The starting dose, by experience level
- Never used cannabis before: 2.5 mg of THC. One quarter of a 10 mg gummy or a single piece from a low-dose multi-pack.
- Used flower or vapes but new to edibles: 2.5 to 5 mg. Edibles hit differently than smoking, and the difference catches people.
- Regular cannabis user, infrequent edible user: 5 mg.
- Experienced edible user with established tolerance: 10 mg or known personal dose.
If you do not know which category you are in, you are in the lower one. We mean it.
Why edibles hit so much harder than smoking
When you smoke or vape, THC enters your bloodstream from your lungs in minutes. When you eat THC, it goes through your liver, where most of it converts to 11-hydroxy-THC, a different molecule that is significantly more potent and longer-lasting than the THC you started with. This is why a 10 mg edible feels stronger than a single hit of vape that delivered roughly the same THC.
The conversion to 11-hydroxy-THC also explains:
- Slower onset. 60 to 90 minutes typical, sometimes longer.
- Longer duration. 5 to 7 hours, sometimes longer at higher doses.
- More body-felt effect. Edibles often feel "deeper" than inhaled cannabis at the same nominal dose.
The single biggest mistake
Redosing too soon. A customer takes 5 mg, feels nothing in 45 minutes, takes another 5 mg, and then 30 minutes later both doses peak together. Now they are at 10 mg and feeling overwhelmed.
The rule is wait 90 minutes before considering a second dose. Some adults need 2 hours. If at the 90-minute mark you do not feel anything, you can take another small dose, but accept that the original dose may also still be coming up. Better to underdose tonight and adjust tomorrow than overdose tonight.
Reading an edible label
A modern New York edible label will list:
- Total THC per package (e.g., 100 mg)
- THC per piece (e.g., 10 mg per gummy, 10 pieces per package)
- CBD content if present
- Brand and batch number
Always check piece-level dosing before eating. The most common edible accident is eating a "gummy" that turned out to be a 10 mg single instead of a 2.5 mg portion of a larger piece.
What to do if you took too much
Cannabis edible overdose is uncomfortable but not medically dangerous in the doses available on a legal NY menu. If it happens:
- Find a quiet, comfortable space.
- Drink water and eat something light. A snack with fat (cheese, peanut butter, avocado) can help.
- Try CBD if available. A few drops of CBD oil under the tongue can sometimes soften the edge.
- Remember it will pass. Most peaks last 1 to 3 hours. Total duration 5 to 7 hours.
- Distract. A familiar movie, a phone call to a friend who has been there.
- Do not drive. Do not make important decisions. Do not double up trying to sleep through it.
If symptoms become severe (chest pain, severe vomiting, confusion that does not improve with rest), call a doctor or go to urgent care. Cannabis is rarely the only cause of severe symptoms; mixing with alcohol, medications, or pre-existing conditions can amplify.
Visit Sage Seeds
Sage Seeds · 248-15 Union Turnpike, Bellerose, NY 11426 · (347) 426-9394 · License OCM-RETL-24-000004 · Hours [VERIFY] · Contact
Order pickup · Order edibles · Low-dose edibles · Learn library
For use only by adults 21 and older. Cannabis affects each person differently. This is general information, not medical advice. Do not drive or operate machinery after using.