Cannabis edibles are one of the most popular categories of products in dispensaries across the US, and for good reason. Potent, long-lasting, and delicious, they’re a great way to deliver all the benefits of cannabis in a shelf-stable and consistent form—without the potential lung irritation. But since our bodies process edible cannabis differently than inhaled cannabis through smoke or vapor, it’s essential to be mindful of your edible dosages.
To avoid those dreaded feelings of overdoing it on gummies, brownies, and more, we’ve got your bases covered when it comes to proper edible dosing. Read on, and we’ll answer your burning questions, including:
- Why is edible dosage so important?
- How long does it take to feel the effects of ingested cannabis?
- How do I figure out the right dosage?
…and so much more. By the end, you’ll be a true edibles aficionado—bon appetit!
Why Edible Dosage Is Important
Due to edible’s lengthier onset time, when just getting started with them, it’s not uncommon for a consumer to eat or drink a single dose, conclude that it simply didn’t work, and then take another dose shortly after. Unfortunately, when that double dose actually takes effect, that unlucky person often finds they’ve consumed too much—colloquially coined “greening out”—and may need to spend the next few hours in discomfort, waiting for the effects to subside.
So, what’s the right dose of edible cannabis, and how can you avoid those dreadful feelings of overdoing it? Sooner or later, even the most experienced cannabis users run into this question. However, there’s really no good single answer, as edibles have a much different effect on your body and mind than simply smoking or vaporizing your bud.
Why? While the cannabis plant contains hundreds of natural compounds, when it comes to calculating your dosage, there’s one you need to pay special attention to: THC, the cannabinoid that’s most directly responsible for the plant’s distinctive “high.”
THC, like all the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, interacts with a crucial bodily network called the endocannabinoid system (or ECS), which is tasked with helping regulate functions such as immune system response, memory, metabolism, and others. Since everyone’s bodies—not to mention their needs and goals—are slightly different, there’s no one sure-fire edible cannabis dose—or cannabis dose in general.
That said, by understanding the subjective effects imparted by different amounts of THC, we can formulate some guidelines to help navigate your dosing decisions.
Onset Times
The technical term for how long it takes for cannabis or any other medication to take effect is called the “onset time.” When we ingest cannabis by smoking or vaping it, we feel its effects quickly—typically within about ten minutes. That’s because the cannabinoids are rapidly absorbed through the lungs. With edibles, however, the cannabinoids are processed through the stomach, liver, and digestive system, which means that it takes much longer for the cannabis to take effect.
How much longer? Some studies suggest that you can typically expect an edible to take between 45 minutes and 2 hours to start imparting its effects—but that’s a general estimate. We’re all a little bit different when it comes to cannabis, so while onset times usually fall within this range, for you, personally, it can be longer or shorter depending on your unique metabolism and other bodily characteristics.
Digesting THC
One factor in cannabis edibles dosing is that the THC in edibles tends to feel relatively more powerful than inhaled cannabis. Why? With edibles, a greater proportion of the THC is metabolized into another form known as 11-hydroxy-THC. As some studies suggest, the subjective effects of 11-hydroxy can feel significantly more powerful than THC alone.
Duration of Effects
Just as cannabis-infused edibles can take a long time to reach their full effect, they also last longer. Whereas you can expect the effects of smoked or vaped cannabis to last from around 1 to 3 hours, the effects of edibles often last from 5 to 8 hours and, in some cases, even up to 24 hours.
That’s a wide range, and several factors play a role. If you’re concerned about excess psychoactivity, we recommend you try a cannabis edible with either a balanced THC:CBD ratio or one that contains very little THC. Especially if you’re new to edibles, starting with these types of edible products is a good way to mitigate effects that might otherwise feel overwhelming.
Edibles: How Much Should I Take?
Again, there’s no “standard dose” or “average edible dosage” when it comes to cannabis since the effects are very personal, as each person will react differently to a particular dose, strain, or other type of cannabis product. So, how exactly do you know what will work for you? You’ll simply have to experiment carefully to find your ideal edible dosage.
