Comparison of your serving size vs. standard commercial doses
Potency Breakdown by Variable
Metric
Value
Description
Comprehensive Guide to Edible Dosage Calculator by Weight
Accurately determining the potency of homemade edibles is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience. Unlike commercial products, which are lab-tested, home infusions require careful math to estimate the final THC content. This edible dosage calculator by weight is designed to help you calculate the precise milligram (mg) strength of your infused oils, butters, and baked goods based on the weight of the flower used.
What is an Edible Dosage Calculator by Weight?
An edible dosage calculator by weight is a financial-grade calculation tool used by home bakers and extraction enthusiasts to estimate the amount of active THC in a finished food product. It uses the dry weight of the cannabis flower, its potency percentage, and chemical conversion factors to derive the total available dosage.
This tool is essential for anyone who creates their own infusions. Without it, you risk "flying blind," which often leads to either underwhelming effects or, more commonly, an overwhelming experience due to unintentional overdosing.
Who Should Use This Tool?
Medical Patients: Who need consistent, measurable dosing for symptom relief.
Home Bakers: Creating infused brownies, cookies, or gummies.
Budget-Conscious Users: Wanting to maximize the efficiency of their material.
Edible Dosage Calculator by Weight: Formula and Explanation
The mathematics behind this calculator involves more than just multiplication. It accounts for the chemical changes that occur during heating (decarboxylation) and the inevitable loss of cannabinoids during the extraction process.
The Core Formula
The formula to calculate the Total THC in your infusion is:
Input grams converted to milligrams (1g = 1000mg).
1g – 28g (1 oz)
THC %
The percentage of THCA in the raw plant material.
10% – 25%
0.877 (Decarb Factor)
The ratio of molecular weight remaining after THCA converts to THC (loses CO2).
Constant
Extraction Efficiency
Percentage of cannabinoids successfully transferred into the fat/oil.
60% – 90%
Practical Examples of Edible Dosing
To better understand how the edible dosage calculator by weight works, let's look at two realistic scenarios.
Example 1: The "Standard" Batch
Input: You have 3.5 grams (an eighth) of cannabis with approximately 18% THC. You want to make 12 cookies using cannabutter.
Calculation:
Raw Weight: 3500mg
Total THCA: 3500mg × 0.18 = 630mg
Decarboxylated THC: 630mg × 0.877 ≈ 552.5mg
Infused THC (80% efficiency): 552.5mg × 0.80 ≈ 442mg Total
Per Cookie: 442mg ÷ 12 ≈ 36.8mg per cookie
Interpretation: 37mg is a strong dose for casual users. A standard commercial gummy is usually 10mg.
Example 2: The "Microdose" Oil
Input: You infuse 1 gram of high-grade 22% THC flower into 1 cup of coconut oil. You plan to use the oil by the teaspoon (approx 48 teaspoons per cup).
Calculation:
Raw Weight: 1000mg
Total THCA: 220mg
Decarboxylated THC: 220mg × 0.877 ≈ 193mg
Infused THC (90% efficiency for oil): 193mg × 0.90 ≈ 173.7mg Total
Per Teaspoon: 173.7mg ÷ 48 ≈ 3.6mg per teaspoon
Interpretation: This is a perfect low-dose addition to coffee or tea.
How to Use This Edible Dosage Calculator by Weight
Follow these steps to ensure you get the most accurate results from our tool:
Enter Flower Weight: Weigh your dry cannabis material in grams. Accuracy here is vital; use a digital scale if possible.
Input Potency: Enter the THC percentage. If you bought from a dispensary, check the label. If homegrown, 15-20% is a safe average estimate.
Set Servings: Determine how many individual portions you will cut your batch into.
Adjust Efficiency: Select an efficiency rate. Use 80% for standard stove-top butter infusions. Use 90% if using a specialized infusion machine.
Analyze Results: Review the "Per Serving" output. If it is too high (e.g., >20mg), consider cutting smaller pieces or adding more plain butter/oil to dilute the mixture.
Key Factors That Affect Dosage Results
Several variables can influence the final potency of your edible dosage calculator by weight results:
Decarboxylation: Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is non-psychoactive. You must heat it (approx 240°F/115°C for 30-45 mins) to convert it to THC. Failure to do this drastically reduces potency.
Fat Content: Cannabinoids are fat-soluble. Infusing into high-fat carriers like coconut oil, ghee, or butter yields better results than low-fat options.
Distribution: Poor mixing can lead to "hot spots" where one brownie has 5mg and the next has 50mg. Thorough stirring is mandatory.
Strain Variance: Even within the same plant, buds from the top colas may have higher THC % than lower buds.
Digestive Metabolism: While the calculator gives you the milligram weight, your body's liver metabolism (converting Delta-9 THC to 11-Hydroxy-THC) determines the intensity of the effect.
Tolerance: A 20mg dose might be imperceptible to a daily patient but incapacitating for a first-time user.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a safe starting dose for edibles?
For beginners, a safe starting dose is between 2.5mg and 5mg of THC. Wait at least 2 hours before consuming more, as edible effects are delayed.
Does body weight affect edible dosage?
Unlike alcohol, body weight is not the primary factor in cannabis tolerance. Liver enzyme efficiency and individual endocannabinoid system sensitivity play larger roles. However, larger individuals may metabolize the compound slightly differently.
Why is the factor 0.877 used?
This is the ratio of the molecular mass of THC (314.45 g/mol) to THCA (358.48 g/mol). When THCA is heated, it loses a carboxyl group (CO2), reducing its weight by roughly 12.3%.
How can I test the potency without a lab?
You cannot test exactly without a lab. However, you can perform a "bio-assay" by eating a very small fraction (e.g., 1/20th) of a serving and waiting 4 hours to gauge the strength before consuming a full portion.
What if I don't know my THC percentage?
If using average "top shelf" cannabis, estimate 20%. For average "mids," estimate 15%. For "shake" or trim, estimate 5-10%. It is always safer to overestimate potency than underestimate it.
Does cooking temperature destroy THC?
Yes. THC begins to degrade significantly above 350°F (175°C). When baking cookies or brownies, the internal temperature rarely reaches this high, but keep oven temps below 350°F to be safe.
Can I use this calculator for CBD?
Yes. The math for CBD is identical. Just input the CBD percentage of your hemp flower instead of the THC percentage.
What is the "Extraction Efficiency" setting?
No home infusion is 100% perfect. Some cannabinoids remain trapped in the plant material. 80% is a realistic standard for home butter/oil infusions.