Proper dosing with cannabis

Posted byEric

It is possible to medicate with cannabis without becoming intoxicated. Beyond intoxication, when patients feel they have over-medicated with cannabis it is almost always because of the negative side effects of THC. It is often extremely uncomfortable. That said, even the most mild side-effects can be undesirable. As such, it is important to find the correct dose.

Here at Lit Naturals, we feel like the perfect dose is the minimal dose that has the desired effect. This keeps patient tolerance low and requires the patient to consume less to get the desired effect, thus saving money. Yes, you heard us right, we want you to spend less. This is best for the patient, and here at Lit Naturals our patients’ welfare is our top priority.

First and foremost, it is best to choose an option that includes both THC and CBD. The two have synergistic effects (work better together), which is great for symptom relief. Moreover, CBD has the added benefit of moderating the negative side-effects of THC.

For chronic pain alleviation, we’ll usually start by recommending a 1:1 ratio of CBD:THC. However, for other conditions we may recommend a 2:1 ratio of CBD:THC. As such, it is very possible to treat your symptoms without becoming intoxicated. Consequently, there really are a limited number of conditions where THC (without CBD) is the best course of treatment. That said, all patients are different and may respond differently to treatments. Whatever the case may be, your local Patient Care Specialist can help you with this recommendation.

Depending on your chosen method of consumption, there are different procedures that will help you find your perfect dose. For the sake of brevity, the pros and cons of the various consumption methods will be covered in other articles. Please keep notes to track your dosages! Following these procedures should help to prevent over-medicating.

Whatever your chosen form of consumption, we recommend taking the ‘initial dose’ for three days before increasing dosages. Its possible that this initial dose may become effective without increasing the dose size.

Oral Absorption

  1. Wait at least 10 minutes since the last time you drank fluids or ate food.
  2. Using the direction on the label, administer enough drops/sprays/lozenges for a 2.5-5 mg dose (lower is better) of total cannabinoids. We’ll call this your ‘initial dose.’
  3. Follow printed directions for how long to allow the product to sit in the mouth.
  4. Swallow and wait 10 minutes before eating or drinking (if possible).
  5. You may feel effects in 10-60 minutes, with maximum effectiveness reached at 60 minutes.
  6. If the desired effects are not achieved after 60 minutes, you may repeat this procedure using an additional initial dose. NOTE: If possible, it is best to wait six total hours before attempting treatment with double your initial dose.

Effective Dose: Once you have found your effective orally absorbed dose, you may repeat that dose every 2-4 hours as needed. Take notes while it’s fresh in your mind regarding your preferred dosage.

Edibles

  1. For finding dosage, we recommend ingesting an edible on an empty stomach (one hour before, or 90 minutes after eating). NOTE: Dosage and absorption can be affected by the content (fattiness) of your meal or snack. This can be great for prolonging the effects, but may cause difficulty finding appropriate dosage.
  2. Using the directions on the product, eat enough of the edible for a 2.5-5 mg dose (lower is better) of total cannabinoids. We’ll call this your ‘initial dose.’
  3. Avoid eating food. You may begin to feel effects in as little as 30 minutes, but it will likely be two hours before you feel maximum effect. Be patient! Taking too many edibles can be quite uncomfortable.
  4. If, after two hours, the desired effects are not achieved, you may repeat this procedure with an additional ‘initial dose.’ NOTE: If possible, it is best to wait eight total hours before attempting treatment with double your initial dose.

Effective Dose: Once you have found your effective dose of edibles, you may repeat that dose every 3-6 hours as needed.

Dermal (topical)

  1. Determine where to apply topical. These seems obvious, but you could have a headache because your neck is sore.
  2. Clean the area that will receive treatment along with your hands, preferably with soap and water, then dry thoroughly.
  3. With a dime sized dollop (or enough to cover the affected area), rub into the skin in the affected area. This amount will be considered your ‘initial dose.’
  4. Wait 10 minutes and apply a second ‘initial dose’ as needed.

Effective Dose: Once you have found your effective dosage of topicals, you may repeat that dose every 1-2 hours as needed. A patient doesn’t need to be quite as stringent about this method of consumption as there is little chance that it will affect a person in negative ways.

Note: Always wash hands before and after application. Thoroughly washing the application area may also help with absorption.

Transdermal

  1. Decide on a location to place the patch. This should be a location with a concentration of veins and thin skin. The underside of one of your wrist is a common place along with the tops of feet.
  2. Clean the area of application thoroughly with soap and water.
  3. Use the manufacturers instructions to place the patch.
  4. Wait 30-60 minutes for the effects to begin.
  5. At this point, a patient could add a second patch if the desired affect is not reached.
  6. If at any point you feel uncomfortable with the side effects you can simply remove the patch and symptoms will abate within 15-30 minutes.

Effective Dose: Once you have found your effective dose of transdermals, you may repeat that dose (with a new patch) per the directions on the package. Different patches can have different effective times and are a great way to deliver a direct, controlled dose of cannabinoids.

Note: It can be important to rotate the location of a transdermal patch. Using the same location day after day can cause irritation to the skin.

Inhalation

  1. Prepare your personal pipe by making sure it is reasonably clean and free of obstruction.
  2. Grind a small portion of dried cannabis flower.
  3. If possible, weigh .125 g of ground flower. Otherwise, the smallest measuring spoon you can find will due. This will be your ‘initial dose,’ and it can be quite small. NOTE: Your Patient Care Specialist can assist in calculating the approximate amount of cannabinoids you are administering.
  4. Insert measured amount of ground cannabis flower to your pipe’s bowl and pat down softly.
  5. Place the pipe to your mouth and light your flame. Slowly inhale as you get the flame close to the cannabis. When the cannabis lights (you’ll know), remove the flame.
  6. Within two inhalations you should have consumed the entire amount. If not, stop after two inhalations.
  7. You should acquire maximum effect within 5-10 minutes, though you will feel the onset of effects almost immediately. Repeat this procedure to take additional inhalations.

Effective Dose: Once you have found your effective dose of inhaled product, you may repeat that dose every 2-3 hours as needed.


Notes on inhalation:
-Consult with your Patient Care Specialist regarding calculating the cannabinoid content by weight of dried flower. This varies depending on the variety selected for use.
-We recommend controlling dosage by weight of the dried cannabis flower consumed.
-Some people prefer to monitor dosing by a count of inhalations. This is fine, but be sure that each inhalation is the same. Large variations can occur depending on whether your inhalation was long and deep, or short and shallow.
-Despite what you may hear, we do not recommend deep inhalation of dried cannabis flower.
-We do not support the use of ‘dabs’ (sap, wax, shatter, budder, rosin, etc.) or vapor pens for medical use. While there are some cases where these highly concentrated substances should legitimately be used, but it is very difficult to control dosing. A single inhalation of these products could allow a person to ingest 10 mg or more of cannabinoids. This is felt immediately, and intensely. If you feel the need to use dabs to get the desired effect, consult with one of our Patient Care Specialists for ideas on how to reduce your tolerance.

Published by Eric

Lit Naturals founder, Eric McSwain, serves as Chairman of the Board for the Missouri Cannabis Industry Association. He is also a certified caregiver and patient. Eric's wife is also a caregiver and he also mentors several other caregivers in the state of Missouri. Eric's passion is for educating patients in the use of cannabis as well as at-home cultivation.