Wondering how much THC is right for you? Finding your ideal dosage may take some experimentation, but here’s some basic info to help you get started. For many first-time cannabis users (or those who are coming back to it after some time away), the idea is to start low and go slow.  

How to Measure THC Dosage and Why It’s Important

THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. We’re going to focus here on measurable THC, not the flower that you smoke or vape. It’s a lot harder to quantify that amount since there are so many variables in the inhalation process. A good rule of thumb for smoking is that a single hit from a joint is around 2.5-5 milligrams of THC. 

When you’re shopping for cannabis edibles, talk to your kindly Budtender about how to read the product packaging. It will list specific cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.  

Adding CBD to THC can enhance the medical benefits of cannabis edibles (like helping with pain or anxiety), while also decreasing the intensity of the psychoactive effects. Balanced edibles — those with a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1 — will be therapeutic and produce less of a high than edibles with just THC. Be sure to ask about the content of both THC and CBD when shopping for edibles.  

Should I Buy a Tincture or Edibles?

There are advantages to both edibles and tinctures. They’re discreet and cost-effective when compared to smokable cannabis and offer precise dosages. Edibles come in a wider range of flavors — from fruity, botanical, chocolate and more. On the other hand, some tinctures are flavored to mask the marijuana taste. Again, it’s all about what works for you, and you can always mix and match your cannabis. 

Edibles: THC Dosages

Your body converts cannabinoids into a more powerful THC when you have an edible, with longer-lasting and more powerful results. So, it takes a lot less THC to get high with an edible than flower. You may want to start with a quarter of a gummy—2 mg—depending on the overall strength of the edible. Other variables to consider are whether you’ve eaten before you did the edible, your weight and overall tolerance, and your individual metabolism.  

Remember to take your time and know that everyone responds differently to different amounts. 

Tinctures: THC Dosage

A tincture in the most basic sense is a cannabis extract, in which a liquid is infused with cannabis, meant for sublingual (under-the-tongue) consumption, not vaporization or smoking. Tinctures are easy to use — the basic dose of a tincture is 1-2 mg taken under the tongue and held in your mouth for a minute before swallowing. If you’re unsure how many mg are in a dropper, ask your Budtender for help.  

Don’t take any more tincture for a couple of hours until your body has time to react fully to your original dose, as with edibles. Add 1 mg each time until you get the desired effect. 

Shop Precision-Dosed Cannabis Today and Elevate Your Cannabis Experience

Shop online or stop by your local Key dispensary — we’ll help you find not only the right cannabis product but also offer guidance on dosages. Keep in mind that with cannabis, you’re looking for the minimal dose for the result you want, and your Budtenders are here to help.