Space cake in the Netherlands

How the cannabis gets into the cake

Cannabinoids such as THC do not dissolve in water, but they do dissolve in fat. That is why cannabis is first infused into butter or oil before baking.

Something else happens during heating. Fresh cannabis mainly contains THCA, which has no psychoactive effect of its own. Heat converts THCA into THC, a process called decarboxylation.

Why the effect starts later

When inhaled, the compounds enter the bloodstream through the lungs within minutes. When eaten, they travel through the stomach and intestines to the liver first. There, THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, which reaches the brain more easily and acts more strongly.

The effect typically begins after 30 minutes to two hours, sometimes longer. How quickly depends partly on whether you have eaten recently and on your own metabolism.

How long it lasts

A typical experience lasts four to eight hours. Drowsiness and reduced concentration can continue for several hours afterwards, sometimes into the next day. Take that into account when planning work, appointments or travel.

Why dosing is difficult

Cannabis is rarely distributed perfectly evenly through a batch of dough, so two pieces from the same cake can differ. Sensitivity also varies from person to person and from day to day.

This leads to the single most important piece of advice: do not take more because nothing is happening yet. Most reports of people feeling unwell come from taking a second portion within the first hour, after which both portions take effect at once.