Edible Dosing Guide: How to Calculate THC in Homemade Edibles

Proper dosing separates enjoyable edibles from overwhelming experiences. This guide teaches you to calculate, measure, and adjust THC content in homemade cannabis edibles for safe, consistent results.

Quick Answer

To dose edibles correctly: Calculate total THC (grams of cannabis x THC% x 1000), multiply by infusion efficiency (0.7-0.9), divide by number of servings. Start with 5-10mg THC per serving for beginners. Wait 2 hours before consuming more.

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Why Dosing Matters

The Difference Between Smoking and Eating

When you smoke cannabis, effects begin within minutes and peak within 30 minutes. Eating cannabis is completely different:

• Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Peak effects: 2-4 hours after consumption
• Duration: 4-8 hours (sometimes longer)
• Intensity: Often stronger than smoking same amount

Consequences of Incorrect Dosing

Too little: No effects, wasted ingredients

Too much: Intense anxiety, discomfort, nausea, paranoia lasting hours

Proper dosing prevents both problems and creates reliable experiences.

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The Dosing Formula

Basic Calculation

Total THC (mg) = Weight of cannabis (g) x THC percentage x 1000

Example: 10 grams of 20% THC cannabis

• 10 x 0.20 x 1000 = 2,000 mg THC

Account for Extraction Efficiency

Not all THC transfers to your butter or oil. Typical efficiency ranges from 70-90%.

Infused THC = Total THC x Efficiency

• Stovetop infusion: ~70-80% efficiency
• Slow cooker: ~75-85% efficiency
• Specialized devices: ~80-90% efficiency

Example continued: 2,000 mg x 0.80 = 1,600 mg THC in your infusion

Calculate Per-Serving Dose

Per-serving dose = Infused THC ÷ Number of servings

Example continued: 1,600 mg ÷ 16 brownies = 100 mg per brownie

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Recommended Dosing by Experience

Absolute Beginners (No Cannabis Experience)

Recommended dose: 2.5-5 mg THC

Start extremely low. You can always eat more, but you cannot un-eat what you have consumed.

Occasional Users

Recommended dose: 5-15 mg THC

Those who smoke occasionally but are new to edibles should still start low due to different metabolism.

Regular Cannabis Users

Recommended dose: 15-30 mg THC

Tolerance from smoking partially transfers to edibles, but not completely.

Experienced Edible Consumers

Recommended dose: 30-50+ mg THC

Only after establishing your personal tolerance through careful testing.

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Factors Affecting Edible Intensity

Body Weight and Metabolism

Larger individuals may need higher doses. Fast metabolisms may feel effects sooner but shorter.

Stomach Contents

• Empty stomach: Faster onset, potentially stronger effects
• Full stomach: Slower onset, more gradual effects

Eating a fatty meal before or with edibles can increase absorption.

Tolerance

Regular cannabis users may need higher doses. Tolerance develops over time with consistent use.

Individual Variation

Some people are naturally more sensitive to THC. Start low regardless of what friends report.

Product Consistency

Homemade edibles may have "hot spots" where THC is not evenly distributed. Mix batters thoroughly.

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Practical Dosing Strategies

The Test Dose Method

Before consuming a full serving of new edibles:

1. Calculate expected dose per serving

2. Consume half that amount

3. Wait 2-3 hours for full effects

4. Note how you feel

5. Adjust future doses accordingly

The Tablespoon Method

Measuring cannabutter or oil by tablespoon allows consistent dosing:

• 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
• If your cup contains 1,600 mg THC
• Each tablespoon = 100 mg THC
• Each teaspoon = 33 mg THC

Plan recipes around these measurements.

The Dilution Method

If your infusion is too strong, dilute with regular butter or oil:

• Mix 50/50 with regular butter = half the potency
• Mix 1:3 with regular butter = 25% of original potency

This is easier than trying to use less infused fat in recipes.

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Common Dosing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not Waiting Long Enough

Edibles can take up to 2 hours to kick in. Eating more because you "feel nothing" leads to overwhelming experiences.

Solution: Set a 2-hour timer. Do not consume more until it rings.

Mistake 2: Using Arbitrary Amounts

Guessing amounts without calculation leads to inconsistent results.

Solution: Always calculate expected potency before cooking.

Mistake 3: Uneven Distribution

Cannabutter pooling in one area creates hot spots in baked goods.

Solution: Mix batters thoroughly. Consider creaming cannabutter with sugar first.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Strain Potency

Not all cannabis is 20% THC. Actual potency varies from 10% to 30%+.

Solution: Know your starting material. When unknown, estimate conservatively (15% THC).

Mistake 5: Combining with Alcohol

Alcohol increases THC absorption and can intensify effects unpredictably.

Solution: Avoid alcohol when testing new edible batches.

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Dosing Chart Reference

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What To Do If You Take Too Much

Stay Calm

Remember: No one has died from cannabis overdose. Effects will pass, usually within 4-8 hours.

Practical Steps

1. Find a safe, comfortable space

2. Stay hydrated (water, not alcohol)

3. Eat something (may help reduce intensity)

4. Distraction (calm TV, music, conversation)

5. Sleep if possible (often the best solution)

6. CBD may help (can reduce THC intensity)

Black Pepper Remedy

Some people find chewing black peppercorns reduces cannabis anxiety. Terpenes in pepper may interact with cannabinoid receptors.

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Creating Lower-Dose Edibles

Use Less Infused Fat

Instead of all cannabutter, use partial amounts:

• 1/4 cup cannabutter + 3/4 cup regular butter = 25% potency
• Works well for beginners

Make Smaller Portions

Cut brownies into 24 pieces instead of 12 for half the dose per piece.

Calculate Before Cooking

Plan your recipe around your desired dose, not the other way around.

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Record Keeping

Keep a simple log for each batch:

• Date made
• Amount and strain of cannabis used
• THC percentage (if known)
• Amount of butter/oil made
• Calculated total THC
• Recipe used
• Number of servings
• Calculated dose per serving
• Actual effects (after testing)

This log helps you refine dosing over time and recreate successful batches.

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Proper dosing transforms cannabis cooking from guesswork to science. Start low, go slow, and keep records for consistent results.