Quick answer
Start with 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg THC per capsule if you have no tolerance. For CBD, start at 5 mg to 10 mg. Take one capsule by mouth. Wait 1 to 2 hours before you judge the effect. Increase the next dose by 2.5 mg THC or 5 mg CBD no sooner than 2 days later. Stop at the dose that gives relief without unwanted effects.
Medical Cannabis Capsule Administration: How to Take Them Safely
THC capsule doses
Oral THC has low bioavailability. The liver breaks down much of the dose before it reaches blood. Studies report bioavailability of 6% to 20%. A 5 mg capsule may deliver the same effect as 0.3 mg to 1 mg of inhaled THC.
- Day 1 to 3: 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg
- Day 4 to 6: 2.5 mg to 5 mg
- Week 2: 5 mg to 10 mg
- Upper range for some patients: 20 mg to 40 mg per day
CBD capsule doses
CBD has a wider dose range. Clinical trials use 5 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg per day for epilepsy. That equals 350 mg to 1,400 mg per day for a 70 kg adult. For anxiety or sleep, many users start at 10 mg to 25 mg per day.
Right Dose for Medical Cannabis Capsules
- Low: 5 mg to 15 mg per day
- Medium: 15 mg to 50 mg per day
- High: 50 mg to 300 mg per day
CBD capsules often contain oil. Oil increases absorption. Take with a meal that has fat.
Dosing Medical Cannabis Capsules: A Comprehensive Guide
How to titrate
Titration means slow steps. Use a log. Record dose, time, food, and effects at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours. Wait at least 2 days before each step. Side effects from THC include dry mouth, fast heart rate, and impaired coordination. Side effects from CBD include sleepiness, diarrhea, and liver enzyme changes at high doses.
Timing and onset
Capsule onset is 30 to 120 minutes. Peak plasma levels occur at 2 to 4 hours. Effects last 6 to 8 hours. Food delays onset but raises total absorption. Do not drive after a new dose.
FDA-approved capsules
Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros) is a synthetic THC capsule. FDA approved it for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and for anorexia in AIDS patients. Capsule strengths are 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. Nabilone (Cesamet) is a 1 mg capsule for chemotherapy nausea. Both drugs have boxed warnings and require a prescription.
Label math
A label that says 10 mg THC per capsule means 10 mg of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. A full-spectrum capsule may list THC and CBD totals. Check the certificate of analysis (COA) for the batch. Lab tests show actual cannabinoid content. Product labels can be off by 10% to 20%.
What to track
- Dose in mg
- Time of day
- Food in stomach
- Pain, sleep, or anxiety score
- Side effects