Edibles · 6 min read

Edibles dosing: start low, go slow

Edibles are easy to love and easy to overdo. Here’s how dosing works, why they take so long to kick in and a simple plan for a comfortable experience.

Edibles are one of the most approachable ways to enjoy cannabis — no smoke, tasty and easy to dose precisely. They’re also the format people most often overdo, almost always for the same reason: they kick in slowly, so it’s tempting to take more before the first dose has arrived. A little patience makes all the difference.

How edibles are measured

Edibles are dosed in milligrams (mg) of THC per piece, and the package always lists it. A gummy might be 5mg or 10mg each; a chocolate bar is usually scored into evenly dosed squares. New York caps a single retail package at 100mg total, divided into clearly marked servings, so it’s easy to know exactly how much you’re taking.

Why they take so long

When you eat cannabis, it’s processed through your digestive system and liver before you feel much — which is why onset can take anywhere from about 30 minutes to two hours. The effects also tend to last longer than inhaled formats. That delay is the whole reason for the golden rule.

Start low, go slow

• If you’re new: many people start around 2.5–5mg.
• Wait a full two hours before deciding whether to take more. This is the step people skip — don’t.
• Only then adjust. Next time, nudge the amount up or down based on how the first session actually felt.

Because a single square or gummy is already a measured dose, it’s simple to take exactly the amount you intend — no guesswork. Picking that first number is the part people find hardest, and being walked through it patiently is a theme that runs through what customers say about their visits. Look for products labeled low-dose or “microdose” if you want to ease in gently, and ask which package has the smallest dose per piece.

A few practical tips

• Have a snack first; taking an edible on a totally empty stomach can change how quickly it hits.
• Give yourself an open evening the first time, rather than a night with somewhere to be.
• Store edibles sealed, cool and well out of reach of kids and pets — they look like ordinary treats.
• Don’t mix formats while you wait. Stacking a second edible (or something else) on top of a dose that hasn’t arrived is the usual culprit behind an uncomfortable night.

If you take too much

Overdoing an edible can be unpleasant — but the discomfort passes with time. Find a calm spot, hydrate and wait it out. Planning your dose sensibly from the start is the easiest way to avoid the situation entirely.

Ready to browse? See our edibles, or ask a budtender to point you toward a good low-dose option to start with.

Educational information only, not medical advice. Cannabis is for adults 21+. Keep out of reach of children. Please enjoy responsibly.