Because, who doesn’t love math?
Calculating the dosage of cannabis-infused edibles is a critical aspect of cannabis cooking, ensuring both safety and efficacy. Cheri Sicard, a renowned cannabis chef and author, provides a comprehensive manual method for determining THC content in homemade edibles. Her approach, detailed in her writings, offers a systematic way to estimate the potency of your culinary creations.
Understanding THC Content in Cannabis
The first step in calculating dosage is to understand the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content of the cannabis you’re using. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, and its concentration can vary widely. If you have access to lab-tested cannabis, you’ll have precise THC percentages. However, if such information isn’t available, estimates are necessary.
For estimation purposes, using a 10% THC content is a reasonable starting point.
The Calculation Process
1. Determine THC per Gram
One gram of cannabis weighs 1,000 milligrams.
Assuming 10 per cent THC, each gram contains approximately 100 milligrams of THC (10 per cent of 1,000 mg).
2. Calculate Total THC in the Infusion
Decide how much cannabis you’ll use in your infusion.
So using a full ounce (28 grams) of cannabis with 10 per cent THC to make one cup of butter, the calculation looks like this:
28 grams × 100 mg THC/gram = 2,800 mg THC
3. Determine THC per Serving:
Consider the amount of infused butter used in a recipe. This is where you figure out how strong each piece really is.
Let’ say your recipe calls for a half-cup of this butter. Since 1 cup = 2,800 mg THC, ½ cup = 1,400 mg THC.
Now divide this amount by the number of portions you are making. So in this case, that half-cup of cannabutter is used to make 36 cookies: 1,400 mg THC ÷ 36 cookies ≈ 38.8 mg THC per cookie.
Adjusting Dosage
If the calculated dosage per serving is higher than desired, you can adjust.
Diluting the Infusion Mix the cannabis-infused butter or oil with regular butter or oil to reduce the THC concentration.
Reducing Infused Ingredient Quantity. Essentially, use less of the infused ingredient in the recipe and supplement with non-infused counterparts, like regular butter.
Conversely, if the dosage is too low, you can:
Increase Infused Ingredient: Use more of the cannabis-infused butter or oil.
Enhance with Concentrates: Add decarboxylated cannabis concentrates like kief, hash, or hash oil to boost potency.
Factors Influencing Dosage Accuracy
This is NOT an exact science! Edibles, especially home made, can be inconsistent. Several variables can affect the accuracy of your dosage calculations:
Decarboxylation: Perhaps the most critical step, properly heating cannabis to activate THC is crucial. Incomplete decarboxylation can result in lower potency.
Cannabis Potency Variability: Without lab testing, THC content is an estimate, and actual potency may vary.
Extraction Efficiency: The method and duration of infusion can influence how much THC is transferred to the butter or oil.
Practical Tips for Home Cooks
Start Low and Go Slow: Especially for those new to edibles, begin with lower doses to gauge individual tolerance.
Keep Detailed Records: Note the amounts of cannabis used, THC estimates, infusion methods, and personal effects to refine future preparations.
Use Dosage Calculators: Online tools can assist in estimating THC per serving, enhancing accuracy.
Accurately calculating the dosage of cannabis-infused edibles is essential for a safe and enjoyable experience. By following Cheri Sicard’s outlined procedure, home cooks can make informed decisions about the potency of their creations. Always consider individual tolerance levels and start with conservative dosages, adjusting as needed based on personal experience and desired effects.
As always, consume at your own risk. Please respect the cannabis laws of your jurisdiction. Do NOT get lifted and drive or operate heavy machinery.
Cooking With Cannabis 