A Contextual Guide to Consuming THC

A Contextual Guide to Consuming THC

Most people are looking for a specific effect when consuming a cannabis product. However, it’s important not to treat cannabis like a pharmaceutical drug. It will often take some self-experimentation to figure out what works best for you to achieve the result you are looking for.

From consumption method to mood and setting, there are many factors involved in  how we feel after taking a dose of Cannabinoids (e.g. THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.). Instead of attempting to establish a one-size-fits all for consuming cannabis products, a contextual approach, one that focuses on the consumer versus the product, is likely more appropriate.

Let’s explore our decision-making matrices to find what find of cannabis product might work best for you. View the mobile-friendly version

Our Contextual Guide to Consuming Cannabis

First, let's establish your baseline:

ARE YOU NEW TO CANNABIS OR EXPERIENCED?

ARE YOU NEW TO CANNABIS...
I'M NEW
I'M NEW
IN BETWEEN
IN BETWEEN
I'M EXPERIENCED
I'M EXPERIENCED

Welcome!

You’ll enjoy our guide to using Cannabis.

Welcome!...

Great!

You’ve tried a few different consumption methods and Cannabinoid potencies and you have started to narrow down what works for you. Our guide will further inform you on your journey.

 

Great!...

Right on.

You know exactly what you like and how much you need at any given time to achieve the effects you’re looking for.

 

Right on....
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Next, let's learn more about how you're feeling today and how you'd like to feel:

HOW WOULD YOU

LIKE TO FEEL?

HOW WOULD YOU...
I would like to feel
I would like to feel...
I would like to feel
I would like to feel...
I would like to
I would like to...
I'm sensitive to THC
I'm sensitive t...
I don't mind getting a little high
I don't mind ge...

Try a low dose of THC and high dose of CBD for more calming effects.

Try a low dose of...

Higher doses of THC may be more stimulating than you'd like. For a mellow experience take THC in lower doses.

Higher doses of TH...
I usually take a
low dose of THC
I usually take a...

I don't mind

taking a high

dose of THC

I don't mind...
A low dose of THC will generally have mild effects. If you're looking for more stimulation try  a higher dose.
A low dose of THC wil...
A larger dose of THC will stimulate the brain receptors more, which will increase the euphoric effects of THC. If you're already in a good mood a higher dose of THC will usually enhance what you're already feeling.
A larger dose of THC will st...
I prefer taking  edibles
I prefer taking...

I prefer

smoking/

vaping

I prefer...

Most people will feel strong effects of THC after ingesting 10-20mg. Start there and work your way up.

Most people will...
Smoke a whole joint, take a few bong hits, or puff on your vape until desired effects are achieved :)
Smoke a whole joint,...

HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW?

HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIG...
I'm feeling a little tired
I'm feeling a little ti...
I'm feeling anxious/restless
I'm feeling anxious/rest...
I'm ready to have
some fun!
I'm ready to have...

I would like to be sleepy

I would like...

I need a pick-me-up

I need a pic...

Drowsiness is a common adverse effect of consuming THC. After feeling high” you may feel more tired. You can also try a high dose of CBD for relaxation or CBN for more drowsiness.

Drowsiness is often a...

Consider consuming caffeine along with THC or a low THC edible with sugar.

Consider consu...

THC usually makes me feel more relaxed

THC usually mak...

THC usually makes my mind race

THC usually mak...

Consider balancing your THC consumption with CBD or CBG for enhanced relaxation.

Consider balancing yo...

Higher doses of THC tend to bring on adverse effects such as anxiety or paranoia. Take lower doses of THC when you are feeling stressed and try balancing with higher doses of CBD and CBG.

Higher doses of THC tend to...

Lower doses of THC are more suitable for me

Lower doses of T...

I can tolerate high doses of THC and still have fun

I can tolerate...

Microdose THC for a functional and social high.

Microdose THC for...

Consume responsibly ;)

Consume responsi...
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Let's consider how strong you'd like the effects to be and the onset time of Cannabinoids based on your consumption method:

HOW SOON WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEEL
THE EFFECTS?
HOW SOON WOULD YOU LIKE...
Right away!
Right away!
I don't mind waiting for
it to kick in
I don't mind waiting for...
These consumption methods will have the fastest onset time:
 
1. Inhaling (smoking or vaping)
2. Edible/beverage with nano-sized particle infusion
These consumption methods will h...
Look for cannabis flowers, pre-rolled joints, or vape cartridges for inhaling.
 
Look for “fast acting” edibles that dissolve in your mouth and contain a nanosized formulation.
Look for cannabis flowers, pre-roll...
These consumption methods will have a slower onset time:
 
1. Infused oils taken orally 
2. Most edibles
These consumption methods will h...
Look for cannabis oils and edibles made for ingestion.
Look for cannabis oils and...

HOW INTENSE WOULD YOU LIKE

THE EFFECTS TO BE?

