How to Properly Dose Cannabis in Food: A Beginner’s Guide

Cooking with cannabis can be a fun, flavorful, and empowering experience—but getting the dosage right is key. Whether you're preparing a simple infused olive oil or experimenting with homemade edibles like brownies, gummies, or savory snacks, understanding proper dosing ensures a safe, enjoyable, and elevated experience for everyone. Make sure you check out our recipes page.

Why Dosing Matters

Improper dosing is one of the most common reasons people shy away from cannabis edibles. The effects can be too strong, too weak, or completely unpredictable. Edibles, unlike smoking or vaping, require more time to kick in and metabolize through your digestive system. That’s why precision matters—because when done correctly, edibles can be both delicious and dependable. Whether you're microdosing to manage stress or pain, or crafting an infused treat for a relaxing night in, knowing how to calculate and control dosage is the key to success.

1. Understand the Basics: THC, CBD, and Potency

To properly dose any cannabis-infused food, start by understanding the key cannabinoids:

• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high.”

• CBD (Cannabidiol) is non-psychoactive and known for its calming, anti-inflammatory effects.

The effects of each can vary based on the strain, your body chemistry, and how it’s consumed. Choosing the right cannabinoid (or ratio of both) depends on the kind of edible experience you want—whether it’s relaxing, creative, uplifting, or simply therapeutic.

2. Start Low and Go Slow

The golden rule of edibles: start low, go slow. Especially if you're new to cannabis-infused cooking or serving guests with varying tolerance levels, it’s important to be conservative with dosing.

• For beginners: 1 to 2.5mg of THC per serving is a great starting point.

• For intermediate users: 5 to 10mg of THC per serving is typical.

• For experienced consumers: 10mg+ per serving may be appropriate—but only if you're confident in your tolerance.

You can always increase the dosage in future batches. But once it’s ingested, there’s no turning back. Being cautious ensures a more enjoyable experience.

3. Know Your Infusion Ratios

When making infused butter, oil, or tinctures, you’ll need to calculate how much THC or CBD is going into your base.

Here’s a quick math breakdown:

• 1 gram of cannabis with 20% THC = 200mg total THC

• If you infuse that into 1 cup of oil, your oil now contains 200mg THC

• A recipe using ¼ cup (50mg) and serving 10 people = 5mg per serving

This is why it’s important to know the potency of your starting cannabis flower or concentrate. Lab-tested products make this easier, but if you're working with homegrown flower, estimations are your best bet.

You can also use online dosage calculators or apps to simplify the math—or consult a private cannabis chef for professional insight. We also have a high-definition video tutorial and a free cannabutter guide to help walk you through it step-by-step.

4. Mix Thoroughly for Even Dosing

Infused oils, butters, or syrups must be mixed thoroughly into your recipe to ensure each serving has a consistent dose. Stirring well and incorporating evenly is key. Poor mixing is one of the most common mistakes in cannabis edibles and can lead to wildly varying effects among different portions of the same batch. One brownie may contain 2mg while another has 25mg. Not ideal.

5. Timing is Everything

Unlike inhaled cannabis, edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, depending on your metabolism, what you’ve eaten, and your individual tolerance. Effects typically peak around 2–4 hours and can last up to 8 hours or more. That’s why it’s crucial to wait before consuming more. Many people make the mistake of thinking “it’s not working” and taking more—only to regret it later. If you're sharing edibles with others, make sure they know what to expect and encourage patience. It pays off.

6. Label Clearly and Communicate

If you’re gifting or serving edibles to others, always label them clearly. Include the total milligrams per serving, list whether it contains THC or CBD (or both), and if there are any allergens present. For parties or shared meals, always offer non-infused options and communicate dosing upfront. Informed guests are happy guests.

7. Consider Individual Tolerance and Goals

Not everyone responds to cannabis the same way. Weight, metabolism, experience level, and even mindset can influence how someone reacts to edibles.

Ask yourself (or your guests):

• Are you looking to relax or get creative?

• Is this a social gathering or a low-key evening?

• Do you have experience with edibles?

Tailor your recipes accordingly. You can even make dual-dosed versions of the same recipe—one with THC and one with CBD—to suit different preferences.

8. Safe Storage is a Must

If you’re making batches of edibles, store them safely—especially away from children and pets. Clearly mark infused products and keep them in sealed containers. Most edibles stay fresh in the fridge for 1–2 weeks and can be frozen for longer-term storage.

Final Thoughts

Cooking with cannabis opens up a whole new world of culinary creativity, flavor pairing, and relaxation. But just like with any ingredient, knowledge and precision matter—especially when it comes to edibles. Whether you're making infused chocolate truffles, infused honey, savory pasta dishes, or infused mocktails, the key is always proper dosing. It ensures a safe and satisfying experience, no matter the occasion.

At Dine with Roilty, we’re passionate about cannabis cuisine done right. We offer private cannabis chef services, hands-on cooking classes, and downloadable resources to help you master every technique with confidence.

Ready to take your edibles to the next level?

Explore our blog for more cannabis cooking tips, infusion tutorials, and mouthwatering recipes—or reach out to book your very own custom cannabis dining or cooking experience today!

Read our cannabutter blog post and start cooking with clarity and confidence.