Medical Cannabis Capsules Dosage Chart in mg
A common starting dose is 2.5 mg of THC, taken once daily. Older adults, people new to cannabinoids, and anyone who has had a bad reaction to THC should start at 1 mg or less. Most patients settle between 5 mg and 30 mg of THC per day. CBD capsules run higher because CBD does not bind CB1 receptors the same way THC does, so daily totals of 10 mg to 100 mg or more are common.
medical cannabis capsules dosage chart mg
Milligrams on a capsule label describe the weight of the cannabinoid inside the capsule, not the weight of the capsule or the flower it came from. A capsule marked 10 mg THC holds 10 milligrams of delta-9 THC. A 1:1 capsule marked 5 mg/5 mg holds 5 mg THC plus 5 mg CBD.
Low, Moderate, and High Ranges
Use these bands as a reference, not a target. Your effective dose depends on your condition, tolerance, and liver enzymes.
medical cannabis capsules dosage chart mg
- Low THC: 1 mg to 2.5 mg per dose
- Moderate THC: 2.5 mg to 10 mg per dose
- High THC: 10 mg to 30 mg per dose
- Very high THC: above 30 mg per dose, seen in long-term users under clinician care
- Low CBD: 10 mg to 20 mg per dose
- Moderate CBD: 25 mg to 50 mg per dose
- High CBD: 50 mg to 100 mg per dose
- Very high CBD: above 100 mg per dose
How to Titrate a THC Capsule
- Choose one capsule strength and one time of day. Evening works for many people because sedation passes during sleep.
- Swallow the starting dose of 1 mg to 2.5 mg THC with food or water.
- Wait 60 to 90 minutes before judging the effect. Capsules absorb slower than inhaled cannabis and peak between 1 and 3 hours.
- Hold that same dose for 2 to 3 days.
- Increase by 1 mg to 2.5 mg only if symptoms remain and side effects are absent.
- Stop raising the dose once relief arrives. That number is your dose. Do not chase a higher one.
- Log the date, dose, time, symptoms, and side effects so patterns become visible.
What Shifts Your Dose
- Body weight and fat percentage, since THC is stored in fat tissue
- Age and liver enzyme activity, which slow clearance in older adults
- Tolerance from prior cannabis use
- Other drugs, mainly sedatives, blood thinners, and drugs broken down by CYP450 enzymes
- Condition being treated, such as chronic pain, spasticity, nausea, or sleep problems
- Capsule base, whether oil or powder, and whether you take it with a meal
Safety Notes
Do not drive or operate equipment after a THC capsule. THC raises heart rate and can cause anxiety, dry mouth, and short-term memory problems. Check the batch certificate of analysis for potency, since labels can be off. Store capsules in a locked container away from children and pets. Talk with your prescribing clinician before mixing cannabis with opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol.
Best Time to Take Medical Cannabis Capsules: Evening Dose Wins