THCA Dosage: How Much Should You Take? [Chart & Calculator]

THCA dosage can be confusing – there are so many types of THCA products, and they’re all consumed differently, offer unique effects and potencies, and have different onset times and effect durations. 

So to help you out, we created a comprehensive THCA dosage guide with a calculator and chart based on our experiences helping 100s of customers find therapeutic wellness and recreational relaxation through THCA. 

What is THCA?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant (hemp is a federally legal variant of cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight). 

THCA can be thought of as an acidic version of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) because it’s THC, plus an acid ring. When THCA is heated, this acid ring is removed (this process is known as decarboxylation) and the THCA becomes THC. 

THCA has few effects in raw form, but when heated, it turns into THC, its “activated” form, which is psychoactive and has a variety of potential therapeutic benefits. 

How Much THCA Should You Take?

Because many THCA products are heated during the consumption process (e.g. flower, concentrates, etc.), what you’re actually consuming is THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid with euphoric and relaxing effects. 

Since THC will get you high, it’s best to start by consuming a small amount so the effects aren’t too overwhelming. 

While there’s no one-size-fits-all dosage for activated THCA, a general rule of thumb is to start by taking 5-10mg per day. This is roughly equivalent to 2-3 puffs of THCA flower or 1-2 inhalations of vaporized THCA concentrate. 

If you’re consuming raw THCA in the form of an edible or tincture, a starting dose of 10-20mg is suitable because it’s not psychoactive. 

NOTE: The rest of this guide is based on activated THCA products because that’s what most people consume.

THCA Dosage: Factors to Consider

While the 5-10mg benchmark is a helpful THCA dosage starting point, the precise amount that’s best for you will depend on a few main factors:

• Body Weight: People with higher body mass may require slightly higher doses of THCA to feel the same effects as someone who weighs less.
• Intended Use: Your ideal dosage will depend on whether you’re using THCA for physical discomfort, sleep, mental relaxation, or recreation. 
• Tolerance: If you’re new to psychoactive cannabinoids, smaller doses of THCA will render more powerful effects. Always start low and adjust gradually.
• Genetics: Everyone’s body chemistry is unique and plays a role in how strong a certain dose will feel; you’ll need to experiment to see how much THCA is right for you. 

THCA Dosage By Use

Your ideal dose of THCA will depend in large part on why you’re using it. 

Here are some weight-based dosage formulas you can use to calculate an estimated starting dose (which can then be translated to different consumption methods – see “THCA dosage by product” for more):

• Low Strength Formula: (0.05) x (body weight in lbs) = your daily THCA dosage in mg
• Medium Strength Formula: (0.1) x (body weight in lbs) = your daily THCA dosage in mg
• High Strength Formula: (0.15) x (body weight in lbs) = your daily THCA dosage in mg

And here are the best dosage strengths for different uses:

• Sleep: Medium strength. 
• Mental Relaxation: Low strength.
• Physical Comfort: Medium strength. 
• Recreation: Low strength.

THCA Dosage Calculator

THCA Dosage Chart

THCA Dosage by Product

You’ll need to measure your starting dose of THCA differently depending on type of product you’re using.

Here’s what you need to know:

THCA flower & pre-rolls

Onset Time: 5-10 minutes

Effect Duration: 2-4 hours

THCA flower and THCA pre-rolls are raw hemp flower products that you consume by smoking. 

When heated, the THCA in these products is converted to THC, which renders the euphoric, relaxing high the cannabis sativa plant is known for. 

A suitable starting dose for THCA flower or pre-rolls is 2-3 puffs. After inhaling, wait for 5-10 minutes to gauge the effects before inhaling more. 

THCA vapes

Onset Time: 5-10 minutes

Effect Duration: 2-4 hours

Vaping THCA offers rapid effects similar to smoking, but often with more potency and less harshness. As with flower, the THCA in vapes will be converted to THC when the cart is vaporized.

A suitable starting dose for THCA vapes is 2-3 inhales. Inhale this amount, then wait 5-10 minutes to gauge the effects before you inhale more. 

THCA concentrates

Onset Time: 5-10 minutes

Effect Duration: 2-4 hours

THCA concentrates like diamonds, wax, or crumble can be dabbed or added to flower. 

Concentrates are highly potent (often containing more than 90% THCA), so they’re not the best option if you’re new to psychoactive cannabinoids. 

Due to their high potency, start by inhaling 1-2 puffs of a THCA concentrate from a dab rig, then waiting 5-10 minutes to observe the effects before inhaling more. 

THCA tinctures

Onset Time: 10-15 minutes (sublingual), 45 minutes to 1 hour (swallowed)

Effect Duration: 4-6 hours

THCA tinctures are liquid extracts that you can take sublingually (under the tongue) or swallow and digest. 

If you’re taking a tincture with raw THCA in it, you can start by taking 10-20mg (the amount of oil this will be depends on the potency of your product), then waiting 10-15 minutes to assess the effects. 

If you’re taking a THC (“activated” THCA) tincture, start with 5-10mg, then wait 10-15 minutes before taking more. 

THCA edibles

Onset Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Effect Duration: 6-8 hours

THCA edibles are the slowest to kick in but offer the longest-lasting experience. 

As with tinctures, you can start with 10-20mg of a THCA edible if it’s raw THCA, while starting with 5-10mg if it’s activated THCA (THC). Wait at least 1 hour before gauging the effects and deciding whether to take more. 

Can You Take Too Much THCA?

While THCA is deeply relaxing and has both therapeutic and recreational benefits, it also has the potential to cause adverse side effects (due to the fact that it converts into THC, which is psychoactive):

Potential side effects of THC include:

• Difficulty thinking and speaking
• Anxiety
• Dry mouth
• Increased appetite
• Rapid heart rate
• Memory loss
• Red eyes
• Slowed reaction time
• Sleepiness

To avoid these side effects, start by consuming a small amount of your THCA product(s) and waiting for the effects to kick in before taking more. 

Conclusion: Dosing THCA for The Best Effects

THCA dosage isn’t an exact science because it’s difficult to measure how many milligrams you’re taking if you’re smoking THCA flower or inhaling THCA concentrates. 

But by estimating your dose based on the 5-10mg benchmark, you can get a feel for how THCA works in your body. 

Then, you can gradually adjust your dosage until you achieve the benefits and effects you’re looking for. 

THCA Dosage: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about THCA dosage.

Is THCA legal?

THCA is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill if it's derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. However, state laws vary – some states restrict or ban THCA regardless of source. Always check your local regulations before purchasing THCA products online.

Will THCA get you high?

THCA in its raw form is non-psychoactive and won’t get you high. But when it’s heated – through smoking, vaping, or cooking – it converts into THC, which can produce strong psychoactive effects.

How long does THCA take to kick in?

It depends on the product. Inhaled forms like flower or vapes kick in within 5-10 minutes, while edibles and tinctures can take 15 minutes to 1 hour to start rendering effects.

How long do the effects of THCA last?

Smoked or vaped THCA effects usually last 2-4 hours. Edibles and tinctures can last much longer – typically between 4 to 8 hours – depending on your dose and individual metabolism.