Figuring out the right dose of THC edibles is the single most important decision you will make as a cannabis consumer. Take too little and you might not feel anything. Take too much and you could spend several uncomfortable hours waiting for the effects to wear off. This edibles dosing chart breaks down every milligram tier so you can find the sweet spot for your body, your tolerance, and your goals.
Every edible sold at Quality Control Dispensary Brooklyn and QCD Staten Island is lab-tested and clearly labeled with the exact THC content per serving. Our budtenders can help you choose the right edibles dose whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned cannabis consumer looking to fine-tune your experience.
THC Edibles Dosing Chart
Use this dosing chart as a general guide for cannabis edibles. Individual responses to edibles vary based on tolerance, body chemistry, and many other factors. When in doubt, always start at the lower end of a range.
Microdose: 1-2.5mg THC
Best for: First-time cannabis users, people with very low tolerance, those seeking subtle mood enhancement without a noticeable high. At this level, edibles provide gentle relaxation, mild focus improvement, and slight stress relief. Many people microdose marijuana edibles during the workday or before social events. You should not feel impaired at this dose. This is the lowest tier on any weed edibles dosing chart, and it is a great place to start if you have never consumed cannabis in any form.
Low Dose: 2.5-5mg THC
Best for: Beginners, occasional consumers, and people who want clear-headed effects. This is the standard starting dose recommended by most dispensary budtenders. Cannabis edibles at this level produce noticeable relaxation, mild euphoria, and enhanced sensory experiences. You will likely feel the edibles working, but you should still feel in control. Most gummies at QCD can be halved to reach this range - a single 5mg Camino gummy is a textbook low-dose edible.
Moderate Dose: 5-15mg THC
Best for: Regular cannabis consumers and people who have already established their baseline with lower doses of edibles. At this level, THC edibles produce stronger euphoria, more significant pain relief, and deeper relaxation. Coordination and perception are noticeably altered. This is where most regular edibles consumers settle for recreational use. If you regularly consume weed edibles, this tier likely feels familiar and comfortable.
High Dose: 15-30mg THC
Best for: Experienced cannabis users with established tolerance. Marijuana edibles at this dosage produce strong euphoria, significant body effects, and potential for couch-lock. Not recommended for social settings unless you know exactly how this dose affects you. Many daily cannabis consumers find their preferred spot somewhere in this range for evening relaxation or sleep support.
Very High Dose: 30-50mg THC
Best for: Highly experienced consumers with significant tolerance built from regular edibles use. Effects include intense euphoria, strong body sensation, and significantly altered perception. Cannabis edibles at this level can last 8 hours or longer. Only consumers who have gradually worked up to this level should consider this range.
Expert Dose: 50mg+ THC
Best for: Very experienced daily consumers and medical patients with high tolerance. THC edibles at this level produce extremely strong effects that can last 10-12 hours. This tier is not appropriate for recreational users or anyone without extensive edibles experience. Approaching edibles at this level without adequate tolerance can result in a deeply uncomfortable experience.
Remember: you can always take more edibles, but you cannot take less. If you are between tiers, always start with the lower amount. Give each dose a full 2 hours to develop before deciding whether to take more cannabis edibles.
Factors That Affect Your Edibles Dose
Two people can take the exact same dose of THC edibles and have completely different experiences. Here are the major factors that determine how edibles affect you:
Body Weight
Larger bodies generally require higher doses of edibles to achieve the same effects, though this is not a strict rule. Body fat percentage matters too - THC is fat-soluble, so it is absorbed and stored differently depending on your body composition. This is one reason edibles dosing charts should be treated as starting points rather than prescriptions.
Metabolism
People with faster metabolisms tend to process cannabis edibles more quickly, resulting in faster onset and potentially shorter duration. Slower metabolisms may mean longer waits before feeling the effects of edibles, but the effects may also last longer. Your metabolic rate is one of the biggest variables in how weed edibles hit you.
