The THC content can vary in cannabis made from products and marijuana strains. Even with edibles, this is the case, and customers have difficulty understanding how much THC is ingested with every bite.
There are two distinguishing factors: the way of consumption and the individual tolerance level. It may come as a surprise, but raw cannabis contains very few components to make people high. The addition of heat from vaping, burning, or cooking raw cannabis, is what actually activates the compounds and their psychoactive effects.
The heating activates decarboxylation, which is a chemical process that converts different chemical compounds into THC. Interestingly, more than half of THC can be lost during this heating process.
If you are looking for ways to calculate how much THC is in a joint and like to be more aware of every “high” experience from now on, we got your back. Our article will have the answer in addition to some THC features.
How to Calculate the Milligrams of THC in a Joint
Before we start, we like to talk about bioavailability. Bioavailability is a term that refers to the proportions of active effects that occur from any substance or drug when entering the body. To explain more simply, our bodies are unlikely to absorb all of the compounds in any substance.
They can be foods, drinks, vitamins, minerals, supplements, prescription medications, etc. They all have a certain bioavailability number when circulating in the body. THC also comes with a bioavailability number, which depends on how much the body has absorbed from the joint.
Also read: How To Make THC Infused Coffee
Do the math yourself
You can find out how much THC is in a joint by doing the calculation yourself. You can determine the THC content in your joint by following a simple formula. Multiply the weight of the joint in milligrams with the THC potency that comes in percentage, and you will determine the total milligrams of THC in your joint.
Formula
One gram equals 1000 milligrams, for example:
1 gram: 1000mg x 0.20= 200mg
If you apply the same formula to a half gram joint with the same 20% THC will be:
Half gram: 500mg x 0.20= 100mg
A modern-day joint contains between 60 to 150 milligrams of THC. In some cases, it can be more. This means that there has been a sharp increase in the industry since, in the 1970s, the most common joint came with 10 milligrams.
Neuroscientists and scientific advisers found the simple formula that we presented to help people determine how much THC is in a joint; however, the equation gives no information about how much the body will actually absorb from the joint. The determining factors for that information are:
- The ratio of THC to CBD in the joint
- How much THC is wasted in sidestream smoke
- Your puff technique, or what is known as smoking topography
- Bioavailability ( The proportion of THC that affects the brain after entering the bloodstream)
Use a smoke calculator
You can determine how much THC is in your joint by using a smoke calculator online without any hassle. All you need to do is enter the cannabis strain you are using, and you will be provided with all the answers. Using a joint, bowl, or bong, 60 to 63 % of THC is lost when inhaled. On the other hand, a vape pen loses only 46 %.
After entering the cannabis strain, the next step is how much weed you will use. The average American uses 0,3 grams. The calculator will compare the smoking methods and give you information on how much you consumed and how much THC was wasted during the inhalation.
Another huge factor that determines the influence effects is the tolerance level. Frequent cannabis users and enthusiasts can experiment with THC levels, but beginners may want to start slow and settle down for a joint with lower potency.
Smoking vs. Eating
Smoking is the fastest way to absorb THC into your bloodstream rapidly. The lungs play the role of the middle man. However, with edibles, the results come at a much slower rate. They go through the digestive system and may need anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours for people to start feeling the effects. The effects are more robust and last longer than vaping or smoking.
Baking with cannabis leads to the most unpredictable effects because home cooks cannot follow the exact amount, serving sizes, and cooking temperatures.
The store-bought edibles can be gummies, chocolates, sweets, beverages, etc. They are one of the most popular forms and have THC content on their label. The authentication and guarantee come with third-party testing and extraction methods used. These factors play a huge role in estimating the effects of a THC-infused product.
What Is the Recommended Dosage of THC
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the active cannabis ingredient that produces a “high” feeling. THC comes in a standard unit of 5 milligrams. This standard has helped researchers, and many studies have been done on this compound. The researchers can get a more effective conclusion and compare different findings.
The most reputable companies and cannabis manufacturers have recommendations regarding how much THC to take. Experts suggest starting with 2.5 milligrams of THC, which is half of the standard, and everyone agrees that the 40 milligrams of THC per day dosage should not be exceeded.
The THC concentrations can vary from product to product and how much cannabis is ingested. The cannabis products may have the THC content on the label, but there is no guarantee in most cases, and the information is inaccurate. Many products on the market contain less THC than the labels say. To be entirely sure, we recommend you speak to your healthcare provider and ask for advice on how much you should be taking.
The Bottom Line
Our article provided two ways to determine how much THC is in a joint with some additional information. Consuming THC can be very beneficial if you suffer from a chronic disease. If you choose an FDA-approved medication with small THC content, your doctor will give you the safest dosage for your personal needs.
