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Understanding dosages is one of the trickier parts of consuming cannabis. But you don’t need to be a math whiz to get there: it just takes a little time, education, and experimentation. We’ve got you covered. Here’s what to know about THC dosages before you begin your travels.
How much THC you should take is personal. THC is a cerebral molecule, and like all things that can alter how you perceive the world, how much you take has a direct correlation to how you feel. How you consume also matters — more on that later in the blog.
A THC dose is measured in milligrams. The higher the milligram amount, the stronger the dose of THC.
Because THC interacts with your endocannabinoid system, and your ECS is as unique as your fingerprint, there is no standard dosage to take. If you’re new to consuming THC, follow the golden rule: start low and go slow to avoid a bad reaction.
A microdose of THC is between 1 and 2.5 mg, and a small dose is between 2.5 and 5 milligrams. A microdose or a small dose is the best place for a new cannabis consumer to start. You may feel a lot with 2.5 mg of THC, or you may feel very little. It depends on your endocannabinoid system. Starting with a small dose allows you to gauge your reaction to THC without getting “too high.”
Cannabis comes in a range of potencies, and people with experience with cannabis may consume anywhere between 5 mg and 15 mg per session. Some people have exceptionally high tolerances and require a THC dosage of 25, 30, 50, or even 100 mg, but don’t start there. Even 10 milligrams of THC is a lot for a new consumer. It’s better to under-consume than to over-consume.
THC potency is tested and clearly labeled on every cannabis product sold in New York. Some products, like edibles and tinctures, offer a suggested dosing amount, but this may or may not be a fit for you, depending on your tolerance.
THC is labeled in percentages on flower and concentrates and in milligrams in edibles, beverages, and tinctures. It’s not as clear to measure as manufactured products with obvious servings, but there are ranges to follow nonetheless. The THC percentage tells you how strong the product is: 10% THC or less is generally considered low THC, while 11% to 17% is mild, 18% to 20% is fairly strong, and 20%+ are very strong products.
The stronger the product is, the smaller the dose you’ll need to feel the effects. 2.5 mg of a 25% THC product will be quite powerful, while 5 mg of a 10% flower will usually have more gentle effects.
Proper cannabis consumption isn’t just about milligrams or potency – it’s also about the way you consume THC.
Dosage is tricky to calculate for smoking flower because you can’t measure a puff of smoke the same way you can measure a gummy. Start with a single puff on a bowl and wait to see how you feel. The higher the percentage of THC your flower has, the stronger the effects will be.
Why smoke? Smoking provides a rapid onset of effects, allowing you to feel the THC nearly instantly. It’s a great way for new cannabis consumers to get biofeedback: you feel the effects of the THC quickly and know if you’re satisfied with the feeling or if you want to smoke more to achieve your desired effects.
Like smoking flower, it can be challenging to measure your THC dosage in milligrams with vapes. Vape products are also highly concentrated, so start with a single hit and see how you feel.
Why vape? Vaping, like smoking, provides rapid biofeedback, allowing you to gauge how THC makes you feel. It also eliminates the carcinogens from smoke which your lungs may appreciate.
Edibles and beverages are a favorite of new cannabis consumers because it’s easy to be precise with the dosing. All edibles come clearly labeled with the amount of THC, allowing you to understand exactly how much THC you’re taking in. However, edibles and infused beverages may take up to two hours to kick in, so be patient and don’t overdo it.
Read our edibles dosing guide for more info.
Why edibles? Edibles are clearly labeled with the amount of THC in them, so you know exactly how much you’re consuming. It’s easy to divide up a weed gummy or chocolate bar if it’s too strong and the effects of THC from edibles last much longer than smoking.
Concentrates, while beloved in the cannabis community for flavor and potency, are not beginner-friendly. If you’re trying a dab (with a traditional dab rig or a dab pen), take a very, very small amount. This type of cannabis product hits quickly and is known for hitting hard. Concentrates are only recommended for people who know how their body reacts to THC.
Why concentrates? Concentrates go a long way — you only need a very small amount to feel its effects. They work within minutes and can deliver powerful effects.
Product type: Anywhere from 60% to 90% THC, a serving size smaller than a grain of rice
Time to effects: Instant to a few minutes
High duration: 1 to 3 hours or longer
Tinctures come in bottles that typically have measurements on the dropper, allowing you to get precise with your dosage. Most tinctures have a suggested serving size of 1 mL or less, depending on the potency.
Why tinctures? Tinctures are discreet and measured, which makes them easy to dose as needed with precisions and take as needed, wherever you are.
Like all substances, your body can build a tolerance to the effects of THC. A THC tolerance builds based on how often you consume: the more frequently you enjoy cannabis, the faster you build a tolerance. Your tolerance, just like your reaction to THC, is entirely personal.
THC binds with your CB1 receptor in your endocannabinoid system. It takes time to process the THC in your system and the more frequently you consume, the more “buildup” there is. A tolerance break, or time away from THC, helps increase your sensitivity by resetting your endocannabinoid system.
THC is a fat-loving molecule that can take days or even weeks to fully clear from your system. A t-break, as it’s often called, allows your body to fully process out lingering by-products of THC so you don’t need as high of a dose to feel the same effects.
T-breaks are common in the cannabis community as a way for people to reset their system and feel that first-time high again. Scientifically speaking, it takes at least 48 hours for your CB1 receptors to reset to baseline, so for a tolerance break to have an effect, it must be at least two days. However, the more you consume cannabis, the more time it can take to reset your receptors. Many people take 7, 14, 21, or 30-day T-breaks to allow their system to come back to baseline.
During a T-break, do not consume any THC. You can, however, consume other cannabinoids that interact with different receptors like CBD and CBG. If you’re taking a T-break to smoke less, try incorporating minor cannabinoids into your routine through alternative methods like tinctures.
Learning the best THC dosage for you takes some time and experimenting. It’s better to feel only a little than it is to get too high accidentally, so don’t overdo it. Not sure which product type is best or where to start? The Travel Agency is here to jump-start your journey. Stop by our Union Square, Downtown Brooklyn, or Fifth Avenue locations to get guidance from people who know and love the plant.
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