Cannabis affects everyone differently — your body, your tolerance and the format all change how a dose feels. The safest way to find your sweet spot is to start with a small amount, wait, and adjust from there. This guide gives you the numbers to start from.
Start low, go slow — the golden rule
Take a low dose, wait to feel the full effect, and only then decide whether to take more. You can always take more — you can't take less. This one habit prevents the vast majority of uncomfortable experiences, especially with edibles.
THC dose guide
NEW HERE? START IN THE 2.5–5 MG RANGE
2.5 mg
Micro
5 mg
Low
10 mg
Standard
20 mg+
Experienced
| LEVEL | THC | WHAT IT FEELS LIKE | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | 1–2.5 mg | Subtle: a clear-headed lift and mild relief | First-timers, daytime, functional use |
| Low | 2.5–5 mg | Mild euphoria and relaxation | Beginners — a great starting point |
| Standard | 10 mg | Noticeable euphoria and body effects | Regular consumers |
| Experienced | 20 mg+ | Intense — strong effects and impaired coordination | Experienced users only |
Micro 1–2.5 mg
Subtle: a clear-headed lift and mild relief
Low 2.5–5 mg
Mild euphoria and relaxation
Standard 10 mg
Noticeable euphoria and body effects
Experienced 20 mg+
Intense — strong effects and impaired coordination
Dosing by format
The mg guide above is for THC — but each format is measured and timed differently. Here's how to start with each.
| FORMAT | BEGINNER DOSE | WAIT BEFORE MORE | HOW TO MEASURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edibles | 2.5–5 mg per piece | 2 hours | Read the mg on the package |
| Oils & Tinctures | 2.5–5 mg per dropper | 45–60 min | Use the dropper markings, under the tongue |
| Flower | One small puff | 5–10 min | Eyeball it — one gentle inhale |
| Vapes | One short draw | 1–2 min | Eyeball it — a 2–3 second pull |
| Concentrates | A rice-grain amount | A few minutes | Keep it tiny — far stronger than flower |
| CBD | 10–25 mg per serving | As needed | Read the mg on the label |
Edibles 2.5–5 mg per piece
Wait 2 hours · Read the mg on the package
Oils & Tinctures 2.5–5 mg per dropper
Wait 45–60 min · Use dropper markings, under the tongue
Flower One small puff
Wait 5–10 min · Eyeball it — one gentle inhale
Vapes One short draw
Wait 1–2 min · Eyeball it — a 2–3 second pull
Concentrates A rice-grain amount
Wait a few minutes · Keep it tiny — far stronger than flower
CBD 10–25 mg per serving
As needed · Read the mg on the label
How every product is labelled
Every product on Pot Cargo carries the same at-a-glance tags, so you can match it to your dose and experience level before you buy.
Experience level
Signal bars for how strong and forgiving a product is. New here? Stick to Beginner.
Dosage
5 mg THC22% THC
mg of THC for edibles, oils and CBD; % THC for flower, vapes and concentrates.
Type
INDICASATIVAHYBRIDCBD
Strain family and vibe — Indica calming, Sativa energising, Hybrid balanced, CBD no high.
Effect
SleepRelaxPain ReliefEnergy
The outcome a product leans toward — match it to the goal you're after.
Experience level
BEGINNER · INTERMEDIATE · ADVANCED
Dosage
5 MG THC · 22% THC
Type
INDICA · SATIVA · HYBRID · CBD
Effect
SLEEP · RELAX · RELIEF · ENERGY
THC vs CBD & ratios
THC is what gets you high; CBD doesn't, and can soften THC's edge. Products list a THC:CBD ratio to tell you what to expect.
CBD-only (0 THC)
No high at all — calm and relief. The safest place to start.
Balanced (1:1)
CBD softens THC's edge — gentle, functional and forgiving.
THC-forward
The classic high. More euphoric and potent — dose carefully.
Your first-timer's dosing plan
- Pick a gentle format — an edible, an oil, or CBD.
- Take a low dose: 2.5–5 mg THC (or 10–25 mg CBD).
- Wait. Two full hours for edibles; 15 minutes for anything inhaled.
- Check in with how you feel before deciding to take more.
- Stay hydrated, comfortable and unhurried — set and setting matter.
If you take too much
You'll feel uncomfortable — anxious, dizzy or drowsy — but you're not in danger; a THC overdose isn't fatal. Find a calm space, sip water, have a snack, and rest. It passes within a few hours. Plain black-pepper or a CBD dose can help take the edge off. Starting low is how you avoid it altogether.