Cannabis capsules dosage: the short answer
Start with 2.5 mg of THC or less if you have not used oral cannabis. Wait at least 2 hours before taking a second capsule. Most US states cap one serving of THC edibles at 10 mg and one package at 100 mg.
How Do Cannabis Capsules Work? A Complete Guide
Common THC capsule doses
- 2.5 mg: low dose, common first step
- 5 mg: one standard serving in several states
- 10 mg: one full serving, common for regular users
- 25 mg and up: high dose, sold in medical markets
Capsules hold THC in a carrier oil such as MCT oil, olive oil, or hempseed oil. The number on the label is total THC per capsule in milligrams, not per bottle.
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Onset, peak, and duration
- Onset: 30 to 120 minutes after swallowing
- Peak blood level: 2 to 4 hours
- Duration: 4 to 8 hours for most users, up to 12 hours at high doses
Oral THC passes through the liver before it reaches the bloodstream. The liver converts THC to 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite with stronger psychoactive effects. Oral bioavailability of THC runs about 4% to 20%, which is lower and more variable than inhaled THC.
How to read a capsule label
Check total THC per capsule, CBD per capsule, capsule count, batch date, and the state lab test code. A 10-capsule bottle at 5 mg per capsule holds 50 mg total. That is half the 100 mg package limit used in several states. A 10 mg capsule equals two 5 mg servings.
Steps for a first dose
- Pick a day with no driving or work duties.
- Take one capsule with food and water.
- Write down the time and the milligram amount.
- Wait 2 hours.
- Note effects at 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours.
- Raise the dose by 2.5 mg at the next session only if effects were mild.
Factors that change the effect
Food in the stomach slows onset and can raise absorption. Liver enzyme activity, mainly CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, varies between people and changes how fast THC clears. Published studies show a weak link between body weight and oral THC effects. Daily use builds tolerance and raises the dose needed. CBD in the same capsule can blunt some THC effects. Alcohol, prescription sedatives, and grapefruit juice can interact with THC.
Too much THC
Signs of an oral overdose: nausea, fast heart rate, anxiety, confusion, and a sense of unreality. These effects pass as the drug clears. No lethal THC dose has been established in humans. Get medical help for chest pain, fainting, or vomiting that will not stop.
Storage
Keep capsules in the original child-resistant container, away from heat and light. THC degrades over time. Check the expiration date printed by the producer.