The effects of consuming cannabis are the result of the fact that this flower contains cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN). But the cannabinoid with the highest psychedelic impact on the human mind is THC.
While seasoned cannabis consumers who eat, drink, smoke, vape, or dab the flower regularly may look for high THC options, beginners should typically limit their THC intake until they understand how the cannabinoid will impact them. But that raises some questions for many beginners.
How much THC is in a hit and what are some ways to limit THC intake when consuming cannabis? Here’s what you need to know:
How Much THC Is In A Hit?
There’s no way to tell exactly how much THC you’re consuming when you take a puff off of a joint or hit a pipe. Several factors play a role in the amount of THC you consume. First and foremost, you may inhale more or less smoke than someone else when you smoke marijuana. And, the bigger the hit, the more THC you can expect to consume. But, that’s not the only factor at play here. Some other factors to consider include:
The Type Of Cannabis Product You Use
There are several different types of cannabis products to choose from. Here’s a quick rundown of those products and how they impact dosing:
- Flower: Marijuana flower is likely the type of product beginners think about when they think about “smoking weed.” Flower can range in THC percentages from around 10% to over 20%. The strength of the flower you choose can impact the amount of THC you consume when you take a hit.
- Vape: Vapes are typically highly concentrated. You may consume more THC per hit when you use a vape than you would when smoking the flower.
- Concentrate Dabs: Dab concentrates are highly potent, and dabbing is considered an advanced cannabis delivery method. You should only dab cannabis concentrates if you’re an experienced consumer.
- Edibles: Edibles are typically the easiest way to control your THC intake because, when you purchase them from a reputable dispensary, they will have been tested, giving you the specific number of milligrams you consume with each piece on the package.
The Strength Of The Product You Use
While vapes and concentrates may have a higher THC content than flower, it’s important to consider the THC content of each product you’re considering. That’s because THC levels can vary from one item to another, even in the same category. For example, there are three common levels of cannabis flower:
- Mild: Mild cannabis flower typically comes with 10% or less THC.
- Normal: Normal cannabis flower may have anywhere from 10.1% to 20% THC.
- High-THC: Finally, high-THC flower typically has a higher than 20% THC content.
And flower isn’t the only product that typically has varying THC contents. So be sure to look into the THC content of any cannabis product you want to purchase before you buy it.
How Is THC Measured In Cannabis Products?
You’ll typically find the THC content of cannabis products printed on the label. But how do dispensaries determine the content of flower, concentrates, vapes, edibles, and other forms of marijuana? They don’t. That’s typically done by a lab. Here’s how it works:
- The Sample: The grower or manufacturer will take a sample of the flower, concentrates, edibles, or other THC-centric products they plan to sell and send the samples to a lab.
- Extraction: The lab will extract the THC from the sample provided using a solvent.
- Testing: The lab will use scientific methods to separate the different cannabinoids and terpenes from the sample and measure the quantity of those compounds to determine their percentage in the overall product.
- Reporting: Cannabis brands then quantify the data they receive and use mathematical models to properly report the THC content in cannabis products.
Tips For Controlling How Much THC You Consume
If you’re a first-time cannabis user or you haven’t used cannabis for some time, it’s usually a good idea to limit your THC intake until you know how the cannabinoid will impact you. Here are a few tips to help you limit THC when you use cannabis:
When Smoking Cannabis Flower
If you’re a beginner who would like to try cannabis flower, or someone who has taken a prolonged break, consider the following:
- THC Strength: Look for products with less than 20% THC. Low-THC products may be the best option for beginners.
- Be Patient: Rather than smoking an entire joint or bowl, it’s better to be patient. Start by taking a single hit and waiting 15 minutes to see how it affects you. If you’re looking for a larger impact, take another hit 15 minutes later and continue to do so until you get the desired effect.
When Eating Or Drinking Cannabis
It’s simple to limit your THC intake when eating or drinking cannabis because these products typically label the amount of THC that’s involved in each serving. While 10mg is the average dose for THC-infused edibles, that may be too much for beginners. Consider cutting the edible product into four pieces and consuming anywhere from 2.5 to 5mg. You can always consume more to achieve the desired effect later.
Keep in mind, however, that while smoking cannabis typically has a nearly immediate onset, it can take some time for edibles to kick in. So give it a half an hour to 45 minutes after taking your first dose before you add to it.
When Vaping Cannabis
Cannabis vape products can be stronger than other cannabis products. Beginners should start by taking a small drag off of a vape pen and waiting 15 minutes. Continue to do so until you achieve the desired effect.
When Dabbing Cannabis
Dabbing cannabis concentrates is considered an advanced THC delivery method. Doing so can come with an immediate hit of a high amount of THC. As such, dabbing should only be considered by veteran cannabis users. Even then, if it’s your first time, you should start with a small dab — about the size of half of a grain of rice — until you find your tolerance.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a beginner cannabis user or you’ve taken a break for a while, it’s important to ease your way into, or back into, THC. Follow the tips above for limiting your THC intake until you know how these products will impact you.