Cannabis Tolerance
If you use cannabis regularly (smoking, vaping, or eating edibles), your endocannabinoid system adapts and you will need higher doses to achieve the same effects. A daily flower smoker who tries edibles for the first time may need a higher starting dose than someone completely new to cannabis. However, edibles tolerance and inhalation tolerance do not always correlate perfectly because of the different metabolic pathways involved.
Empty vs. Full Stomach
Eating marijuana edibles on an empty stomach typically results in faster onset and potentially stronger effects because there is less food competing for absorption. Taking edibles after a large meal can significantly delay onset - sometimes by an hour or more. A light snack about 30 minutes before consuming edibles tends to produce the most predictable timing.
Fat Content of Food
THC is fat-soluble, meaning it binds to and is absorbed through fats. Consuming cannabis edibles alongside fatty foods can increase absorption and potentially intensify effects. This is why edibles made with butter or oil (like brownies) sometimes feel stronger than gummies - the fat content helps your body process the THC more efficiently.
How to Cut Gummies for Precise Dosing
One of the best things about THC gummies is that they are easy to divide for lower doses. If you buy a pack of 5mg edibles and want to start at 2.5mg, simply cut a gummy in half. Here are some tips for clean, accurate cuts:
- Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors - dull blades crush the gummy instead of cutting it cleanly
- If the gummy is too soft or sticky, place it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes first
- Cut on a clean cutting board - do not try to cut gummies in your hand
- For quarter-doses (1.25mg from a 5mg gummy), cut in half first, then cut each half again
- Store unused portions in the original packaging or a sealed container away from heat and light
Many of the cannabis edibles brands we carry at QCD, including Camino, Ayrloom, and Find!, offer gummies that are easy to split evenly.
Why Edibles Affect Everyone Differently
Beyond the factors listed above, there is a significant genetic component to how your body processes THC edibles. The enzymes in your liver that convert delta-9 THC to 11-hydroxy-THC (the CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes) vary in activity from person to person. Some people are naturally efficient processors who convert THC quickly and feel edibles intensely. Others are slow processors who may need higher doses of cannabis edibles to achieve similar effects.
This genetic variability is one reason why edibles dosing charts are guidelines, not guarantees. Your friend might feel great on 5mg of weed edibles while you barely notice the same dose, or vice versa. The only way to find your ideal edibles dose is to start low, track your experiences, and adjust gradually over multiple sessions.
When to Increase Your Edibles Dose
If you have tried cannabis edibles at a given dose on at least 2-3 separate occasions and consistently feel that the effects are too mild, it may be time to increase. Here is a safe approach to moving up:
- Increase by no more than 2.5-5mg at a time
- Try the new dose on a day when you have no obligations
- Wait the full 2 hours before evaluating effects
- Keep notes on what you took, when, and how you felt
- Do not increase again until you have tried the new dose at least twice
NYC Edible Regulations
In New York State, adult-use cannabis edibles are regulated by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Key rules that affect what you will find at QCD Brooklyn edibles and QCD Staten Island edibles:
- Maximum per package: 100mg of THC per retail edibles package
- Maximum per serving: 10mg of THC per individual serving or piece
- Lab testing required: All edibles must pass potency and contaminant testing
- Child-resistant packaging: All cannabis edibles must be sold in child-resistant, resealable packaging
- Clear labeling: THC content per serving and per package must be clearly printed
These regulations mean that every edible you purchase at Quality Control Dispensary has been tested, accurately labeled, and packaged safely. You can trust that a 5mg gummy truly contains 5mg of THC.
Shop Edibles at Quality Control Dispensary
Browse our full edibles selection below. We carry gummies, chocolates, mints, and beverages from trusted brands including Camino, Ayrloom, WYLD, Find!, Dime, and House of Sacci. All edibles are priced with tax included.
Need help choosing the right dose? Visit us at 3169 Coney Island Ave in Brooklyn or 1172 Victory Blvd in Staten Island and ask a budtender. You can also order edibles for same-day delivery.