THC edibles offer a tasty alternative to smoking weed. However, it’s not as simple as indulging in a delicious brownie or cookie and then kicking back as relaxation washes over you. Too little THC in the edible and you may not experience anything. Too much and you might not enjoy yourself. What we’re talking about is edible dosing and you must get it right. In this guide, we’ll explore what you need to know about edible dosage, so you always get the experience you want.
What Is Edible Dosage?
Every cannabis edible includes a percentage of THC and/or CBD. That percentage is the edible dosage – the amount of active ingredient. It’s usually designated in milligrams, but if you’re consuming a beverage rather than a food, it will often be listed in milliliters. One important thing to remember with edible dosing is that the percentage listed is per serving and many edibles contain multiple servings. Check the packaging to see what the serving size is.
Factors Affect Edible Dosage
Many factors play into the edible dosage you get. Let’s take a closer look at each.
- Type – The type or combination of active ingredients will play a role. For instance, edibles that include mostly THC may have a significant impact on your mental and physical state. Those that contain mostly CBD will help with things like anxiety and stress but won’t give you a feeling of being high.
- Percentage – The percentage of THC will also affect your edible dosage. Each serving will contain a specific amount of THC or CBD. You can consume one or more servings depending on your intended goals.
- Strain – Your dosage may also be affected by the strain in question. Sativa and indica have very different effects and there are many hybrids out there that blur the lines between the two.
- Personal Tolerance – Your level of personal tolerance or experience will also play a role in determining your edible dosage. If you have plenty of experience with marijuana, you’ll want a higher dosage than someone just starting out. Beginners should start with a low edible dosage and then gradually work up as they get familiar with things.
- Edible Type – Finally, you also need to consider the type of edible. This is more about how quickly the THC will enter your system and how long it might remain. Brownies, cookies, and other baked goods usually take longer to enter your system and can last much longer. Lozenges and hard candies designed to infuse THC through the skin of the inner cheek will enter your system faster and won’t last as long.
- Weight – Your body weight will play a role in how THC affects you. It’s a lot like alcohol in that heavier people will need a higher dosage than those with slimmer builds to achieve the same level of high.
Edible Dosage Based on Weight
All other things being equal, those who weigh more will need a higher edible dosage than those with less body weight. Our helpful chart can act as a guideline. However, remember that THC use is a very personalized process, and your results will be unique. If you’re new to THC edibles, take it slow and start with a low dose regardless of your body weight.
| Bodyweight | Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lbs. or under | 5 to 10 mg | 10 to 20 mg | 20 to 30 mg |
| 100 to 150 lbs. | 10 to 15 mg | 20 to 30 mg | 30 to 45 mg |
| 150 to 200 lbs. | 15 to 20 mg | 30 to 40 mg | 45 to 60 mg |
| 200+ lbs. | 20 to 25 mg | 40 to 45 mg | 60 to 100 mg |
Note that the higher the dosage, the longer and more intense the effect will be. However, personal experience and tolerance level have a significant impact on those factors, too, which makes it impossible to predict.
How Much THC Will Get You High?
In the last section, we talked about edible dosing based on weight. But how much THC will get you high? There’s no easy answer to that because of several factors. Again, weight plays a role here.
Generally, the more you weigh the more THC you’ll need to achieve the same result as someone with a lower body weight. Other contributing factors include your tolerance level and the type of edible you’re consuming. They’re not all created equal.
However, we’ve created a helpful chart that offers some guidelines regarding THC per dose, what to expect, and who it’s recommended for so you can start your edible journey where it makes the most sense for you.
