Can You Eat Raw Cannabis?

Have you ever wondered how you can use cannabis without smoking it? For some people, smoking weed is not an option due to lung complications or other problems. 

However, eating raw cannabis can be just as beneficial for your health as smoking it. It may even offer some new health benefits you weren’t aware of. 

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about eating raw cannabis and how to incorporate it in your favorite fresh recipes. 

Is Raw Weed Edible?

The short answer is - Yes! You can absolutely eat raw cannabis - doing so contains many health benefits that smoking cannot provide. However, keep in mind that eating raw weed will not get you high because it has not been decarboxylated.

In other words, the non-psychoactive compound THCA has not been heated, which turns it into the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. Although you can’t get high from eating raw weed, there are still plenty of reasons to consume it.

For example, eating raw weed is a good way to enjoy the health anti-inflammatory benefits of cannabis without smoking it. If you have lung or breathing complications, or you’re an athlete and don’t want to smoke weed, then eating it might be a better option for you.

You can also consume raw weed at work or home to reduce stress and anxiety without smoking in front of your boss, co-workers, family members, or children. 

Health Benefits of Raw Cannabis

Eating raw weed is a great way to take advantage of the high antioxidant profile that herbs have in their natural form. Most antioxidant compounds (such as terpenes) are heat sensitive - meaning that they are killed off during the heating process, such as when you heat or smoke weed. 

However, enjoying weed in its raw form means that you can enjoy the health benefits of these powerful anti-inflammatory compounds in their most potent form. It’s an excellent way to manage your inflammation without taking prescription drugs. 

Raw weed is high in the phytochemicals limonene and myrcene, which have been shown to help promote relaxation and well-being. Raw cannabis also contains the anti-inflammatory agents omega 3 fatty acids, kaempferol, quercetin, and anthocyanins. 

These compounds have been shown to boost the body’s antioxidant defense, fight free radicals, lower inflammation, reduce blood pressure, and even fight against cancer. 

Additionally, raw cannabis contains three cannabinoids that have a carboxylic acid attached:

• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic (THCA-A) 
• Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) 
• Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) 

These compounds - especially THCA - have therapeutic effects that can help reduce inflammation, fight disease, promote brain, heart, and immune health, and alleviate anxiety. 

According to one study, THCA has a protective effect on brain cells, which may help fight against neurodegenerative conditions and neuroinflammatory diseases, including dementia. 

Studies show that unheated weed and THCA may also help boost the immune system. This can help you stay healthy during the pandemic or even manage the symptoms of autoimmunity. 

Additionally, eating raw weed may be able to help alleviate nausea and vomiting. Research shows that THCA - the compound found in raw unheated cannabis - effectively reduces nausea and vomiting, and it may even do so better than THC - the compound in heated weed. 

Other research shows that CBDA also has anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties. In fact, one study found that CBDA enhanced the effectiveness of the anti-nausea drug Ondansetron. This means that if you are using cannabis for its anti-nausea effects, you may want to try raw weed. 

How To Eat Raw Cannabis 

So, now that you know the health benefits of eating raw weed, how are you supposed to eat it? First, you need to start with flower buds and leaves that are fresh. If you let them sit out for too long, it will reduce the amount of cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant.

Experts recommend that you do not cook, steam, smoke, vape or dry your raw weed as this will reduce the antioxidant content. Chewing fresh marijuana flowers and leaves is not exactly tasty, but putting them in a smoothie can be. 

Here's how to use raw cannabis in juice or smoothie form:

1. Add fresh, raw marijuana buds or leaves to a green smoothie made with kale, avocado, roasted beets, and fresh squeezed lemon juice
2. Add raw cannabis leaves into your juicer along with celery and drink first thing in the morning to reduce inflammation and improve digestion
3. Make sure your raw cannabis is fresh and organic, meaning that it’s free from chemicals and other additives that are designed to keep the weed “fresh”

It’s important to note that eating raw cannabis comes with some risks, such as salmonella and E.coli bacteria. This is why it’s important to buy weed from a trusted dispensary only that uses organic weed sourced from producers who don’t use manure or chemicals, which may end up in your food. 

You may also want to consider trying various strains of fresh, raw organic weed. Remember that eating the whole plant (minus the stalk) will give you the greatest amount of therapeutic compounds. Different strains of weed offer different beneficial compounds, just like the nutritional profile in spinach is different from kale. 

Different strains of weed may also vary in taste. We recommend trying out different weed smoothies made with various fresh green fruits and vegetables along with new and flavorful raw cannabis strains until you find a flavor combination you enjoy the most!

You can shop for raw, cannabis flower buds here!