Dosing 101· 7 min read
Edibles Dosage: Start Low, Go Slow
More first-time cannabis problems come from overdosed edibles than from any other product category. The reason isn't that edibles are stronger — it's that they take 60–90 minutes to kick in, and the typical new user takes a second dose at the 45-minute mark thinking the first one didn't work. Then both doses hit at once. This guide is how to avoid that.
The single most important rule
Edibles are absorbed through your digestive system and metabolized by your liver, which converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC — a more potent and longer-lasting compound than what you get from smoking. That's why an inhaled dose that feels like a 4 (out of 10) can feel like a 7 as an edible at the same milligrams.
Dose tiers (assuming low tolerance)
| Dose | What it feels like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2.5 mg | Subtle. Mild lift, slight body softening. | Microdose, social, daytime. |
| 2.5–5 mg | Light. Pleasant relaxation, mild euphoria. | First-time edibles, low-key evening. |
| 5–10 mg | Standard recreational. Clear effects, may impair coordination. | Regular consumers, evening only. |
| 10–20 mg | Strong. Significant impairment likely. Stay put. | Experienced users only. |
| 20+ mg | Heavy. Long, intense. Couch-lock probable. | Experienced users, no obligations. |
Onset and duration
- Onset: 60–90 minutes after eating. Empty stomach speeds it up; a heavy meal slows it down.
- Peak: around 2–4 hours after ingestion. This is when most people feel it the strongest.
- Total duration: 4–8 hours depending on dose, metabolism, and tolerance. A 10 mg edible can keep you noticeably affected past hour six.
- Sublingual tinctures and fast-onset drinks: kick in within 15–30 minutes and exit faster (2–4 hours). Better choice if you can't commit to a full evening.
What to do if you've taken too much
- Don't panic. Nobody has ever died from a cannabis overdose. The feeling is uncomfortable, not dangerous.
- Find a calm space. Dim the lights. Put on something familiar. Lie down if it helps.
- Hydrate. Water or a non-caffeinated drink. Skip coffee and alcohol.
- Eat something. Carbs help. Body needs fuel to clear the THC.
- Black pepper sniff or chew: anecdotal but widely reported to ground a cannabis edge — beta-caryophyllene is in both.
- CBD if you have it on hand: small studies suggest CBD can blunt the worst of an over-dose feel.
- Time: the only real cure. 4–8 hours from peak. You'll be fine by morning.
Common dosing mistakes we see at the counter
- 'It hasn't kicked in yet, so I'll take more.' Wait. Two full hours. Track the time. Don't add a second dose before then.
- 'I used to smoke a lot in college, so I have high tolerance.' Tolerance resets within a few weeks of not using. Smoking tolerance doesn't transfer cleanly to edibles.
- Sharing a 100 mg edible 'in halves': halves of a poorly-cut edible aren't reliable doses. Buy properly portioned edibles where each piece is the label dose.
- Mixing with alcohol: alcohol and cannabis multiply each other unpredictably. Pick one or save it for another night.
· FAQ ·
Common questions about dosing 101.
- Why are New York edibles only sold in 5 mg or 10 mg pieces?
- New York state law caps individual edible servings at 10 mg of THC and total package contents at 100 mg. This is consumer-safety policy — designed to make accidental overdosing much harder. Per-serving labels are required and reliable.
- Can I build tolerance to edibles?
- Yes. Daily users may need 10–20 mg for noticeable effects. A 48–72 hour break usually resets a meaningful chunk of tolerance; two weeks resets most of it.
- Why did my edible kick in faster the second time?
- Your gut and liver get more efficient at processing THC the more often you do it. Experienced users sometimes see onset closer to 30–45 minutes. Don't assume that means your first dose is wrong — wait the full window the first few times.
- Are CBD-only edibles psychoactive?
- No. CBD doesn't produce intoxication on its own. CBD-only edibles can still affect how you feel — calmer, less anxious — but they won't make you feel 'high.' Many of our customers prefer them for daytime use.
· Keep reading ·
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Last updated · Feb 2026 · For adults 21+ · Educational content, not medical advice