guide

Low-Dose Edibles To Take You From Day To Night
Guide by Kate Ryan
Nov 03, 2020 · 6 min read

Because finding your perfect dose shouldn't be a chore.

We've all heard the horror stories about journalists lying in the fetal position on hotel room floors and too-stoned cops calling the cops on themselves. But before you jump to conclusions about cannabis-infused goodies, know there's a difference between pot-laced brownies of decades past and the low-dose godsends of cannabis's future. 

What does it mean for an edible to be low-dose you ask? While personal tolerances can vary widely, in general, a dose of about 3 to 5mg of THC constitutes a low dose for most people. Below 3mg and you’re in microdose territory, which has its own unique benefits (like a gentle introduction to cannabis, for instance). But for our purposes, low doses of cannabis-infused goodies can be helpful for two primary reasons: safely gauging your tolerance and achieving an effective yet functional high. The closest and simplest analogy would probably be caffeine. Most people will barely feel a buzz from green tea, a mild spark from black tea, a noticeable lift from coffee, and a jetpack blast to the moon from a triple espresso. To know whether you should cut yourself off at one matcha latte or four iced coffees requires a little trial and error. Cannabis is no different.

Many of us at Proper smoke, vape, and eat cannabis regularly and could easily hoard a whole joint without feeling overwhelmed. But when it comes to edibles, most of us find our happy place right around the 5mg mark. Why this tolerance discrepancy? Most simply, it has to due with the way our bodies metabolize cannabinoids, the active compounds found in cannabis. When inhaled, THC rapidly enters the bloodstream via the lungs, delivering a high you can feel within minutes. When consumed, THC has to first travel through your liver and gastrointestinal tract, taking 30 to 90 minutes to deliver a high. The difference in potency comes down to the conversion of delta-9 THC to 11-hydroxy-THC, the latter of which produces a more intense psychoactive effect. Basically, your liver is a lot better than your lungs at converting standard THC to its more psychedelic cousin, 11-hydroxy-THC.

To know whether you should cut yourself off at one matcha latte or four iced coffees requires a little trial and error. Cannabis is no different.

Understanding that, it’s easy to see why you can smoke a joint and realize fairly quickly when you’ve reached a comfortable high, whereas consuming edibles requires planning and patience. Which brings us back to the beauty of low doses. With 5mg of THC, you can enter the unknown with confidence. Worst case, you feel a little more psychoactive engagement than you anticipated, but it’s nothing a couple snacks and a movie can’t fix. On the flip side, you may feel nothing two hours after imbibing, in which case, congratulations! You can now gradually increase your dose until you find what works best for you. It’s the perfect combination of low stakes and high potential to learn more about what you like that make low-dose edibles ideal for so many people.

Keep scrolling to see which low-dose edibles the Proper Cannabis Committee has deemed the best of the best.

Serving size: 1 bean, 5mg THC 
Good for: Energy, Mood Boost
Available in: California, Arizona, Nevada

Committee member Siera Shrout wrote in his review: “These are perfect in the morning. I am obsessed with how delicious they are, and I feel totally blissed out, alert, and focused. Everything is clear and I feel motivated to get everything on my to-do list finished today.”


Serving size: 1 mint, 5mg THC
Good for: Energy, Uplift, Focus
Available in: Oregon, Washington

Committee member and cannabis influencer Kitty Kitty Bang Bang wrote in her review: “Staying dialed in and focused is not one of my strong suits, but these mints really contributed to my mental acuity. I felt slightly enhanced but still functional.”



Serving size: 1 pack offers a total of 5mg THC & 5mg CBD
Good for: Unwind, Joy, Relief
Available in: California

Committee member Katie Phillips says: "Feeling relaxed, calm, and mildly euphoric. I'm doing some work poolside and not mad at it."

Serving size: 1 gummy, 5mg THC
Good for: Joy, Uplift, Relief
Available in: California

Committee member Laura Benack says: “Feeling a nice body buzz creep up and a soothing of my aching muscles. The edible is helping me tolerate bathing suit shopping, though I think it would also be great for a post-workout mood boost.”



Serving size: 1 mint, 1mg THC and 3mg CBD
Good for: Relief, Mindfulness, Joy
Available in: California

Committee member Samantha Jane Gurewitz says: "Feeling a very slight calmness. Good for when you want to take the edge off but don’t want to be high at all."



Serving size: 1 gummy, 5mg THC
Good for: Energy, Uplift
Available in: California, Oregon

Committee member Margaret Dumas says: “Having a pleasant morning made possible by the soothing and uplifting effects of this edible! The high hits like a nice surprise—low-key but obviously making its presence known.”



Serving size: ~3mg THC per strawberry
Good for: Mood Boost, Unwind, Joy
Available in: California

Committee member Chris Pappas says: “This high is a great energy boost that led me to go for a hike on my treadmill. This seems like a great work-out high and would be great for a nice weekend outdoors.”

Serving size: 5mg THC a section
Good for: Joy, Uplift, Clear
Available in: California, Arizona, Nevada

Committee member Lindsay MaHarry wrote in his review: "Fabulous taste and a really nice euphoric high. I feel as if I'm floating in and out of consciousness. Great recreational edible."



Serving size: 1 scoop, 5mg THC and <1mg CBD
Good for: Mood Boost, Focus, Energy
Available in: California

Committee member Chris Pappas says: “There's a warm vibration throughout my body that's very pleasant and is lifting my mood. This euphoric high has amplified slowly over the past hour.”



Serving size: 1 piece, 2mg THC and 6mg CBD
Good for: Calm, Relief, Mood Boost
Available in: California

Committee member Brianna Wheeler says: “The onset was plush - like falling into a metaphysical pile of down pillows. The high has now developed into a comfy buzz. Feeling strong and energized. But also giggly.”


You can find these and many more top-rated low-dose edibles here.



Shop This Article

Mr. Moxey's MintsEnergizing Peppermint Mints

 

Terra by KivaTerra Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans

 

WyldRaspberry Sativa Enhanced Gummies 50mg

 

PlusUplift Sour Watermelon Gummies

 

Camino by KivaCamino "Social" Sparkling Pear Gummies

 

dosistbliss dose dial