| Dosage | Level | Expectations | Who It’s For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 2.5 mg | Microdose | This level is good for addressing anxiety and pain without any “high” | Beginners and those who don’t want to experience a psychoactive high |
| 3 to 5 mg | Low | If you’re new to using THC edibles, you’ll probably experience a slight high. This level is also good for treating pain and nausea. | We’d recommend this level for beginners and those who want more therapeutic effects, but don’t mind a little head involvement. |
| 10 to 15 mg | Medium | You’ll feel good, sleep better, and be able to manage pain at this level. New users may be uncomfortable. | We recommend this level for more experienced users. |
| 20 to 30 mg | High | Expect to experience euphoria and intoxication. | This level is only recommended for experienced users. |
| 50 to 100 mg | Very high | This is a therapeutic dose for those dealing with chronic pain from MS, cancer, etc. Do not take this dose if you have mental health issues. | We recommend this dose only for those dealing with severe pain. It is not recommended for recreational users. |
Edible Dosing Guide for Beginners
Interested in trying out THC edibles for the first time? If you’re a beginner, you’ll be curious about your edible dosage, but also the process involved. We’ll walk you through what you need to know.
Define Your Goals
First, define your goals. What do you want out of your experience? Are you interested in treating pain or anxiety? Do you want a more recreational experience? Microdoses can help offset anxiety, while slightly higher doses can give beginners a comfortable high without getting too high.
Define Your Strain
Sativa and indica produce very different effects on the body, leaning either more toward the head or the body. The various hybrids out there can offer one type of high with characteristics of one or both strains, too.
Define Your Edible
What sort of edible are you interested in trying? Brownies can be a delicious treat, but gummies might be more discrete. There’s a whole world of edible options out there, so explore them and learn more about your preferences. It’s not just about taste or discretion, either. Some products deliver THC much more quickly to your bloodstream than others do. For instance, an oil will get the THC into your body much faster than a cookie will. Talk to your budtender about your goals and get their recommendations on the type of edible.
Understand the Factors Affecting Your Experience
Your experience level, age, weight, and metabolism will all factor into your edible experience. That’s why it’s so important to choose your edible dosage based on your factors. If you’re not sure about where to start, work with an expert to create customized recommendations.
The Golden Rule
The golden rule when it comes to marijuana of any type is “Start low, go slow”. Begin your edible journey with a relatively low dose. If you’ve never tried marijuana before, start with a microdose. It’s unlikely to give you a “high” but it will produce some effects in the body. You can also step up to a low dose to experience a light high and see how it makes you feel. Take your time here. There is no need to rush the experience. By experimenting with low and then moderate dosage levels, you can begin to learn more about what your individual experience will be like and then decide if you want to try a higher edible dosage.
Go for Balance
We recommend buying your cannabis products from a licensed dispensary for several reasons. One of those is for accurate dosing information, as all the products sold will include data that tells you how much THC/CBD there is per dose and what the dosage size is for each product. However, you’ll also find other information on that label, including the ratio of THC to CBD. We recommend starting with products that include a 1:1 ratio of the two because CBD can affect how the body uptakes THC. With a 1:1 ratio, your experience will be mellower and less racy, which can be much more comfortable for beginners.
Tips for Dosing THC Edibles
If it’s go-time and you’re ready to start experimenting with THC edibles, we have a few important tips to keep in mind.
- Be patient and be willing to try again. Edibles affect individuals differently. Don’t expect to have the same experience as someone else. Don’t expect to have the same experience back-to-back with the same edible, either. Have patience, experiment, and go slow.
- Don’t fear intense effects. If you take too much or you start to feel too high, remember that you’re in control and can take steps to mitigate the experience. Deep breathing is one of the most important things to do. You can also take CBD to help reduce the discomfort, so we recommend having a tincture handy.
- Wait a little while before taking another dose. Too many first-timers get impatient when they don’t experience anything right off the bat and take another dose too soon. That can lead to being too high. We recommend that you wait at least an hour (preferably two) before you take another dose. This can mean the difference between an enjoyable high and an overdose.
- Do it on an empty stomach. This is contrary to the advice given when drinking, but taking edibles on an empty stomach can help get the THC into your system faster. That’s because it doesn’t get lost in the mix of other food. However, while your stomach should be empty, you shouldn’t be ravenous. Once it’s in your system, eat something with high fat content and you may find that it enhances your experience.
- Plan for a longer trip than if you were smoking. Edibles can last for hours. Don’t take an edible if you want a “maintenance hit”. These should be used if you’re going to have a dedicated session where you’re doing nothing but enjoying the effects.
