Every year it seems edibles are becoming more popular. Widespread legalization and acceptance of weed no doubt has something to do with that. But there's more to it than that. These very tasty treats provide a unique cannabis experience and eliminate the need to spark up your bong. Even if it's a beautiful custom bong. But edibles can be potent so you need to know what is the right amount to eat at any one time. In this post, the team at the Puffr wholesale smoke shop looks into the issue of edible dosages.
The Importance of Finding the Right Edible Dosage
Edibles appeal to a wide swath of cannabis connoisseurs, but if you ask a hundred of them about edibles you'll probably discover a good many had some uncomfortable experiences the first couple of times they tried them. That's because edibles tend to be considerably more potent than the flower you burn in the bowl of your customized bong. If you eat too many you could wind up like Mark Wahlberg in Ted, clinging to the wall begging someone to help you get home. Below we'll provide some guidance to help you find just the right dosage for you.

What is the Right Potency to Start With?
Low dose edibles of 1-5 mg per serving are an ideal starting point for those just getting to know edibles. To be sure, different people will have different reactions even to that size dose. But none of those reactions should push anyone over the edge. If that dosage doesn't do anything for you we'd recommend increasing the dosage by 5 mg to 10 mg. Or if you can't find a 10 mg edible, take two 5 mg edibles.
If 10 mg still isn't doing it for you try increasing the amount by 5 mg per session, and don't be alarmed if you don't start feeling anything until you hit 20 mg or more. Everyone is different. Whatever you do, however, don't get impatient with the process. Keep in mind it might take as much as an hour, or even 90 minutes, before the edibles kick in. So if you don't feel anything after 30 - 60 minutes don't just eat more. Wait. Also, regardless of whether you feel something or not you should wait 24 hours before eating more edibles.
What is the Correct Edible Dosage?
It's a question as old as edibles themselves and not one with a one-size-fits-all answer. In other words, each person needs to find the dosage that works for them. This can be a disconcerting process if you go about it the wrong way. The right way is to start with a low dose and gradually work your way up until you find your happy place. That usually means that at some point you'll have to go beyond your comfort zone and then backtrack. But because you're cranking things up a little at a time you should never get too far over the edge.
To help provide a clearer picture of how different edible doses affect the body, the table below outlines common THC dosage ranges, their typical effects, and which groups of users each range is most suited for. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and individual reactions can vary greatly depending on tolerance, metabolism, and prior cannabis experience.
THC Dose (mg) | Effects | Who It's For |
---|---|---|
1–2.5 (Microdose) | Mild relief from pain, stress, or anxiety; subtle focus/creativity boost; usually no intoxication. | Beginners, microdosers, or those seeking minimal effects. |
3–5 (Low) | Stronger symptom relief with mild euphoria; may impair perception or coordination. | Casual recreational users or those seeking sleep aid or symptom management. |
10–15 (Moderate) | Noticeable euphoria and symptom relief; impaired coordination; altered perception. | Experienced users and many medical patients. |
20–30 (High) | Strong euphoria with significant impairment; higher chance of negative side effects. | High-tolerance consumers or patients with greater needs. |
50–100 (Very High) | Heavy intoxication; strong impairment; increased risk of nausea, anxiety, or rapid heart rate. | Very experienced users or patients under medical supervision. |
100–500 (Extremely High) | Intense effects with high likelihood of unpleasant reactions; overwhelming for most. | Only for extremely tolerant users or under strict medical guidance. |
These ranges provide a useful starting point, but your personal “sweet spot” may be higher or lower. Always start small, wait for the full effect to set in, and adjust gradually to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Where Do You Get Edibles?
It wasn't all that long ago that you couldn't buy pre-made edibles, meaning people had to make their own. Because most of the cannabis chefs of the day were playing things by ear unsuspecting friends and acquaintances often got a bigger kick than they expected from the pot brownies, which were without a doubt the most popular type of edible at the time. Today, however, we don't have to leave things to chance. There are scores of places now that sell pre-made edibles with their THC content clearly stated on the label. This can be an enormous help to newbies.
Should You Eat Before You Consume Edibles?
This may seem like a very strange question - "should I eat before I eat" - but it's actually a question well worth asking. After polling all our experts here at the Puffr wholesale head shop we've concluded that the best time to consume edibles is about midway between your normal meals. That's because regular food can interfere with the way your body processes the THC in the pot brownie or whatever edible you've chosen.
For instance, if you eat something high in fat and then consume an edible the effects of the edible can be magnified. And that's not a great thing, especially if you're feeling your way trying to figure out the optimal dosage for you. You should also let your body fully digest the edible before you eat something else. If you don't you may undermine the munchies. And munchies are part of the fun.
How Long Can You Expect the Effect From Edibles to Last?
Edibles involve the digestive system and the metabolism. And everyone's metabolism is slightly different. Even within a family, there may be one person with a really slow metabolism and another one with a really fast one. So it's hard to pin down exactly how long the effect from edibles might last. Body mass also plays a role in determining how long your edibles buzz will last.
But regardless of whether you have a slow or fast metabolism or something in between and whether you are slim, average or overweight, you can expect the buzz to last considerably longer than the buzz you'd get from a joint or from your custom bong because it takes the THC longer to reach your bloodstream through your stomach and it also tends to linger longer in your blood when ingested this way.
“While edibles take a long time to kick in compared with smoking or vaping, they also tend to last much longer. The average dose from an edible can last 6 or more hours, with the strongest effects occurring about 3 hours after ingestion.”
Medical News Today
So just how long will it last? The answer is that while the buzz from a bong might peak after 20-30 minutes and be largely gone after 60 - 90 minutes the buzz from edibles will just be kicking in at that time. Once it does kick in you can expect the buzz to last at least 3 - 5 hours, and perhaps as long as 10. If you have a drug test scheduled and are wondering how long edible THC stays in your system, check out this video.
Visit the Puffr Wholesale Head Shop for all Your Cannabis Needs
Edibles are enjoying unprecedented popularity, but if you've never tried them before you should practice a bit of caution when you're just starting out. Take your time and begin with edibles with low THC content, then gradually work your way up until you find the perfect buzz for you. Just remember to be patient because the edible buzz is a slo-mo one compared to bongs or joints.
And for all your cannabis needs make sure to stop by the Puffr smoke shop in Denver for beautiful customized glass pipes and everything else you need to perfect your cannabis practice. We're open 7 days a week. If you have questions feel free to call us at 1 (888) 316-4572 or email us at contact@puffr.com.