Cannabis Dosing

Why Dosing Matters

Cannabis affects each person differently based on tolerance, body weight, metabolism, and genetics. Taking too much — especially with edibles — can cause anxiety, paranoia, and discomfort. Taking too little may produce no effect. Finding your optimal dose takes patience and a methodical approach. The most important rule: start with a low dose and gradually increase.

Dosing Flower & Concentrates

When smoking or vaping cannabis flower, a single inhalation delivers approximately 1-3mg of THC depending on potency. New users should take one or two puffs and wait 15-20 minutes before re-dosing. Concentrates are significantly more potent — a "rice grain" sized dab can deliver 50-80mg of THC. Beginners should avoid concentrates until they have established tolerance.

Dosing Edibles

Edible dosing is measured in milligrams (mg) of THC. The standard dosing framework: 1-2.5mg for microdosing and beginners, 2.5-10mg for standard recreational use, 10-25mg for experienced users, and 50mg+ only for very high tolerance individuals. Edibles take 45-90 minutes to take effect and last 4-8 hours. Never redose too early — many bad experiences come from taking more when the first dose hasn't kicked in yet.

Factors That Affect Your Dose

Several factors influence how much cannabis you need: body weight and composition, prior cannabis experience and tolerance, consumption method (inhaled vs. eaten), the specific strain and its cannabinoid profile, and whether you've eaten recently. CBD can modulate the psychoactive effects of THC, so products with balanced THC:CBD ratios may be more manageable for new users.

Building Tolerance

Regular cannabis use increases tolerance over time, meaning you'll need more to achieve the same effect. Tolerance breaks (T-breaks) — abstaining for 2-4 weeks — can reset tolerance significantly. If you find yourself needing high doses to feel effects, a T-break may help restore sensitivity and save money on cannabis products.