A simple guide to pot, THC and how much is too much

THC content varies widely among marijuana strains and among products made from cannabis. Even with edibles, customers may not understand just how much THC they will ingest.

The way it’s consumed, the type of product and individual tolerance all play a part.

Surprisingly, raw cannabis contains very little of the components that “get people high.” It’s the addition of heat from burning, vaping or cooking raw cannabis that activates the compounds.

Heating triggers a chemical process known as decarboxylation, which converts a chemical compound into THC. More than half of the THC can be lost during in the process.

Here is a guide to better understand the THC content of your cannabis.

Smoking vs. eating

When smoked, THC reaches the bloodstream rapidly after being absorbed by the lungs. With edibles, the liver metabolizes the THC — a much slower route. It can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to start feeling the effects, which tend to be stronger and last longer compared to smoking or vaping.

Baking with cannabis can lead to much more unpredictable results. Home cooks may be less consistent in the amount used, cooking temperatures and serving sizes.

Store-bought edibles can be found in many forms, such as candies, gummies, chocolates and beverages. In California, edibles must be labeled with THC content in milligrams. Lab tests and measurement methods vary within the industry but these labels are one way to estimate the effects of the edible.