Glossary edibles
Bioavailability
The proportion of a substance that enters the bloodstream and produces an active effect. Different consumption methods produce dramatically different bioavailability for cannabinoids. Inhaled cannabis has relatively high bioavailability (around 30–40%) because cannabinoids enter the bloodstream directly through the lungs. Edibles have lower bioavailability (roughly 6–20%) due to first-pass metabolism in the liver — but the liver also converts THC to 11-hydroxy-THC, which is more potent, partially compensating for the lower absorption rate. Sublingual tinctures fall between the two.