10mg under normal circumstances in order to minimize adverse effects associated with high THC potency. Cannabis should contain around 10% or less THC to be considered effective, low-potency, and a lower risk of adverse effects such as increased anxiety.
The Boston Globe goes on to explain that researchers and medical professionals are aware of and acknowledge the phenomenon of being ediblocked but are not able to definitively explain it. They also explain that this can have “serious implications for dosing in medical marijuana treatment” as well as arousing questions on the validity of the blood tests which indicate cannabis-related impairment.
The director of the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery programs at the McLean Hospital, Dr. Staci Gruber, stated that “we’re only just now starting to understand the cannabinoid system” and that “it’s already clear that it’s not just about what and how much you’re using; it’s about how you’re wired.”
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Currently, there is limited research on people with ultra-high tolerances to marijuana edibles, however, Dr. Gruber and other researchers have a compelling hypothesis. The hypothesis is that those who are ediblocked have an unusual variation of a “key liver enzyme” which could “essentially be too efficient at processing ingested THC, turning the compound into its ‘active’ high-inducing metabolite and then its inactive waste product before the active form can enter the bloodstream or brain.”
However, there is another similar possibility which includes being “unusually inefficient at performing this process, with little THC getting metabolized in the first place.” Dr. Gurber explains that “it’s almost as if they’re skipping the intermediate step.” She also explains that the people with the uncommon CYP2C9 gene are breaking down the cannabinoid so fast that “it doesn’t have an opportunity to create the psychoactive effect.”
MedlinePlus explains that the CYP2C9 gene “provides instructions for making an enzyme that is found in a cell structure called the endoplasmic reticulum, which is involved in protein processing and transport.” They go on to explain that the CYP2C9 enzyme plays an important role in the metabolism and breaking down of drugs including warfarin and ibuprofen. The Boston Globe also explains that it also “encodes the enzyme that shepherds THC through its three-step metabolic transformation.” While Dr. Gruber adds that the individuals with the gene are “breaking it down so fast it doesn’t have an opportunity to create the psychoactive effect.”
A 2020 study found that the levels of THC metabolites found in the consumer’s blood varied drastically “depending on which variant of the enzyme they had.” The research from this study “casts doubt on biological marijuana tests widely used by researchers, doctors, police, and employers.” These tests do not account for the “apparently vast and hard-wired variations in metabolic rate between individuals.” Dr. Gruber explains that “it underscores the need to understand people’s genetic profile, and that there are a lot of variables people haven’t considered” such as whether one has the uncommon CYP2C9 enzyme.
Being ediblocked poses a problem for those who wish to medicate with cannabis by means of oral ingestion as opposed to inhalational methods. When one is unable to feel the effects of edibles or cannabis which is swallowed, they may experience ‘social FOMO’ or the inability to benefit from the pain-relieving and other medicinal properties which cannabis contains. Edibles make for a great alternative means of cannabis consumption when smoking is not an option.
When CYP2C9 acts on THC in the liver, the active intermediate is 11-OH-Δ9-THC – which is four times more psychoactive than THC. After this step, the 11-OH-Δ9-THC is inactivated by CYP2C-MALDO. Therefore, the secret of the ediblocked theory could lie in one or both of these steps. This ultimately means ediblocked people are unfortunately missing out on a stronger, more discrete, and cost-effective medical use altogether (1). The Boston Globe states that these ‘ediblocked’ individuals could benefit from the relief of cannabis through edibles if they took a “high enough dose, or if a supplement could be developed that slows their enzyme action”.
While there is not enough research to support the hypothesis at the moment, the study and the researchers make valid points. Hopefully, research can be conducted to support the suggestions and findings so that we can find solutions for those individuals as well as for improving the means by which we measure cannabis impairment.
1. Fugh-Berman, A., Wood, S., Kogan, M., Abrams, D., Mathre, M. L., Robie, A., Raveendran, J., Onumah, K., Mehta, R. S., White, S., Kasimu-Graham, J., & D’Antonio, P. (n.d.). An Introduction to the Biochemistry & Pharmacology of Medical Cannabis. Washington DC; Department of Health. https://doh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/Medical%20Cannabis%20An%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Biochemistry%20and%20Pharmacology.pdf
Literally thought I was the only one that could eat a dozen cookies and all I get is a extra pound added on.
That’s funny!
