Recommended starting dose
2.5 mg THC or less
Source: CCSA
Time to feel effects
30 minutes to 2 hours
Source: CCSA
Legal THC limit per package
10 mg THC
Source: Health Canada
Duration of effects
Up to 12 hours, residual up to 24 hours
Source: CCSA
Why dosing edibles is different than smoking
Edibles take longer to start working and last much longer than inhaled cannabis. The body processes THC differently when eaten, which can make effects stronger and more unpredictable.
Because of this, it’s important to start with a low dose and wait to see how you feel before taking more.
Key safety tips for edible use in Canada
- Never mix edibles with alcohol or other substances (CCSA)
- Store edibles locked and away from children and pets (CCSA)
- Follow legal market limits: 10 mg THC per package (Health Canada)
- Be aware of delayed and lasting effects
How to dose edibles for the first time
- 1
Start with a low dose
Begin with 2.5 mg THC or less, as recommended by the CCSA.
- 2
Wait for effects
Edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to start working. Do not take more during this period.
- 3
Assess how you feel
Peak effects can occur about 4 hours after eating, and effects may last up to 12 hours or longer.
Legal and illegal edible THC limits
Legal cannabis edibles in Canada cannot contain more than 10 mg THC per package (Health Canada). However, online mail-order shops may offer products with hundreds of milligrams per pack, which are not subject to this legal limit.
Always check the label and be cautious with high-potency products, especially when splitting servings.
How to split a gummy pack into 10 mg THC servings
| Pack THC content | Number of 10 mg servings |
|---|---|
| 50 mg | 5 |
| 100 mg | 10 |
| 200 mg | 20 |
| 500 mg | 50 |
Divide total THC by 10 to find servings. Example: a 500 mg pack is 50 servings of 10 mg each.
Median price per 10 mg THC by edible type
Legal vs. online edible products in Canada
Legal market
- Package limit of 10 mg THC (Health Canada)
- Labelled and regulated products
- Sold by provincially licensed shops
Online mail-order
- Often hundreds of mg THC per pack
- Not provincially licensed or regulated
- Serving sizes may be unclear
How long edible effects last
According to the CCSA, edible effects can last up to 12 hours, with some residual effects up to 24 hours.
Plan your activities and do not drive or operate machinery after consuming edibles.
Sources