We all have different metabolisms and tolerance levels, this means that the ideal dosage will be different for everyone. To establish what dosage is right for you, start with a microdose like a 5mg edible, wait an hour and then evaluate how you feel.

Remember that edibles need to go through your digestive system first, before they are absorbed into your blood, as opposed to smoking cannabis, which comes into contact with blood vessels in the lungs much faster.

If you don’t feel anything, you can add another 5mg, wait another hour and then evaluate how you feel. You can always add more, but you can’t "un-eat" what you’ve eaten.

Between 5 – 10mg is normally enough for most people. About 3% of the population are extremely sensitive to THC and might experience paranoia. Those that are more sensitive to THC have better experiences with very low dosages (1 – 5mg) or CBD products.

It depends on your tolerance level. Dosages are measured in mg of cannabis content. If you have not used cannabis before, the rule is to “start low and go slow”. “Start low” refers to a 1 – 5mg dosage and “go slow” refers to a waiting time of at least an hour before you consume more.

CBD (without THC): 5 – 10mg dosages, two to three times a day (recommended 20mg in total for the day). CBD without THC is recommended for anxiety during the day when you need to focus and function. It should take the edge off and help to reduce your stress, helping to achieve a productive state.

Full spectrum (with THC):

1 – 5mg: Recommended for first-time users or people with low tolerance levels. You can expect better sleep and relief of mild pain, stress and anxiety.

5 – 15mg: As your tolerance levels increase, you can increase your dosage. You can expect stronger relief of pain, stress and anxiety. This dosage has been recommended for people who struggle with sleep.

15 – 30mg: Recommended for well-seasoned consumers and people with developed tolerance levels. If you are not used to cannabis, this might be too much and you may experience negative effects. This dosage may impair co-ordination and will have a strong effect.

30 – 50mg: Recommended for those with a significant tolerance level (normally regular cannabis smokers). This dosage is likely to impair co-ordination. You may experience a very strong effect.

50 – 100mg: Recommended for experienced THC consumers only. This dosage is highly likely to impair co-ordination. It may cause negative side-effects like rapid heart rate and nausea.

Some consumers that are new to cannabis might not feel anything for the first 1 – 3 tries. This may be because there are not enough CB1 and CB2 receptors. Try the same low dosage three times with 8 to 24 hours between trials before increasing. Options for those that are unable to absorb cannabis through the stomach lining include letting cannabis products rest under the tongue or via the lungs (smoking).

The duration of cannabis products in your system can vary and depends on the dosage, your metabolism and your tolerance level. If the recommended dosage for your tolerance level was taken, the effects can last between 4 to 8 hours, peaking at about 3 to 4 hours after consumption.

Drug tests normally only test for THC (the psychoactive component), not CBD (which is non-psychoactive). The results will also depend on which test is done and the individual's usage level (regularity and dosage).

Cannabis Detection Timeframes

Blood or Saliva: Up to 12 hours after use, but has been detected for up to 30 days in heavy use cases.

Urine: Depends on usage.

Single use - 3 days

Daily use - Up to 30 days.

Chronic Use (Multiple times per day) - More than 30 days after last consumption.

Hair: Up to 90 days after last consumption

Full Spectrum Cannabis (THC included): Similar to alcohol – the more you take, the more intoxicated you will become. Different dosage strengths (eg. 10mg, 50mg, 100mg) could be compared to different alcohol strengths and tolerance levels (e.g. beer, wine, whiskey).

There are two strains of cannabis, Indica and Sativa. They each have slightly different effects (see “What is the difference between Indica and Sativa?”). A hybrid is normally a mix between Indica and Sativa and may have effects of both. Full spectrum cannabis is sometimes also labelled as CBD Plus.

Broad Spectrum CBD (THC excluded): Similar to Rescue drops - a more relaxing and calming effect. CBD is non-psychoactive and won’t make you feel intoxicated. It is great for daytime use when you need to focus, while still maintaining a feeling of calm. CBD may take the edge off and help with anxiety, but won’t make you feel the same way THC does.

Indica has a sedating effect, assiting in sleep and pain relief. Indicia is generally described as having more of a relaxing, body effect. An easy phrase to remember the effects of Indica is, “In The Couch”.

Sativa has an uplifting effect, assisting in tackling depression and enhancing creativity. Sativa is generally described as having more of an energetic, head effect. An easy way to remember the effects of Sativa is, “S for Social and Silly”.

Both of them may give you a slightly intoxicated feeling, similar to drinking a glass of wine. If you consume too high of a dosage, you may experience "The Greenies”. This is a feeling similar to sea sickness, you may feel dizzy and nauseous, comparable to having had too much to drink.

Note:
If you do experience The Greenies, do your best to relax and take it easy. Sip some water and remember that it will pass in time.

Always consult a medical professional before taking cannabis with other medication. In some instances, the two need to be taken seperatley, at different times of the day. You can research online what the interactions and/or side-effects between the specific medications and cannabis will be.

It is always better not to mix substances like cannabis and alcohol. Cannabis will increase the effect of alcohol, and so it is best not to use alcohol and cannabis together. To be safe, drink less than you would normally if also taking cannabis.

Cannabis is not addictive, but is habit-forming. This means that if you decide to stop using cannabis, you should not experience any withdrawal symptoms.

It is best not to travel with cannabis, especially if you are travelling overseas. Cannabis is illegal in some countries and you are at risk of imprisonment even in countries where you have a layover on your way to your end destination. It is not worth the risk to go to prison in a foreign country for the sake of an edible.