Delta 9 Dosage: How Much THC to Take

Learning to properly dose cannabis products takes practice. It doesn’t become second nature overnight, and even veteran users may notice their ideal dose shifting with time. 

Some cannabinoids may be harder to figure out than others. Delta 9 THC is one of the strongest psychotropic cannabinoids, which means starting slow works best. You can always add to the initial dose—but you can’t go back if you use too much.  You’ve probably heard a tale or two about edibles and day-long highs. 

Yes, experimentation is part of the process. But weed is far less fun when you get the dose wildly wrong. Finding a middle ground is key. 

What is delta 9 THC?

Delta 9 THC is marijuana’s primary active compound. Once its precursor THCA loses an acid group and activates, you’ll find delta 9 in greater quantities than any other cannabinoid in the plant. You can’t get high from marijuana without it. 

Unlike the active cannabinoids most abundant in hemp (CBD, CBC, and CBG), delta 9 THC has a strong binding affinity for CB1 receptors. These sites are found throughout the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The easier it is for a substance to bind to a CB1, the more likely it is to be psychotropic. 

Which brings us to dosing, and why it’s so important to keep tabs on your intake. Larger doses of THC flood the ECS and better stimulate receptors. A 100 mg edible will get you higher than one containing just 10 mg of THC, especially if your tolerance is low or you’re sensitive to THC. 

Dosing hemp-derived delta 9 THC

Hemp-derived delta 9 may sound like the next gimmick of legal cannabis, but that’s not always the case. It’s a clever way for hemp manufacturers to sell delta 9 THC without exceeding the 0.3% dry weight threshold—so yes, it’s probably legal. 

“Dry weight” is the keyword. Seeing as there’s no limit on overall THC dosage, it’s possible to make gummies with several milligrams of delta 9 by adding a lot of candy weight. We can thank the density of edibles for this loophole.

Don’t underestimate these products. Assuming the brand is reputable and third-party verified, hemp-derived THC gummies should be dosed the same as delta 9 gummies from a dispensary—even if the hemp-derived D9 is converted from CBD. That’s often the case, but it doesn’t make the final product any less likely to get you high. Delta 8 THC products are made the same way. 

Just be cautious and know that while it’s unlikely, less-trustworthy brands may sell products containing over the 0.3% THC limit. It’s tricky territory, and the lack of hemp regulations in the U.S. doesn’t help. 

Lastly, while these products are federally legal, certain states are less hemp-friendly than others. Before you buy, check that hemp-derived forms of THC aren’t banned where you live. 

What factors affect delta 9 dose?

Before we get into it, keep in mind that your ideal delta 9 dose could be entirely different from the next person’s. Dosing THC—or any cannabinoid—isn’t an exact science. There are just too many variables at play, including but not limited to:

• Tolerance: THC tolerance changes with time. Frequent users can develop one fast, needing an increasingly large dose to achieve specific effects. The more sensitive you are to THC, the more dopamine the body releases and the higher you get. Consider taking a T-break now and again to refresh your tolerance.
• Metabolism: Metabolic rate influences how quickly your body processes THC. If you have a fast metabolism, you could be prone to shorter-lived highs that come on more quickly. By contrast, a slow metabolism may lead to more prolonged and intense effects. 
• Health conditions: Anything from chronic illness to a seasonal cold can affect how your body responds to substances, THC included. 
• Drug interactions: Other medications can intensify or reduce your high, depending on how they interact with delta 9. Just make sure your supplement or medication hasn’t been linked to adverse interactions. 
• Consumption method: Whether you vape, smoke, take edibles, or use oils and tinctures, can influence THC’s effects. Gummies take longer to metabolize and can trigger longer, more powerful highs, while inhaled forms of THC are less of a waiting game.

Even genetics, body weight, and whether you’ve eaten recently can make a difference. Thanks to tolerance, your perfect delta 9 dose today may look nothing like it will two years from now. 

Take it slow. First-timers should pace themselves and start with a low dose of delta 9 THC, keeping a close eye on how they’re feeling. Be patient and bump up your dose only after the effects have settled in. If you have an adverse reaction, it’ll be easier to intervene before matters get out of hand. 

Delta 9 THC dosage: how many milligrams to take

Dosing looks different based on the form of delta 9 THC you’re using. That’s not even considering human physiology, tolerance, and the other factors mentioned earlier. 

Edibles, oils, and tinctures help keep your dosing as precise as possible—but only to a point. If we’re nitpicking, oral THC is the least bioavailable and your body won’t absorb every milligram. Some will be destroyed by the digestive tract before even reaching the bloodstream. But there’s no way to know exactly how much.

Smoking and vaping have their own quirks. On one hand, it’s hard to gauge exactly how much THC you’re ingesting per puff. At the same time, inhaled delta 9 is rapidly absorbed by lung membranes and is more bioavailable than edibles—so you’ll know more quickly if you consumed too little or too much. Oral THC is the longer-lasting option, though.

Here’s a rough sense of what to expect:

• <2.5 mg: Not everyone needs to start so low, but total beginners can test the waters here. You may notice few to no psychotropic effects—and if you’re a microdoser, that could be exactly what you’re after. While it’s possible to get buzzed with such a small dose, you’d need a very low tolerance for that.
• 2.5 mg-5 mg: Beginners can start here for subtle psychotropic effects, though you may need to increase before long. If you’re sensitive to THC, though, this could be all you need.
• 5 mg-10 mg: What you’re getting per gummy or serving of THC in states with legal marijuana.
• 10 mg-50 mg: This might feel like nothing to frequent users, but don’t start here if you’ve never tried delta 9 THC before. 

To estimate how many milligrams of D9 are in one gram of flower, multiply the strain’s THC percentage by 10: 1 gram of weed that contains 20% THC = 200 mg of the cannabinoid. You’ll want to keep this number in mind when you vape or smoke, or even cook up homemade edibles.

You might be due for a T-break if it takes 50 mg of THC to feel a buzz, although it could also come down to your metabolism. It all depends on the person. 

Tips for dosing delta 9 THC

You can’t always measure THC consumption down to the milligram. What you can do is pay attention to how you’re feeling throughout the session, keeping the following tips in mind: 

• Start low and go slow: Don’t rush if it’s your first time using delta 9 THC, or even your first experience with a new product. It’s better to start with a small dose and feel nothing than to take way too much. Only bump up your dose after the effects hit (which can be a two-hour wait if you’re using edibles).
• Understand the product: You might be able to dig up feedback on a specific product, but if not, at least get familiar with the type. Remember, oral and inhaled forms of THC don’t work the same way.
• Give yourself time: Until you’ve tried a particular dose, you never know how hard it’ll hit you or how long the effects will last. Don’t experiment under a time crunch.
• Talk to your doctor: If you’re on any medication, you’ll want to know how delta 9 interacts. Other substances can amplify THC’s effects, and vice versa. 

Also, check the certificate of analysis (COA) for all hemp-derived delta 9 products—it’s the only reliable way to know how much THC they contain. Stay away from brands that fail to publish COAs. Third-party testing isn’t a requirement for hemp sellers, unlike for legal, state-regulated marijuana.