Culture · Updated 2026-11-14
One word, many standards: serving sizes and limits
Why a milligram figure on one label does not mean what it means on another, and what the public guidance actually says.
The same word, different rules
"Serving" and "dose" are not universal terms. Regulated markets define a standard edible serving; public-health bodies recommend a starting amount. These are different things, and both are in milligrams of THC.
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Colorado Marijuana Rules (1 CCR 212-3) | The standardised serving of THC in an edible product is 10 mg; a serving testing above 10 mg fails under Rule 4-210 |
| Health Canada consumer guidance | Start with 2.5 mg THC or less and go slow |
| Leafly edible dosing guide | Uses 2.5 mg as the figure for new users |
Why this matters
A regulated product's label tells you what the maker states. A homemade edible has no such label, which is why every figure on our sister site ganja.recipes is a calculated maximum, not a measurement.
Onset is also a guide, not a promise
Health Canada describes onset of edibles at 30 minutes to 2 hours, up to 4 hours to full effect, and effects lasting up to 12 hours. The practical rule is to wait before taking more.
What to take from this
- Check the unit: milligrams of THC per portion.
- Know whether a figure is a legal limit or a suggested starting point.
- Where a rule differs between places, follow the one where you are.
- Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, Marijuana Rules, 1 CCR 212-3 (standardised serving of 10 mg active THC; Rule 4-210), text via Cornell LII, law.cornell.edu/regulations/colorado/1-CCR-212-3-4-210.
- Health Canada, what you need to know if you choose to consume cannabis, canada.ca.
- Leafly, Edible dosing for beginners, leafly.com/learn/consume/edibles/edible-dosing.
