How much of an edible should you take the first time?
Since the ideal edibles dose depends on a lot of things, including tolerance, individual body chemistry, body weight, and the experience you’re looking for, start with 1 - 2 mg THC and work you way to finding your perfect dose.
If you’ve never taken edibles before, we recommend "starting low and going slow." This means taking 2.5 mg to start with. 5mg is often considered a low dose, so 2.5 mg is a half-dose, also called a microdose, which most users report not imparting intense intoxication or adverse effects.
Many experts suggest starting with sublingual drops as the best way to find your ideal dose since this method allows for small dosing increases. Swallow any saliva in your mouth so you're not diluting your cannabis, use your tongue to swirl the drops around your mouth, and then refrain from foods or drinks for the next 15 minutes. With edibles, keeping them in your mouth as they dissolve is also recommended for faster absorption.
Tip #1 - Cut or divide edibles to make smaller doses.
Edibles in dispensaries often come in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg doses, so we recommend buying gummies, mints, or another type of edible that can be cut up easily to make smaller doses
Tip #2 - Always check the label
When buying edibles, check that the dosage is clearly labeled for each edible, so you know how they are dosed.
Never assume one piece is one dose. Know what you are taking.
Tip #3 - Start low and go slow!
Remember, you can always take more, but you can’t take less. Wait at least one hour after taking edibles, and if you don’t feel anything or want stronger effects after one hour, take another 2.5 mg
How long do cannabis edibles take to kick in?
Edibles usually take 20-60 minutes to kick in but can take longer based on many factors, like metabolism, GI issues, time of day, how much you have eaten, and more.
Take a low dose of edibles and wait at least 45-90 minutes. If you want more effects after that time period, then take more edibles.
What are the most common mistakes in cannabis dosing?
The most common mistakes in cannabis dosing occur when a person takes too high a dose for their tolerance, or doesn’t feel any effect from an edible after one hour and decides to take another dose. Two hours later, both doses come through, and the individual experiences the unpleasant effects of cannabis overconsumption.
Remember, if you take more edibles before waiting for the initial dose’s effects to kick in, both doses will kick in later, and you could potentially feel too high.
How long will the effects of cannabis last?
The length of an edible high depends on the dose of the edible taken, as well as your tolerance, metabolism, and body chemistry.
For a moderately experienced consumer, an average 5 mg edible will typically last 2-4 hours from onset to comedown, with the peak of the experience at around 1 hour. If you have a high tolerance or fast metabolism, your high might wear off quicker. For someone with a low tolerance or slower metabolism, that 5 mg edible could last for up to 6 hours.
What happens when I take cannabis at night?
Some cannabis consumers enjoy edibles at night and may wake up still feeling the effects of the edible in their system. This may mean they want to take a smaller dose at night or dose earlier to match desired effects with sleeping patterns.
When taking edibles, it’s important to note how much you take to get a sense of how strong that dose is for you and how long it will last. This will help determine the ideal dose for you.
