Compared to smoking, which delivers THC to your bloodstream via the lungs in just seconds, cannabis edibles carry a much different effect. Not only do edibles hit harder and last longer when digested in the stomach, but, unlike the seconds of inhalation, edibles take much longer to produce an effect, making it notoriously difficult to dose. That’s because it can take up to an hour or longer to feel the effects of a cannabis edible, which can easily lead novices to consume too much as they chase that high.
Smoking, on the other hand, produces an effect that comes on in just seconds, making it easy to determine if you’ve had enough or if you’d like more. With edibles, overconsumption is a very real possibility — something that’s much more difficult during smoking. But for those that are patient, cannabis edibles are a great way to get the effects of cannabis without smoking it.
Breaking Down an Edibles Dosage Chart
Typically, cannabis dosing is done by the individual. During smoking, it’s easy enough to stay on top of how you feel since the effects come on quickly. But when it comes to edibles, you have to throw all that out the window and take a look at the math — and it all comes down to the THC per dose.
For the most part, cannabis edibles are dosed by the amount of THC contained within. After decarbing and extracting the THC, a certain amount will be added to a given edible. Around 5 or 10 mg is a standard dose, though microdosing (1 – 2 mg) is popular with novices and those that want to chase a low-level high throughout the day to spark creativity or help manage stress or pain.
The standard doses of 5 or 10 mg starts to reach into impairment territory. Effects and symptoms are readily apparent, and it’s where most users probably want to be with the THC content. The great thing about this standard level of dosing is that cannabis edibles are easy to double up on if you need more or to split apart if you need less. However, if you find that you constantly need different dosing options, you may want to opt for cannabis edibles that are more in line with your preferences.
In the higher end of dosing on our edibles dosage chart, which starts around 20 mg and goes up to 100 mg or more, there’s a lot of variety and options. Cannabis edibles that have about 20 or 30 mg will provide a strong euphoria or high that is much more potent than standard dosing practices, which can be ideal for those that are consuming cannabis to help manage pain or those that may have higher tolerances. Those that aren’t used to these higher dosages may experience some discomfort and other negative effects, so it’s important to reserve the higher dosing for those that are experienced in their marijuana consumption.
For ultra-high dosages of 50 to 100 mg or more, only the most ardent connoisseurs need apply. Cognition and coordination will be heavily altered, and side effects such as tachycardia, nausea and other discomfort are possible. But for those with high tolerances or severe pain, these ultra-high dosages may be the only thing that does the job. For anyone else, you’d want to work up to such a level, though you likely may never get there at all.
The Right Dosing Depends on You
The reason that cannabis dosing is so difficult to get right is that it really depends on the individual. Like alcohol, which affects people differently based on things such as tolerance, body weight and other considerations, the effects of cannabis edibles can vary wildly from one person to the next. In addition to each person’s endocannabinoid system, there’s also GI issues to consider, as well as the fact that some people are more sensitive to cannabis, meaning that a microdose could affect them like a standard dose would another.
Additionally, it’s important to be careful when chasing that ultra-high dosing. Dosages above 100 mg are out there, as are dosages in the 200s and even up to 500 mg. But at these levels you risk overconsumption, which can cause nausea and paranoia, even among those that may have healthy tolerances.
Tips for Consuming Cannabis Edibles
Since cannabis edibles don’t provide the immediate high of smoking, it can be hard to get dosing right if you’re not a regular user. Ideally, you’d want to start with a standard dose before upping the game, and don’t consume more if you’re not feeling anything yet. If it’s been more than an hour, try consuming a separate snack to help kick start digestion.
That said, some people report feeling nothing for their first few experiences, so be sure not to increase your dose until your next session. However, some unlucky users may not be able to absorb THC via the gut, meaning that a lozenge under the tongue or smoking would be a better option.
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