I literally just ate an entire pan of cannabis brownies with cannabis butter icing on top!!! (except for the sides)
I feel nothing atlll all. I can smoke some really good pot and all my friends are drooling on themselves and I’m over here just scrolling like any other day. Ive been smoking cigarettes and marijuana for about 15 years and Im trying to figure out how to give my lungs a break. Currently I smoke vapes and pot. I haven’t smoked a cigarette in 6 months. It would be awesome to eat half a cannabis brownie and feel great! Somebody help me out with some advice lmao 🥺
I have the same issue.
Im a heavy smoker of the weed, and I need to stop smoking it, I have a liver disease that doesn’t produce an enzyme for the lungs, so Im not supposed to smoke. Last week, I ate over 600mg of Pot Brownies from a CannaBakery in DC, I kinda felt weird for about 5 minutes, 2 hrs in, but nothing.
This week I got 7grams of Panama Punch in flower and 1 cup of Coconut Oil. I have a nice machine to convert to infused oils. I tried 2 tablesspoons in my coffee this morning. And Im 2 hrs in, and nothing!!!
Mabey the infusion machine is broken?
I think I may try some RSO?
Very frustrating.
Are u by chance alpha 1 antitripsin deficient? I was just diagnosed. I’ve consumed a lot of information but it’s so confusing. I have bad cirrhosis, which was found by accident. I was diagnosed Wednesday. Next month I meet with a transplant surgeon in NYC. This coming Wednesday I have to have a liver biopsy…and im petrified… I wish you the best!
I am one of those people. Sublingual however, does work for me. I advise anyone having issues with being ediblocked to try using tinctures or distillates sublingually. It works!
Do you know if it gets you high like an edible wood I have the same problem where I’ve taken massive amounts and even tensioners and nothing so if I put it under my tongue will it give me a psychedelic effect like when I eat it?
I tried them too and wondered why I felt nothing. But if I took two puffs of something of high potency I would be laid to the side ugh!!!
That’s a very insightful article and good to know. I am one of those people. I have eaten well over 500mg RSO and/or distillate only to be highly disappointed. 🥲
I also found that I don’t get high from edibles. Curious, though, whether others who experience this DO get the dry mouth and munchies without the high like I do?
Good question and definitely something worth investigating!
I have eaten edibles and I’ve gotten high. You you still get cotton mouth and snacky.
Yes actually I do 😆
exactly why I stopped buying edibles, I get 1000mg total (10 100mg pieces) and every time I feel nothing unless I take 600mg+ and at that point it’s just a waste.
Edibles and tinctures…neither works for me
Wow No Shit…I think that story might be right..I Never feel shit when I eat edibles..I have a couple times with friends everyone got fucked up but me..I have to smoke it to get high..
It helps me eat and not to hurt my self
I’ve tried 1000mg chocolate bar, nothing. Tried the 10:1 tincture under the tongue, nothing. 2 of them the next time, nothing but a really good poop. God dam you CYP2C9!!! I really want to experience an edible high
I hope they are able to produce a product to slow the action of the CYP2C9, so that you (and all the other ediblocked persons) can experience and benefit from the edibles.
Great article. I guess I am mostly ediblocked. When I tried edibles a few times it did nothing for me so I ate more and more, until I got a headache that lasted a couple of days. Only once or twice when I was in the right setting and just sitting and listening did I ever have the euphoric feeling and then it was more of a body high rather than Mindy high. IT was like hashish that I used to get from Morocco.
Just a thank you for all the info you share with us.
This is really a relief because for the longest time I couldn’t figure out why I was the only one that it had no effect on …everyone thought I was just lying about it… I live in Florida and I visited a friend in California and she gave me 400 mg edible.. I accidentally thought she meant to eat the whole thing and I felt nothing.. she had a small piece and went and laid down…
Yea I can get 1000+ mil from a despsence and nothing like a hang over the next day is all i get
A friend makes some great cakes and he and everyone else eats a 1 inch square and get messed up. Me I like he’s cakes so I eat the rest and nothing. Now I’m making my own oil and I’m up to 600 m and still nothing. What really sucks is that I have only found one bud that’s gotten me high in the last 5 years. I was hoping edibles would do it for me again. I miss that floating feeling like when I was in school.
I am right there with you Robert. I have been making my own high dose edibles, but nothing! It is also very hard for me to get high anymore smoking it. I think it is likely from smoking daily (many times a day) for the last 40 years. The one thing that has helped a little bit is switching up strains and when I do both (edibles and then smoke directly after) that does tend to help and get me high, but the high doesn’t last very long. And my husband wonders why I go through 2 oz a month!
