According to recent studies, nearly 80 million consume cannabis daily. It is unclear if the term ‘consumption’ engulfs patients who prefer THC-laden edibles. Additionally, there is a large populace of consumers who don’t understand how edibles are dosed. Fret not, dear stoner! We have got you covered! Here’s what you need to know about edible dosing.
Edibles and Your Metabolism
An edible is a term for food or drink that has been imbued with the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. The infusion process regularly consists of the confectioner using a lipid such as butter or oil. Still, the dry cannabis cannot be sprinkled in or on the edibles like seasoning and be deemed effective. The cannabis must go through a method known as Decarboxylation. This method requires the cook to crush the cannabis evenly and heat it ever so lightly without burning it. This process not only activates the THC within the cannabis but converts the cannabinoids into THCA. This is the acidic form of THC required for all edibles to be effective. The body breaks down THCA within the body differently than smoking typical cannabis.
The Science of Dosing Cannabinoids and Edibles
The science behind the potency of cannabis when choosing to make edibles is firm. For every single gram of weed, there are 1000 mg or 1000 parts of dry cannabis. If the confectioner knows the THC percentage per gram of cannabis they use, a simple formula can be performed. Typically, potent cannabis ranges from 18 to 25 percent THC per gram. This means, per gram, cannabis can consist of 180 to 250 mg of THC. The amount of butter or oil used can yield 10 to 15mg of THC per tablespoon. For a better understanding, 30 to 50 mg of THC within edibles is recommended for the enthusiastic cannabis consumer. This amount of THC can induce euphoria, intense levels of relaxation, and hallucinations.
Why Tolerance Varies from Patient to Patient
As aforementioned, even the most avid cannabis consumer can get too high from edibles. 30 to 50 mg of edibles is enough to put the typical stoner under. However, there are a multitude of dispensaries and cannabis companies that offer edibles of 100 mg of THC and up. Additionally, the timeframe of effects associated with consuming edibles severely outweighs those associated with smoking dry cannabis. An edible can have a consumer intensely high for hours on end. Indulging in amounts higher than 50 mg of THC can lead the consumer to nausea, rapid heart rate, impaired motor skills and perception, audio and visual hallucinations.
Beginner’s Dose: 1 – 3mg
The typical beginner’s serving of THC is approximately 1 to 2.5 mg of THC. This amount is typically recommended for first-time cannabis consumers, albeit smoking cannabis or consuming edibles. This amount is also reserved for patients who are prone to microdosing cannabis.
Microdosing is a method of indulgence that believes by ingesting small amounts of cannabinoids, the patient can obtain the effects of edibles with little-to-no side effects. Furthermore, this method of consumption is a sound way to keep a patient’s tolerance at the desired level. If consumers are looking for a friendly, brief edible experience, consuming 1 to 2.5 mg of THC may be more than enough.
Daily Dose: 3.5 – 15mg
The following dosage is approximately 3.5 to 15 mg of THC. This level of the desired cannabinoid is often associated with pre-packaged servings of edibles available at dispensaries. Many cannabis consumers will inform you that this could be too much THC to metabolize at once for beginners. Consuming this amount of THC in edibles can be less friendly and more intense than the previous dose of THC.
Furthermore, it will take an extended amount of time to metabolize considering a patient’s circumstances such as weight, height, and sometimes gender. Patients ought to consider 3.5 – 15 mg of THC if they are looking to maintain an edible high throughout the majority of their day.
‘Average’ Dose: 15 – 30mg
The next level of edible dosage is 15 to 30 mg of THC. This dose of THC is often considered to be very intense. More times than not, this amount is reserved for patients who are well-seasoned in cannabis consumption. The effects associated with this dose are extreme and fringe on levels of euphoria.
Heavy Dose: 30mg and Above
Finally, some stoners choose to consume 30 or more mg of THC in edibles. This dose of THC provides patients with intense, euphoric, and very hallucinogenic effects. This dose is rightfully referred to as the ‘Stoner’s dose’ of edibles.
Now that you know how to dose edibles properly, it’s high time (pun intended) you get some! Be sure to check out our ‘Proven’ edibles here!