· 2 min read
Start Low, Go Slow: A Straight Guide to Edible Dosing
Edibles hit later, last longer and feel stronger than smoking. Here’s how to dose them so the night goes the way you planned.
Edibles are the one format where a little patience changes everything. Swallowed THC takes a longer road through the body than smoked or vaped THC, which is why edibles come on slowly, last for hours and can feel much stronger than the milligrams suggest.
Why edibles feel different
When you eat THC, your liver converts much of it into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound that reaches the brain easily and hits harder. The effect usually starts 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and can last six hours or more, with a lingering tail after that.
The house dosing rules
- Start at 2.5–5 mg of THC if you’re new or it’s been a while. A single edible serving in Michigan is capped at 10 mg — often more than a beginner needs.
- Wait two full hours before taking more. “I don’t feel anything yet” is the most common setup for an uncomfortable night.
- Eat a normal meal first. Food can smooth out how an edible comes on.
- Skip the alcohol, at least until you know how edibles treat you.
- Write it down. Note the product, the dose and how it felt — next time you’ll know exactly what to reach for.
Reading the package
Every edible lists THC per serving and per package. A 100 mg package of ten 10 mg gummies is ten servings, not one. If a gummy or chocolate is scored, halving or quartering it is the easiest way to get to a beginner dose. More on labels in our label guide.
If you take too much
Too much THC is unpleasant but rarely dangerous for healthy adults. Find somewhere calm and comfortable, drink water, eat a snack and remind yourself it will pass — it always does. Some people find a nap helps. If you or someone with you feels seriously unwell, call for medical help or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Start low, go slow, write it down — and keep edibles locked up, away from kids and pets.
