Dosage Done Right: How to Safely Portion Homemade Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles are a homegrower’s dream—delicious, discreet, and long-lasting. But unlike sparking a joint, edibles hit differently, and dosing them wrong can turn a relaxing evening into a trip you weren’t prepared for. Getting the portion size right isn’t just about comfort; it’s about safety and making sure every batch you share or stash delivers a consistent experience. Here’s how to master the art of dosing your homemade edibles.

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Why Edible Dosing Matters

When you smoke or vape cannabis, effects kick in almost immediately, giving you real-time control over how high you get. Edibles, on the other hand, are processed by the digestive system and liver, converting THC into 11-hydroxy-THC—a compound that can feel more potent and last far longer. Without careful portioning, one cookie can lead to hours of discomfort instead of bliss.

Key takeaway: Proper dosing keeps your edibles predictable, safe, and enjoyable.

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Step 1: Know Your Weed’s Potency

Before you even think about baking, you need a sense of how strong your cannabis is. Potency depends on strain, growing conditions, and harvest timing, but most flower falls between 15–25% THC.

• 15% THC = about 150 mg THC per gram of flower

• 20% THC = about 200 mg THC per gram of flower

• 25% THC = about 250 mg THC per gram of flower

Example: If you use 7 grams (a quarter ounce) of 20% THC flower to make infused butter, you’re starting with about 1,400 mg THC total before accounting for extraction efficiency.

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Step 2: Account for Extraction Efficiency

Not all of that THC makes it into your butter, oil, or tincture. A typical home infusion captures 60–80% of cannabinoids.

So, using the example above:

• 1,400 mg THC × 70% efficiency = ~980 mg THC in your infusion

That’s your baseline potency for the entire batch.

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Step 3: Do the Math for Servings

Once you know the total THC in your infusion, divide by the number of servings you plan to make.

• Infused butter example: If you put that 980 mg THC butter into a recipe for 20 cookies, each cookie contains about 49 mg THC.

• If you cut the same batch into 40 cookies, each is closer to 24 mg THC.

Rule of thumb: Start low and go slow. For beginners, 2–5 mg THC is a gentle starting dose. Experienced users may enjoy 10–20 mg, while medical patients sometimes go higher.

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Step 4: Label and Store Clearly

Homemade edibles can look a lot like regular treats—until someone takes a bite and spends the night on the couch questioning reality. To keep things safe:

• Label containers with strain, infusion type, and approximate dosage per piece.

• Separate them from non-infused food in your fridge or pantry.

• Store securely away from kids, pets, and unsuspecting guests.

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Step 5: Test, Adjust, Repeat

No matter how careful you are, home infusions aren’t as precise as lab-tested dispensary products. The best way to dial in your perfect dose is to:

1. Start with half or a quarter of a portion.

2. Wait at least 2 hours before taking more—edibles take time to kick in.

3. Keep a dosage journal noting how much you ate, how long it took to feel, and how strong the effects were.

This trial-and-error approach helps you fine-tune both recipes and serving sizes.

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Safety Tips for Sharing Edibles

• Always disclose that something is infused. Never “surprise” anyone.

• Offer small portions (like mini brownies or gummies) so people can scale their intake.

• Explain the waiting period—effects are often delayed but more powerful than expected.

• Have CBD handy: While it won’t completely reverse a high, CBD can help mellow THC’s effects if someone gets too lifted.

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Making edibles at home is one of the most rewarding parts of growing your own cannabis, but precision matters. By understanding potency, calculating servings, and clearly labeling your creations, you’ll ensure every bite is safe, consistent, and enjoyable.

Dosage done right means your edibles won’t just taste good—they’ll treat you and your friends to the kind of high you intended.

At HomeGrow Helpline, we believe growing your own cannabis should be fun, simple, and rewarding. Whether you’re trimming your first plant, experimenting with edibles, or just curious about what’s possible in your own backyard, we’ve got tips, tricks, and guides to help you every step of the way. Think of us as your laid-back grow buddy—always ready to share what works (and what doesn’t).