How do you dose cannabis edibles?

Finding the right cannabis dosage usually requires some trial and error. Dosing can be particularly challenging with cannabis edibles, as their long-lasting and potent nature mean that taking too much can lead to hours of unwanted side effects.

However, by getting your edibles dosing right, you may enjoy long-lasting relief from symptoms like chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety.

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The difference between consuming edibles and other forms of cannabis

Edibles affect us differently from other forms of cannabis like vaporizers and smokable flower. These differences play a role in how we should dose them.

The effects of cannabis are felt most rapidly when cannabis is inhaled. When smoking or vaping, the effects can be felt almost immediately and last up to about 3 hours.

The onset of effects takes much longer when ingesting cannabis. Before reaching the bloodstream, cannabinoids must be digested and metabolized by the liver.

Edibles may take up to 2 hours to kick in, and effects can last for more than 8 hours. They also tend to be much more potent than other forms.

How to find the right marijuana edibles dose

Everyone metabolizes cannabinoids like THC and CBD differently. This means that what may be a tolerable dose for one person can be intolerable for another.

People can also build a tolerance to THC over time, meaning that an appropriate dose for an experienced user will be quite different compared to a beginner’s.

There are many factors to consider when deciding on an edibles dose, including:

• Body weight: Those with a higher body weight might benefit from taking higher doses of edibles.
• Your health condition: If you’re using cannabis edibles to manage a health condition, you’ll need to take your medical needs into account. For example, if you have severe chronic pain, an above-average dose may be necessary for relief. Ask your doctor for personalized dosing guidance.
• Whether or not you’re taking certain medications: Cannabis might interact with certain medications, which can affect dosing.
• Cannabis tolerance: If you’re inexperienced with cannabis, or you’re sensitive to THC’s intoxicating effects, you might prefer a lower dose.

Is there a maximum THC edible dosage?

There’s never been a reported fatal overdose caused by cannabis alone. Still, like all cannabis products, edibles can cause side effects including:

• Anxiety
• Drowsiness
• Dry/bloodshot eyes
• Dry mouth
• Increased heart rate
• Lightheadedness

You may be more likely to experience these side effects if you take a higher dose than recommended.

Because of how edibles are metabolized, their effects can last for several hours. This means that taking too much can leave you feeling the discomfort of these potential side effects for most of the day.

To prevent negative side effects, consider starting with a very low dose (2.5 to 5 mg THC), and waiting for up to 2 hours to see how you feel. From there, you can increase your dosage by small increments until you find what works best for you.

How accurate are the labels on edible cannabis products?

All edible products sold in dispensaries have a milligram (mg) strength on the label. Some products, like gummies, are easy to dose with, because each serving contains an equal mg strength per piece. Other products, like cannabis chocolate bars and brownies, come in large portions, and are meant to be broken up into individual doses.

However, whether these measurements are always accurate is difficult to say. One study by The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine showed that, out of 75 products, only 17% had accurate labeling in terms of THC content. However, this study was done in 2015, and only tested products made in California and Washington, so it may not reflect the current market.

It’s also difficult to ensure a consistent amount of cannabis in each serving. Cannabinoids dissolve in fat rather than water, so they may not disperse evenly throughout an edibles batch.

Calculating THC dosage for homemade edibles

If you’re making your own edibles, you’ll need to know how much THC is in your product to dose them according to your needs.

To calculate the number of THC in each serving, use this formula:

Weight of flower or concentrate (by the gram) x THC% x 1,000 ÷ number of servings

For example, a gram (1000 mg) of concentrate containing 60% THC has a milligram strength of 600 mg THC.

When making edibles with liquids like tinctures and extracts, you can figure out the number of milligrams of THC by looking at the milligram strength on the product’s label.

Tips for dosing weed edibles

Here are some final tips to get your edibles dosing right.

• Start low and go slow: Eating cannabis can produce very potent effects compared to other consumption methods.
• Consider a balanced CBD and THC product: Taking a product that contains equal parts CBD and THC may help you avoid certain side effects of THC.
• Look at labels: If you’re buying edibles from a dispensary, check the product’s strength before buying, to avoid a product that’s too strong or too weak for you.
• Buy quality cannabis for homemade edibles: If you’re making your own edibles, use high-quality cannabis, whether you’re using cannabis flower, a concentrate, or an extract.
• Consume in a safe environment: Plan to consume your edible in a calm, comfortable space.
• Use caution when mixing cannabis drinks with other substances: Whether it’s alcohol or prescription medication, be aware of potential drug interactions with marijuana. Speak with your doctor about the risks of mixing cannabis with other substances.
• Take tolerance breaks when necessary: If regular cannabis use has inhibited your ability to feel its effects, consider a tolerance break.
• Stay well-fed and hydrated: Proper nourishment and hydration can improve how you digest cannabis for more gradual and consistent effects.

The bottom line: With some trial and error, you can find the perfect weed edibles dosage for you

With the “start low and go slow” method, you can find your perfect edibles dose. Listen to your body, and consider asking a healthcare provider for more personalized dosage guidance.

By getting a medical marijuana card through Leafwell, you can access expert guidance from licensed doctors. Make a telehealth appointment today to find a cannabis edibles routine that works for you.

Resources

• Cannabinoid dose and label accuracy in edible medical cannabis products. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2338239
• Importance of a standard unit dose for cannabis research. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7318599/

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