As the ‘70s folk-rock songsters Brewer and Shipley learned, there really is such a thing as “One Toke Over the Line.” And for many cannabis consumers both new or returning to the fold, “how much THC is a lot” isn’t an idle question. While imbibing too much cannabis is very rarely dangerous, it can be unpleasant. And that’s the last thing we want you to experience.
As experienced cannabis consultants, we’re familiar with many of our customers’ concerns about accidental overindulgence. In the interest of fostering the most pleasant cannabis experiences possible, we’d like to share what we know about how to dose THC and know your limits.
We’ll also include a vital piece of information: a THC mg dosage chart to help you understand exactly how much THC is too much. It’s our goal that you feel comfortable, knowledgeable, and prepared for a positive experience with cannabis.
This guide covers how much cannabis you can safely consume as a beginner (and what to do if you’ve accidentally overindulged). By the time you’re done reading it, you should have a solid grounding in the mechanics of cannabis dosing.
How Much THC Is a Lot? A Very Personal Question
THC, of course, is the cannabinoid most directly responsible for the marijuana plant’s intoxicating properties. Before legalization, there were many horror stories about cannabis enthusiasts eating one infused brownie too many and vanishing into a black hole of paranoid couch lock. Nowadays, thanks to clearer, more consistent measuring of THC levels on packaged products, it’s easier than ever to make sure you get the appropriate dose for your experience level, metabolism, age, and body type.
But there’s a wrinkle in all this. Have you ever heard the expression “this isn’t your grandparents’ weed”? As the legal cannabis market grows and extraction and processing technologies improve, many cannabis products have become far more potent than they were even a few years ago. As a result, consumers who haven’t indulged since pre-legalization may find the cannabis they encounter is far stronger than expected!
So: How much THC is too much? The slightly unhelpful—but truly honest answer is—it depends! Some variables include your prior experience with cannabis, your age, your gender, how much food you consumed prior to taking an edible, and other factors. While a given person might feel plenty medicated after ingesting 5 mg, others might not feel much psychoactivity at all.
That’s why it’s imperative—especially for newer consumers—to approach dosages of slower-acting products such as edibles and tinctures with caution. “Start low and go slow” is the watchword here, and we recommend you wait and only gradually increase dosage from there.
Even with rapid-onset formats such as smoking or vaping, we recommend you wait at least 15 minutes before ingesting more cannabis. A given strain might be much more potent that the products you’re used to, and while you can always take more cannabis, you can’t take less.
All the cannabis-infused edibles we sell are clearly labeled with the amount of THC each serving contains, and we strongly recommend you always follow the edible dosage guidelines on the package. Also, keep in mind that this list is strictly for THC, and edibles with a combination of THC and CBD can affect you slightly differently. Why? That’s because clinical research (and anecdotal evidence) indicate that CBD tends to mitigate the psychoactivity associated with an excess of THC. It’s as if the cannabis plant has its own built-in “emergency brake” to make sure the experience isn’t too overpowering!
For the best possible experience, it’s always a good idea to have a real-life conversation with your friendly neighborhood budtender about your familiarity with cannabis, past experiences, and general metabolic characteristics.
How Much THC Is Too Much? Can You Overdose on Marijuana?
Let’s get this out of the way first: If you mean “fatal overdose,” you can’t (although a mysterious case from 2019 did raise questions). But you can definitely have too much and wish you hadn’t. The good news is that, typically, the experience is typically fairly brief.
In many of the cases reported by hospital ERs, patients inexperienced with cannabis have imbibed too quickly and are suffering from delusions: Paranoid behavior, visual or auditory hallucinations, and other such symptoms. It’s important to note that such cases typically occur in people who already suffer psychiatric disorders or are prone to them.
In short, overdosing on cannabis happens most often to people who don’t use THC products often and accidentally exceed their limits. It’s also more common when people mix cannabis with alcohol or other substances that can increase the effects.
How Many MG to Get High: THC Milligram Dosage Chart
So, how much THC is too much? Here are ranges to help you set general expectations. Again, it’s helpful to remember that everyone’s physiology is a bit different.
1 – 5 mg THC
This is generally regarded as the smallest of THC dosages, making it perfect for beginners as well as those of us who’d like to microdose. At this level we’ll typically feel mild relief of pain, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms. Some consumers experience heightened creativity as well.
5 – 15 mg THC
At this level of dosage, you’ll tend to feel stronger symptom relief. This is also where most consumers tend to feel a heightened sense of euphoria. You might also experience slight impairment of coordination and alteration of your perception of time. Anything under 15 mg is a good choice for helping with insomnia (especially with indica-dominant strains), while more energizing sativa-dominant strains can foster increased social interaction in some users.
15 – 30 mg THC
We recommend caution with inexperienced consumers ingesting dosages above 15 mg. This level is where newbies tend to experience paranoia, while seasoned users enjoy the heightened euphoria and relaxation. It’s also a good choice for cannabis patients who have developed tolerances to lower doses.
30 – 50 mg THC
At this dosage, most people experience impaired coordination and altered perception. That said, medical patients who have difficulty absorbing cannabinoids into their GI tract are helped by edible dosages of this level.
50 – 100 mg THC
This level is only for those experienced with THC. Even in seasoned consumers, negative side effects like paranoia and rapid heart rate can occur. Coordination is almost always impaired at this stage.
Beyond 100 mg THC
This level of dosage is only recommended for the most experienced consumers. Often called a “heroic dose,” it’s only for those who have taken high doses in this range before.
THC Dose: Signs You May Have Overindulged
It’s all very well for us to tell you overdosing on marijuana isn’t dangerous. When you’re in the middle of a bad experience, it can still feel overwhelming. Here are some telltale signs you might have ingested too much THC:
- You feel generalized, free-floating anxiety or paranoia
- You’re confused and unable to distinguish what’s happening from your imagination
- Your heart is racing
- You feel nauseated
- You feel dehydrated
How to Dose THC: What if I’ve Taken Too Much?
Suppose you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, to begin take a few deep breaths! Next, consider these tips to stop feeling so high:
- Stay calm. It might feel like forever, but these effects will only last a few minutes. We promise you’ll feel better soon!
- “Mom” yourself. What are the foods you find most comforting? How about a nice glass of water, or a piece of fruit? Feeding your body something nourishing and straightforward is a great way to get centered.
- Lie down and rest. You’ll feel better if you let your body relax and your mind roam. Find a dark, quiet place where you can be still and dream for a while.
- Get outside. If you’re feeling too anxious to stay still, indulging in a bit of nature time in a familiar place, like a garden or back yard, can help calm and focus your mind.
The most important thing you can do if you think you’ve consumed too much cannabis is try to stay cool, calm, and collected. Remember, this too shall pass!
How Much THC Is a Lot? Final Thoughts
Especially if you’re new to the world of cannabis, knowing how much THC is too much is vital information. We can’t say it enough times: “Start low, go slow.” Trust us, it’ll come in handy.
If you’re interested in learning more about how THC works in your body, we’d love to help! As Washington’s #1 family-run medical marijuana dispensary, we’re dedicated to helping you get the very most from your cannabis experience. Have any other questions about THC dosage? Just ask! We’re always here to help.