Your Ultimate Dosage Guide for Marijuana Gummies

One thing people quickly learn about cannabis is how many different ways there are to use it. If you don’t want to smoke or vape, you definitely don’t have to. Capsules, tinctures, and even topical treatments are becoming more common today.

Another staple is the edible. You’ve probably heard of “special brownies” or another baked good that features marijuana as one of its key ingredients. Also popular are marijuana gummies. In fact, gummies are so popular, the market for them was expected to exceed $1 billion in 2018.

If you’re new to cannabis gummies, though, finding the right dose can be a bit of a trick. This guide will help you find the right dose and use gummies safely.

How do Marijuana Gummies Work?

Before diving into dosing guidelines, it helps to understand how cannabis edibles are absorbed by the body.

Smoking and vaping result in fairly instantaneous results. That’s because the cannabinoids in cannabis enter into the bloodstream through the lungs. It’s a direct route, so you’ll usually see effects within minutes.

Edibles take the long way around. Cannabis that is ingested has to be digested. Once this happens, the cannabinoids can enter into the bloodstream.

For this reason, it takes edibles much longer to get to work. Whereas smoking and vaping take minutes, it can take hours to feel the effects of marijuana gummies and other edibles.

That’s why it’s so important to get the dose right. If you eat too little, you probably won’t feel anything, and you won’t notice for hours. You can always take more, but it will take time for the next “hit” to make its way to your bloodstream.

It’s very common for the opposite situation, where people take too much, to happen as well. Since people don’t feel the effects immediately, they may think the gummy isn’t “doing anything.” This can prompt them to take more.

When the effects finally do kick in, they find they’ve taken far too much. This can lead to some negative effects, such as being “too high” or even experiencing paranoia and anxiety. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to do except wait it out.

Since it can take hours for the effects of edibles to wear off, it’s important to avoid taking too much.

The Issue with Edible Dosing

Aside from the delayed effects and lengthy sobering up period, there’s another reason it can be tricky to get an edible dosage right.

During digestion, cannabinoids like THC and CBD are partially broken down. That means you’re losing some of each dose. In fact, estimates say only about 20 percent of what you ingest actually makes it to your bloodstream.

That means that just because you ate two 10mg THC gummies doesn’t mean you’ll feel the effects of a full 20mg of THC. Other methods of use, such as smoking, also have lower bioavailability than what’s on the package.

Knowing this can help you find the right dose for marijuana gummies and other edibles.

Start Low and go Slow

The common wisdom when dosing cannabis is “start low and go slow.” This is pretty solid advice, especially for beginners.

CBD has relatively few negative side effects, so taking too much CBD is less of a concern. THC can have some adverse effects for people, especially for those who are THC sensitive. This can include paranoia, anxiety, and even hallucinations.

It’s important not to overload your system with THC then. It’s a good idea to start with a small dose, then work your way up to a larger dose.

For example, if you’ve never used edibles or cannabis before, then you may want to try just a quarter of a 10mg gummy to start. More experienced users may know they can take half or even the whole gummy without concern. Some users may take multiple gummies in order to achieve the desired effects.

Both CBD and THC have positive effects up to a particular threshold. Above this dose, users will begin to experience inverse or even negative effects.

Unfortunately, the “ideal dose” is different for everyone. Everyone’s endocannabinoid system tolerates THC and CBD differently.

That said, there are some rules of thumb you can follow when you want to dose THC and CBD gummies.

Dosing Guidelines for Cannabis Gummies

One of the first things you should do is check the packaging of the gummies you’re planning to use. A THC gummy manufacturer will include recommended dosages on the package.

If this information isn’t available, you can use the following formula:

• 1mg of THC or CBD per every 10 pounds of body weight

Someone who weighs 150 pounds would thus want to start with a dose of around 15mg of THC or CBD. That’s equivalent to about 1.5 10mg gummies.

Obviously, you can adjust this dose up or down as you see fit. It’s usually recommended for novices to start much lower, at around 2.5mg or 5mg, to see how they react. Some manufacturers offer low-dose gummies, which allow people to get accustomed to the effects.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are users who will take much higher doses to achieve the effects they want. Some people may take 30mg, 50mg, or even more before they feel the effects. It isn’t recommended to take more than 25mg at a time, unless you’re a very experienced user.

Some people who weigh more find they need less, while some individuals under 150 pounds will need much more. Cannabis dosing is incredibly individual, so it may take some time to find your ideal dose.

A Remedy for Too Much THC

If you do happen to take too much THC, there are measures you can use to help counteract it. CBD can actually ease the effects of THC.

If you suspect you’ve taken too much or you feel “too high,” then take some CBD. Another alternative is to use edibles that contain a higher ratio of CBD to THC.

Use Gummies the Right Way

Getting the right dose for marijuana gummies and other edibles can be tricky. This guide should help you find the right dose for you.

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