22. 12. 2025

• Raw cannabis consumption is rarely discussed.
• Cannabis in this form contains enormous amounts of vitamins and oils that are incredibly beneficial for our body.
• Read not only about which vitamins raw cannabis actually contains, but also about how these vitamins affect our body and why it's so advantageous to provide them.

Raw Diet: A Diet with Cannabis?

For cannabis to have an intoxicating effect and cause altered states of consciousness that we know and love, THC needs to be activated through decarboxylation. (Before THC is activated, it's practically THCA, which is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.) Decarboxylation can occur in normal situations, but not in such quantities that would create an intoxicating state. You would need to eat tons of cannabis to start feeling anything. But that doesn't mean eating "raw" cannabis is a waste of time.

"So can you eat raw cannabis? Some people believe it's one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. But be careful, it doesn't have intoxicating effects."

Cannabinoids won't intoxicate you in their raw form, but the body can absorb and properly utilize them. That's why cannabis juices and smoothies (containing leaves and sometimes even flowers) are becoming very popular among healthy lifestyle pioneers.

What do we mean by "raw" cannabis?

We mean freshly harvested plants and flowers of cannabis that haven't been dried or otherwise preserved. It's also possible to consume dried cannabis. During drying, minor decarboxylation occurs, so there's a higher probability of feeling intoxicated. (If you only want to achieve an intoxicating state through consumption, it's much more effective to first decarboxylate. And no, it's not that difficult.)

Since raw cannabis is not psychoactive and therefore not entirely considered a recreational drug, it is consumed primarily for its health benefits. Cannabinoid experts, such as Dr. William Courtney, believe that raw cannabis juice should be part of every diet. They also believe cannabis should be considered more of a vegetable than a medicine or drug.

When eating raw cannabis, your body might have trouble digesting it, just like many other green leafy plants. That's why sometimes people experience stomach pain after consuming raw cannabis. If you know your stomach is sensitive to such things, it's good to be aware of this fact.

Vegan Diet or Cannabis as a Superfood

Cannabis comprises over 400 different compounds, so it's no surprise that it contains large amounts of vitamins, essential oils and cannabinoids (some in their acidic form, such as THCA, CBDA, etc.). And these acids are very important for proper cell function.

During heating or smoking, decarboxylation occurs, converting these acids into their decarboxylated form. Active THC and CBD have many advantages, but also one significant disadvantage. This involves substantial consciousness and body functionality alteration when large amounts of THC are administered.

When administering raw cannabis containing THCA, no such alteration occurs, so dosage is not limited, and you can comfortably enjoy larger amounts of cannabis products.

"If you heat cannabis, your dose is approximately 10mg," Courtney explains. "But if you don't heat it and consume it raw, the dose is around 1000-2000 mg." Such quantities can be processed by your body without problems and converted into nutrients it needs.

And if you want your body to absorb cannabinoids more easily, you can add a bit of fat to your food or smoothie!

Cannabis Fiber is Health-Beneficial

While acids in raw cannabis are very healthy, they are certainly not the only reason to consume it.

When you make a smoothie from raw cannabis, you gain another advantage – fiber. Like other green leafy plants, cannabis contains large amounts of fiber, which is very important for a healthy diet.

Fiber in cannabis has a beneficial effect on proper digestion and intestinal function and helps maintain healthy microflora in the digestive tract.

Raw Cannabis: Source of Vitamins and Antioxidants

All green leafy plants contain large amounts of vitamins and antioxidants and cannabis is no exception. We're talking about basic nutritional elements like folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin C, or vitamin K.

Raw cannabis also contains many healthy antioxidants, including cannabinoids themselves. It was discovered that CBD and THC have antioxidant properties, meaning they help protect the body from stress consequences. Antioxidants also help fight aging signs.

Cannabis leaves and flowers with purple, blue, or dark red colors contain large amounts of beneficial anthocyanins, which fall under flavonoids. Anthocyanins give color to other plants like blueberries, red raspberries, plums, or eggplant. And like cannabinoids, anthocyanins also have antioxidant properties. They protect against hormonal disorders, regulate immune response, and can even help improve vision.

Another effective substance is fragrant terpenes, which are found in the highest quantities in raw cannabis. These aromatic molecules have sedative and calming effects and work synergistically with cannabinoid acids. Many patients suffering from painful conditions (such as fibromyalgia or arthritis) have confirmed that consuming cannabis juices and smoothies help them manage pain.

Source:
Herb. "Can You Eat Weed?" Herb, herb.co/learn/eat-raw-weed-marijuana/.

Author:
Steve Elliott