How Many mg of Edibles Should a Beginner Take?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound in cannabis that makes you feel high. With edibles, the amount you take is printed right on the pack in milligrams. That makes dosing easy once you know what the numbers mean, and surprisingly easy to get wrong if you don't.

What the milligrams mean

Every edible lists two numbers: THC per gummy and THC per pack. A 3-pack of 40mg gummies has 40mg in each gummy and 120mg in the pack. Always dose by the per-gummy number, and remember that one whole gummy can be several beginner doses.

A sensible first dose: 2.5 to 5mg

Health Canada's advice for new users is to start with 2.5mg of THC or less. Most beginners find 2.5 to 5mg is plenty for a first try. Our 36-pack of 5mg microdose gummies makes that easy, because each gummy is already a beginner-sized dose. If you have a stronger gummy, cut it into pieces: a 40mg gummy cut into eighths gives you 5mg pieces.

Wait before taking more

Edibles usually take 30 minutes to two hours to kick in, and the effects can last six hours or longer. The most common beginner mistake is taking a second gummy because the first "isn't working". Wait at least two hours, and if you want more, try a slightly bigger dose on another day instead. Our guide to how long edibles take to kick in explains why.

Working up slowly

If 5mg felt mild, try 7.5 or 10mg next time. Change one thing at a time, and note how you felt. Tolerance varies a lot between people, so a dose that suits a friend may not suit you. Our edible dosage chart shows how doses step up. If you'd like a softer experience, THC:CBD blends pair THC with non-intoxicating CBD.

A few ground rules

Don't drive or operate anything after taking an edible. Don't mix edibles with alcohol. Eat something first if you tend to feel effects strongly. Edibles are for adults 19 and over. Keep them sealed and out of reach of children and pets, because gummies look just like candy.