Cannabis affects everyone differently; it’s not a one-size-fits-all experience. Your ideal dose depends on factors like metabolism, body weight, and tolerance. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned consumer, understanding proper dosing can help you get the most out of your cannabis experience.
How Cannabis Affects Your Body
THC (Whether it’s Delta-9 THC or other isomers) works differently for everyone based on metabolism, body weight, and tolerance.
Here are our expert Budtender recommendations for milligrams based on typical user tolerances:
- First-Timers & Low-Tolerance Users: Start with 2-5mg of Delta-9 THC in an edible or one single 2-3 second inhale with vapes or joints. Wait 4-6 hours before consuming any more to avoid overwhelming effects.
- Occasional Users: Comfortable with 5-10mg+ in an edible and multiple 2-3 second inhalations with dabs or flower.
- Experienced Users: Comfortable with 10-25mg+ in edibles and longer sessions for dabs or flower.
- High-Tolerance Users: 50mg+ might be required for strong effects. Multiple sessions of dabs or flower may be needed for desired effects/relief.
Dosing Guide: How Different Products Affect You
Not all THC products hit the same way—this is what you need to know. Depending on the product type, you may expect to receive different timeframes for general effects.
| Product Type | Onset Time | Peak Effects | Duration |
| Smoking/Vaping | 1-5 minutes | 20-30 minutes | 1-3 hours |
| Edibles (Gummies, Brownies) | 30-90 minutes | 2-3 hours | 4-8 hours |
| Sublingual Oils/Tinctures | 15-30 minutes | 1-2 hours | 3-6 hours |
| Water-Soluble THC | 10-20 minutes | 30-60 minutes | 1-6 hours |
| Transdermal (Lotions, Creams) | 10-20 minutes | 45 min – 2 hrs | 4-8 hours |
How to Avoid Overconsumption (And What to Do If You Get Too High!)
Sometimes you take too much, and that’s okay! If you ever feel like you’ve overdone it, don’t panic. Here are a few simple remedies to try:
- Hydrate: Drink water or juice, avoid alcohol or caffeine.
- Relax: Find a quiet, comfy space and breathe slowly.
- Take CBD: CBD can help balance THC’s effects at the CB1 receptor.
- Try Black Peppercorns: Chewing black peppercorns may help reduce THC-induced anxiety through the terpene Beta-Caryophyllene.
The Snapdragon Safe-Dose Formula
Here’s our tried-and-true method on how to figure out your perfect THC dose.
- Start Low: Take 2-5mg THC and wait at least an hour. To avoid overconsumption, you may want to wait 4-6 hours before adding any more THC.
- Increase Slowly: If you don’t feel effects, add 2-5mg more, then wait another 1-3 hours.
- Find Your Sweet Spot: Keep notes on what dose feels best for you.
Finding the correct THC dose is a personal journey, not a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding how different products work and taking a mindful approach, you can have a safe and enjoyable cannabis experience. Always start low, go slow, and listen to your body. Snapdragon Cannabis Co. is here to help you along the way!