HOW INTENSE WOULD YOU L...
Very mild, with little to no adverse effects
Very mild, with little to...
Mild effects with slight intoxication
Mild effects with slight i...
Intense. I want to feel
very HIGH
Intense. I want to feel ve...
Very intense. I’m
comfortable with a strong change in perception
Very intense. I’m...

Look for “microdose”
edibles (2-5mg)

Look for high CBD
(15-18%) flowers

Consider consuming an oil with a higher dose of CBD and trace amounts of THC

Consider microdosing with a THC ingestible oil
Look for “microdose” edibles (...

Look for edibles with 5-10mg THC

Look for low THC
(5-8%) flowers

Take small puffs of a

Consider microdosing with a THC ingestible oil
Look for edibles with 5-1...

Try taking a few
10mg THC edibles

Look for high THC (20%) flowers

Smoke a whole joint or blunt/Use a bong

Take many puffs of
a THC vape

Try smoking hash or kief
Try taking a few 10mg THC...

Try taking multiple 25mg THC edibles

Look for high THC (20%+) flowers

Try dabbing cannabis concentrates

Incorporate high doses of CBD, CBG, and CBN for enhanced effects
Try taking multiple 25mg T...
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Let's learn more about your THC tolerance, in other words your level of sensitivity to THC and experience with adverse effects:

HOW’S YOUR THC SENSITIVITY?
HOW’S YOUR THC SENSITIVI...
High sensitivity
High sensitivity
Average sensitivity
Average sensitivity

Medium to low

sensitivity

Medium to low...
Ingesting a small (<5mg) amount of THC results in pleasant effects for me
Ingesting a small (<5...
Inhaling THC (smoking/vaping) results in intense effects for me
Inhaling THC (smoking...

Look for “microdose” edibles (2-5mg)

Look for “microdo...

Look for low THC (5-8%) flowers

Look for low THC (...
Ingesting a medium amount (10-20mg) of THC results in pleasant effects for me. I feel comfortable after smoking most THC flowers but occasionally feel overwhelmed
Ingesting a medium a...
Ingesting a medium amount (30-50mg) of THC results in pleasant effects for me and potential adverse effects are tolerable
Ingesting a medium...
Look for 10mg edibles or try balanced THC flowers with 10-15% THC and some CBD
Look for 10mg edibles...
Look for 25mg edibles and higher potency edibles
Look for 25mg e...
I enjoy smoking high potency (THC) weed
I enjoy smoking...
Research is still developing but one hypothesis is that people with overactive enzymes in their digestive system break down THC into a non-intoxicating compound very quickly and therefore do not intensely feel the intoxicating effects of THC.
Research is still developing but o...

The selection is usually vast! Enjoy

The selectio...
It might be best to stick with inhaling. Look for highly-concentrated oils for ingestion (e.g. RSO) or try to make your own high potency edibles.
It might be best to stick with...
Low sensitivity when ingesting. Eating a high dose of THC does not affect me very much
Low sensitivity when ingestin...
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ADVERSE EFFECTS?
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE...
I frequently experience adverse effects like anxiety, drowsiness, and increased heart rate often when consuming THC
I frequently experience...
I experience adverse effects sometimes when consuming THC
I experience adverse eff...
I experience little to no adverse effects when consuming THC (at normal doses)
I experience little to...
Start with a lower dose of THC and use higher doses of CBD to help counteract the less desirable effects of THC.
 
 Consider consuming Delta 8 THC, which stimulates your brain receptors less than Delta 9 THC.
Start with a lower dose of THC...
Seek out more balanced cannabis varieties with lower THC concentration for milder yet pleasant effects.
 
Consume cannabinoids like CBD and CBG along with THC for a more holistic experience.
Seek out more balanced cannabis...
You’re lucky! Stay elevated and take good care of those neurotransmitters.
You’re lucky! Stay el...
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Finally, how important is it for you to know your dosage?

HOW IMPORTANT IS KNOWING YOUR

DOSE?

HOW IMPORTANT IS KNOWIN...
Very important. I would like to consume a specific dose
Very important. I wo...
Somewhat important. As long as it’s in the ballpark I’m comfortable with some variance
Somewhat important. As...
Not important. I might have an idea of my dose but mostly go off intuition to achieve the effects I enjoy
Not important. I might hav...
These consumption methods will have the highest degree of dosing accuracy:
 
 
 
Look for edibles that offer consistently accurate doses and use a calibrated dropper for dosing oils.
These consumption methods...
These consumption methods will have a lower degree of dosing accuracy:
 
1. Inhalation
 
 
You can get a rough estimate of your dose by weighing out your flower when consuming. Vaporizing technology is still advancing.
These consumption methods wi...
It sounds like you have some experience! You don’t always know your dose and you’re comfortable pushing the limits. You also may not experience strong adverse effects if you “overdo it”.
It sounds like you have some e...
Check out pop-up events and look for vendors outside of the state-regulated commercial market. The world is your oyster. Have fun!
Check out pop-up events and...
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