I don’t know the difference between medical states and recreational states but I guess as long as it’s a real processional dispensary that’s very knowledgeable of the products and the best strain and delivery system for the reaction and reasons for your wanting it
Great article! And thank you for getting into the specifics of suspect gene. I too am ediblocked. Tinctures don’t work for me either. I have found I still get the munchies if I eat a lot of mgs. It’s a bummer. I think I could benefit from the effects of edibles.
I am a 63 year old female. I am unable to get high from edibles no matter how much I consume. My pals feel the reason I can’t is because of daily weed smoking since the age of 15. I was glad to read this article and other articles on this subject that state some studies show that it didn’t matter how often or amount you smoked for the edible blockage. Now I need to read about that enzyme!! Hoping for updates on this subject. 😎✌️
I am an Ediblock person, and I’d like to sigh up for studies somewhere about this if possible!!!! Please let me know where I might be able to be considered for research!!!
Everyone thinks I’m crazy or lying when I eat a high dose and NOTHING happens, except it does make my bowl movement smells like I just grew a pot plant in my toilet!🤦♀️🤪🤣🤣🤣
I’ve tried every edible you could think of and have never felt any effects from them. On August 1st THC Gummies became available in the medical cannabis program. There’s 10 gummies with 10mgs of THC per gummy for $35 2 bag limit per person. So I’m going to pick up a couple bags and give them a try, but I’m not expecting anything because of all the edible’s I’ve tried. I’ll post more when/if I experience any type of euphoric feelings
Hey, please check out this article about why some people might not be able to experience edibles.
I guess I’m ediblocked! My friends enjoy it but I’m left feeling nothing. I would gladly sign up for research and testing to get to a solution.
I have never been able to get any feeling from anything taken orally. Not just marijuana. It’s very frustrating. Wish I was a part of this experiment to try to help find a way to reverse this matter.
Thank god im not alone.
I have this. I discovered it when I went and ate (cross my heart) over 1500 mg of THC in forms of 2 incredible bars, some THC mints, a Keef cola, and a 1000 mg tincture and nothing!! I smoke a lot, have a high tolerance, and doc said to move to edibles, but nope. I have to vape or smoke, edibles do not work at all.
This explains why I consumed a bag of edibles with 510mg for the whole bag. I got nada. nothing. zip. I wanted my money back. The guy at the dispensary was like “sure” you didn’t get high. There is no way, he said. I ate every single one within 2.5 hours. Did not experience anything until I took a dab 4 hours later. I say edibles are the biggest waste of money.
Well, if any of you need a test subject, that will consume ungodly amounts of weed, edibles and sometimes even dabs and hardly feel a thing, here I am.
I am also ediblocked. I would love to volunteer for research. I am also a diabetic & have liver issues. Who do I get in touch with about it?
It’s totally true and it sucks being one of these people, sadly it’s not cost effective to take the amount of edibles I’d need to benefit (I’ve taken as much as 600-700mg and barely felt it) so I stick to smoking sti
Great article. I can get high on gummies but I have to eat a lot. I can get around 200 and not feel much some days. Other days Ill eat the same amount, feel nothing but wake up the next day feeling off/weird – WHY IS THAT?
I also don’t eat or smoke thc every day. It’s more of a weekend thing for me.
Reading this article and these comments makes me feel sooooo much better!!! I thought I was going crazy thinking I was some rare breed or something. I can eat or drink as much as I can but barely feel anything for maybe an hour, max. If they need testers, I absolutely volunteer as tribute. Being a disabled vet with PTSD, fibromyalgia, AND arthritis at my age.. my body is the same as my 65 year old mother. Hopefully the scientists can figure things out.
I cannot get high off edible but was wondering if I melt them will that work?
I know nothing about liver enzymes and genes, but I don’t get high from edibles either. I attributed it to a fast metabolism because whenever I’ve used Botox injections it only lasts about four weeks instead of 3-4 months. I was told it was bc of my metabolism and workout schedule. I don’t know it’s true for either, so I just smoke flower and skip the Botox. ✌️😜
I found this article cause I’m struggling with the same thing, and something I’d like to mention is I used to be able to be affected be edibles, but at some point in time during a period of which I quit weed, I have become unable to feel to them, but something I suspect is that, if the case is enzymatic, my body started producing the enzyme during the period of time I was getting very paranoid about my heart and quit smoking for a while (found out I have an irregular Sinus Arrhythmia) and since I started smoking again, edibles haven’t had any effect in any dose lower than 600mg, and even then are very minor and I’m still completely functional as if I was sober.
I’m ediblocked. I’d like to be in on research to unlock my metabolism rates. Please and thanks.
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