Factors like your weight, metabolism, and tolerance all have a part to play, and you’ll need to take all of these variables into consideration when determining your ideal edible THC dosage. That said, here are some general guidelines to give you a sense of what effects a variety of dosages may produce.
| CATEGORY | THC EDIBLE DOSAGE | EFFECTS |
| Microdose | Between 1 and 3 mg of THC | A very low dose that may not trigger any noticeable effects. Sometimes called “microdosing,” it’s a safe place to get started with edibles. |
| Small | Between 4 and 9 mg of THC | A low starting dose for newer consumers who have a little bit of cannabis experience. Effects may be discernible but mild. |
| Medium | Between 10 and 30 mg of THC | At this point, we’re getting into higher doses that are typically not recommended for those new to edibles. You should expect more potent effects, including intense euphoria, deep relaxation, or both. |
| High | Between 50 and 100 mg of THC | This is considered a high dose that is generally only recommended for experienced cannabis users with high tolerances or medical cannabis patients. Effects will be very noticeable and long-lasting, with a higher risk of greening out. |
| Highest | 100 mg+ of THC | This is a very high dose. Generally useful for medical patients who have trouble absorbing THC through their GI tract, these doses have a much higher likelihood of triggering anxiety and uncomfortable experiences. |
Note: While everyone’s a bit different, our edible dosage chart is designed to give you some basic guidelines. Some other factors to consider include your body mass index (BMI), age, experience level with cannabis, and your recent food intake. If you’re familiar with cannabis’s effects, you’ll be better prepared for a positive edibles adventure.
Finding the Best Edible Dosage For You: Start Low and Go Slow
We’ve expressed it before, but there’s an important rule about cannabis edibles that bears repeating. Edibles take much longer to kick in than inhaled cannabis products do. Likewise, they may also feel more powerful and typically last longer than vaped or smoked THC.
This leads us to one of the most important rules of edibles: don’t double dose. It’s better to undershoot and take a little less than to accidentally go big.
If you’ve taken your first dose but don’t feel anything, wait at least 60 minutes—and even up to 120 minutes—before taking any more. Since edibles must be digested and processed by the liver before you start to feel the effects, it can take a while for cannabinoids like THC to make their way into your bloodstream.
One great way to work with edibles is to practice titration. Begin with the lowest dose possible—which could be as little as 1 mg of THC—wait for a set time, like an hour or so, and check in with yourself about how you feel. If possible, slowly work your way up over the course of a few sessions to find the amount that provides the specific benefits you’re looking for.
It can also be helpful to keep a cannabis journal where you can record data such as:
- The time of the dose
- How much you took in mg of THC
- How long until you began to feel the effects
- How they made you feel
- What impact they had on your mind, body, or symptoms
While it might take a couple of weeks to learn how to maximize the benefits of cannabis for your individual needs, it can be well worth the wait. Moving slowly and learning how edibles affect you is better than jumping in and risking a less-than-ideal experience. In many of our customers’ experiences, taking your time to play an active role in the process is the best way to avoid an uncomfortable time. The old adage “start low and go slow” really works!
Shop Mouthwatering Edibles and More at Mission
Let’s face it: Finding the right dosage for edibles is one of our customers’ top concerns. Why? Since our bodies process the THC in edibles differently than smoked or vaped cannabis, the effects tend to last much longer—and are potentially more intense.
If you’re ready to start your edibles journey, you’re in the right place—begin your search at the Mission Dispensary closest to you. We always stock a huge selection of tasty edibles, from gummies and cookies to brownies and more! Rev up your tastebuds and experience the delicious world of edible cannabis.
Want to know more about how cannabis works with our bodies? Head to our informative cannabis blog, where you’ll find in-depth articles on a plethora of cannabis-related topics, including how to properly smoke a pre-roll, how to clean a glass pipe like a pro, and much, much more. Happy reading!
