Edible Dosing: Start Low and Go Slow

This page is general information for adults 21 and older about legal cannabis in New York. It is not medical advice and does not claim that cannabis treats, cures, or prevents any condition. Talk to a licensed healthcare provider about your health.

Edibles are easy to misjudge: they take longer to take effect than inhaled cannabis, the effects last longer, and they can feel stronger than people expect. Here is what New York requires on every edible sold at a licensed dispensary, what the State's own consumer guidance says about timing and serving size, and how to store products safely at home in Queens.

Why edibles are different from inhaling

When cannabis is inhaled, THC reaches the bloodstream through the lungs within minutes. When it is eaten or swallowed, it passes through the digestive system and the liver first. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) explains it this way: "When you eat or drink cannabis products, THC is broken down in the liver and transforms into the metabolite 11-Hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), which is several times more potent than THC when it is smoked." That is why the effects of an edible arrive slowly and stay for hours. (Source: NYS OCM, Information for Consumers)

New York's edible rules

Every edible sold by a licensed New York dispensary comes from a New York licensed processor and must follow state manufacturing, potency, packaging and labeling rules:

• 10 mg total THC per serving, 100 mg total THC per package for orally ingested products. Tinctures are the one exception: still 10 mg total THC per serving, but up to 1,000 mg total THC per package. (Source: 9 NYCRR 123.6)
• Servings must be identifiable. Solid multi-serving edibles must be scored to indicate one serving; non-solid products must be packaged so a single serving is readily identifiable or easily measurable; beverages may contain no more than a single serving per package. (Source: 9 NYCRR 123.6)
• No shapes that could appeal to people under 21. Products may not be in the shape of, or imprinted with, a human being, animal, insect, or fruit. (Source: 9 NYCRR 123.6)
• Lab testing. Every lot is tested for cannabinoid content and for contaminants, and labeled potency must fall within a defined range of the lab result, as required by New York State. (Source: NYS OCM Part 128 guidance)
• Required label warnings include "This product contains cannabis and THC," "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS. For use only by persons 21 years of age and older," the Poison Center number, and, for edibles, "Warning: Effects of this product may be delayed by 4 or more hours." (Source: NYS OCM Part 128 guidance)

OCM's guidance to consumers is to buy only from licensed dispensaries, because those products are lab tested and labeled accurately, while unregulated products are not. Our Reading Labels page walks through a compliant New York label, and our NY Cannabis Laws page covers the wider rules.

Timing: what New York's guidance says

Stage	OCM's stated range	What it means for you
Onset and full effects	1 to 4 hours	Feeling nothing after an hour is normal. Do not take more yet.
Duration	4 to 12 hours	Plan the rest of your day or evening around it, including a sober ride.

OCM states that some forms of cannabis, like edibles, can take 1 to 4 hours to feel the full effects, and advises waiting at least two hours before consuming more. Timing varies from person to person. (Sources: NYS OCM, Information for Consumers; NYS OCM, Know Your Edibles)

Serving size

OCM's guidance is to start with a low serving size: "For someone who is new to cannabis and consuming an edible, that may mean between 2.5 to 5 milligrams." OCM also puts it plainly: "You can always take more if you aren't feeling the effects, but you cannot take less." Wait at least two hours before considering any more. A higher THC number does not mean a better experience.

Many New York edibles are sold in 2.5 mg or 5 mg pieces. Ask a budtender to point those out when we carry them; our menu currently lists flower and pre-rolls, with more categories added as they arrive. If you divide a scored 10 mg piece, cut along the score line and understand that a "half" may be somewhat more or less than 5 mg. One serving under New York rules is at most 10 mg total THC; taking more than one serving increases the chance of an uncomfortable experience, and there is no need to do so.

Reading the label: per piece versus per package

New York labels must show total THC in milligrams per serving and per package, plus the number of servings. A package labeled "100 mg" is not one serving; it is usually 10 or 20 pieces. Find the milligrams per piece and work from there. If the label also lists CBD, note that CBD does not cancel out THC: a 1:1 product still contains all the THC stated on the label.

Other things that affect how an edible is experienced

• Food. Many people report that effects come on differently on an empty stomach than after a meal. Individual responses vary.
• Alcohol. OCM states that using cannabis and alcohol at the same time can make you more impaired than using either substance alone.
• Medications and health conditions. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using cannabis if you take prescription medication or have a health condition. Cannabis is not recommended for use by persons who are pregnant or nursing.
• Tolerance. Tolerance can change over time. After a period away from cannabis, treat yourself as a new consumer again.

Do not drive

It is illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis in New York. With an edible you may feel fine when you leave the house and feel the full effects an hour or more later, and effects can last well into the next morning. OCM's advice: do not drive after consuming cannabis or ride with an impaired driver, and plan ahead for a sober ride or use public transportation. Cannabis may not be consumed in a motor vehicle, and cannabis cannot be taken across state lines, even to another state where adult-use cannabis is legal.

If someone has taken too much

Over-consuming cannabis can be overwhelming and may bring on a racing heart, dizziness, nausea, or confusion. OCM's guidance:

1. Stop. Do not consume any more cannabis.
2. Remember the effects are temporary.
3. Get comfortable. A quiet, familiar place; sit or lie down.
4. Hydrate and rest. Sip water, breathe slowly, sleep if you can.
5. Reach out. Ask someone you trust to stay with you. Do not drive.

Contact the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222, available 24/7, in case of an accidental consumption or a bad reaction, and call 911 in a medical emergency. If a child has consumed cannabis, contact the Poison Center immediately; if a pet has, contact the Poison Center or your veterinarian immediately. (Source: NYS OCM, Information for Consumers)

If you think your cannabis use is problematic, talk to your health care provider or a substance use counselor. You can also contact the New York State HOPEline 24/7 by texting HopeNY (467369), calling 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369), or visiting oasas.ny.gov/hopeline.

Storage: keep edibles away from children and pets

Edibles can resemble ordinary food, which is why storage matters. OCM reported nearly 670 New York emergency-department visits for cannabis poisoning in children in 2024, and that the Upstate New York Poison Center received more than 200 pediatric edible-exposure calls in 2025. (Source: NYS OCM poison prevention release, March 17, 2026)

• Keep edibles in their original child-resistant packaging and reseal it after every use.
• Store them locked, out of sight, and out of reach of children and pets, separate from regular food and drinks. A lock bag or lock box works well.
• Do not leave pieces out on a counter or nightstand, and dispose of waste in a closed-lid trash can.

Questions?

Our budtenders at 40-28 Murray Street in Flushing can walk you through serving sizes on any product we carry. Browse the online menu, read our Consumption Methods page, or contact us at 646-889-4071. In-store shopping is open to adults 21+ with valid government-issued photo ID. Online ordering, pickup and delivery are shown as coming soon on our menu; contact us for current details.

For use only by persons 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children and pets. If someone accidentally consumes cannabis, contact the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Consume responsibly. Cannabis can impair concentration and coordination. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of cannabis. Concerned about your cannabis use? Contact the New York State HOPEline by texting HopeNY (467369), calling 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369), or visiting oasas.ny.gov/hopeline. This page is educational information only and is not medical or legal advice; talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your health and a qualified attorney about legal questions. Pure Leaf Flower, Mirae Corp, New York State Office of Cannabis Management Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License OCM-RETL-25-000458. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.