Your Guide to Dosing Edibles (+ Edible Dose Chart)

There are more edible cannabis options on the market now than ever before – in the form of chocolates, cookies, gummies, tablets, and more. It’s why it’s wise to know how to dose edibles. This is especially true if you’re more used to smoking a joint or puffing on a vape pen.

Both the onset of your high and how long it will last are different with edibles than with smoking. These can even take the experienced toker unawares with the wrong dose. 

So we’ve put together an edible dosing chart and all the relevant advice about low and slow to keep your next session a pleasant one.

Edibles Hit Different

The one thing to always keep in mind when eating cannabis-infused goodies is that they hit differently. It will take longer for you to start feeling high as opposed to smoking, often over an hour. Then, that feeling will stay in your system for an extended period of time — for upwards of six to eight hours depending on dose.

The reason for the delay is that edibles have to pass through your digestive system and make their way to your liver before the THC signal hits your brain. When you smoke cannabis, it’s delivered by your bloodstream via your lungs to the brain in a matter of minutes.

As for why edibles are more intense, you can thank your liver for that—when the THC hits the organ, that spurs it to change the compound into a more intense version of itself. This special compound, THC-COOH, is far more potent than THC and can take you by surprise.

Rules for Dosing Edibles

[caption id="attachment_1045" align="alignright" width="523"] Before you go all-in on a cannabis chocolate bar, learn how to keep the experience an uplifting one.[/caption]

Wondering exactly how to dose edibles? If so, there are a few rules you should follow to keep balanced. Doing so will prevent you from taking too much as well as ensure you are already riding pleasantly high.

Start Low, Go Slow

It might be tempting to eat a lot at once, but it’s important to be aware of how much THC is in your edibles and to go slowly. Start with a minimal dose, and see how that hits. Only once you understand that dose, should you increase it by five to 10 mg.

Don’t Go Back for Seconds

With edibles, it’s important to be patient. Because of the longer onset time, you might make the mistake of thinking your edible isn’t working and want to eat more. 

The result can be too much THC hitting your system at once, which you want to avoid. Wait at least three hours for the first dose to hit. It will kick in, trust us.

Don’t Dose When Hungry

Make sure you’ve had something to eat before dosing, as you don’t want an edible to hit on an empty stomach. That can cause a tummy ache and a bad trip, neither of which are fun. A snack with lots of good fat will help the THC kick in quickly and safely.

Make Sure You’re Hydrated

If you’ve ever experienced cottonmouth, then you know that cannabis impacts your salivary glands. And while marijuana doesn’t dehydrate you like alcohol does, drinking water can help you digest cannabis.

Avoid Alcohol

You don’t want to mix alcohol and THC, so don’t reach for an IPA when the cottonmouth hits. Combining these two substances can be risky, especially if you’re new to edibles.

Make Sure You’re in a Comfortable Space

There’s a chance that you might get higher than you want to, so prepare for that and don’t panic if it happens. Put on soothing music, curl up in a favorite blanket, watch a comedy film, and phone a friend if you need to.

Opt For Edibles with CBD

While THC is the compound in cannabis that gets you high, don’t sleep on CBD. The latter has a balancing effect, which can ease anxiety and amplify the best qualities of a high.

Step-By-Step Guide: How To Dose Edibles

Dose	Effects
Complete Novice 1 to 2.5 mg THC	Decreased anxiety and stress Some pain relief Enhanced creativity and attention span
Beginner 2.5 to 15 mg THC	Same as above only more intense Euphoria and feelings of bliss Feeling intoxicated Decreased coordination
Intermediate 15 to 30 mg THC	Intense feelings of bliss and euphoria Increased intoxication More decreased coordination
High 30 to 50 mg THC	Even more intense euphoria, intoxication, and decreased coordination Unpleasant effects like anxiety
Very High 50 to 100 mg THC	Intense intoxication Increased heart rate Increased unpleasant effects like anxiety Pain

The average gummy on the market will have 10 mg THC per piece – such as Wyld Edibles Raspberry Gummies – so starting with a quarter of one is good for novices. A full piece will suffice for beginners, while intermediate users can comfortably eat two to three pieces.

Those with a high tolerance may fare better with edibles branded for seasoned cannabis fans, such as Lost Farm’s Watermelon Gelato Chews. They come in packs of 10 with 10 mg THC per piece, so adjust as needed for your unique needs.

How To Dose Edibles Safely

Now that you know the rules for dosing edibles, you can go into the experience confident that you will have a good time and keep side effects to a minimum. 

You may even find that you like edibles better than flower! With longer lasting effects and no smoke, gummies are one of Californian’s favorite options.