Cannabinoid content is one of the top considerations when choosing cannabis products. But it can be difficult to understand how this content is represented on cannabis product labels. Here’s how to tell how much THC or CBD is in the product you’re buying.
The amount of THC and CBD may be one of your top considerations when choosing cannabis products. While you may see some of the cannabis plant’s many cannabinoids referenced on product packaging, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and cannabidiol, or CBD, content must be listed, as these two cannabinoids are primarily responsible for the effects of cannabis.
Even though the information is there to help you make an informed decision, cannabis product labels can be difficult to understand. The THC and CBD content is listed in at least two ways:
You’ll see this information represented as different units of measure depending on the product format.
So how do you know how much of each cannabinoid is in the product you’re buying? Read on to learn how to understand the THC and CBD content listed on cannabis product labels.
While Licensed Producers may call out the cannabinoid content per unit or using another measurement, you’ll always find the THC and CBD content expressed on a product label in at least two ways — as “THC” and “CBD,” and “total THC” and “total CBD.” It’s important to know the difference:
For dried cannabis, there will be a difference between these two content numbers, but for products like edibles or capsules, the numbers will typically be the same. Keep reading to learn why.
Cannabinoids are activated by time and heat. During the drying process, some cannabinoids are activated, which is why dried flower contains a small amount of THC and CBD. Once it’s heated, however, the cannabinoids are activated and increase, allowing them to produce potential effects. This heating process is called decarboxylation.
Dried flower and products intended for heating
For products that are meant to be heated before consumption, like dried flower, the first numbers (“THC” and “CBD”) will be considerably lower than the “total” numbers because they represent the inactive state of the purchased product. The “total” numbers represent the level of cannabinoids after they’ve been activated through decarboxylation — so, in the case of dried flower, once you’ve lit a joint or switched on your vaporizer.
Ingestible products
In ingestible products, like edibles and capsules, and vape carts filled with distillate, however, the cannabinoids have already been activated through processing and are ready for consumption, so both sets of numbers will typically be the same. (Vapes are not as straightforward: While the distillate in vapes has been fully decarboxylated, full-spectrum oil contains unactivated cannabinoids that will cause the numbers to vary.)
Cannabis oil
For extracts in packaging that dispenses a specific amount, such as an ingestible cannabis oil with a precise dropper or spray top, you’ll see “total THC per activation” and “total CBD per activation,” meaning how much is in each spray or drop.
To ensure the cannabinoid content is listed precisely for each product, it is measured differently depending on the format. Dried flower, extracts, vape cartridges and ingestible oils list cannabinoid content in milligrams per milligram of product, while pre-roll, beverage, topical and capsule content is measured in the total cannabinoid content (in milligrams) per unit and/or per package.
You may also see a “less than” symbol (<) in front of a number — that just means the quantity of the cannabinoid detected in the product is so small it can’t be measured accurately.
To understand and compare the information on the different product formats, see the breakdown below. Knowing the difference between the numbers will help you understand and compare products, but be aware that cannabinoid content alone doesn’t equate to potential effects. The effects you may experience will vary, depending on variables such as the product category and method of consumption, as well as your genetic makeup, frequency of use, age, sex, current mood and any existing mental health conditions.
mg/g (milligrams per gram of dried flower)
mg/g (milligrams per gram)
THC 2.8 mg/g ,Total THC 66.7 mg/g
CBD 0.9 mg/g,Total CBD 102.1 mg/g
mg/unit (milligrams per individual capsule)
THC 10.0 mg/unit,Total THC 10.0 mg/unit
CBD 7.0 mg/unit,Total CBD 7.0 mg/unit
mg/g (milligrams per gram of oil) If the packaging dispenses a specific amount, it will also list “total THC per activation” and “total CBD per activation”
THC 15.0 mg/g,Total THC 15.0 mg/g
CBD 15.0 mg/g,Total CBD 15.0 mg/g
mg/g (milligrams per gram)
THC 0.0 mg/g ,Total THC 000 mg/g
CBD 0.0 mg/g,Total CBD 0.0 mg/g
mg (milligrams) or mg/g (milligrams per gram)
THC 375 mg,Total THC 375 mg
CBD 125 mg,Total CBD 125 mg
mg/unit (milligrams per individual edible) and/or mg (milligrams per entire package)
THC 1 mg/unit,Total THC 1 mg/unit
THC 2 mg,Total THC 2 mg
CBD 5 mg/unit,Total CBD 5 mg/unit
CBD 10 mg,Total CBD 10 mg
mg (milligrams)
THC 10 mg,Total THC 10 mg
CBD <1 mg,Total CBD <1 mg
mg/g (milligrams per gram)
THC 742.63 mg/g,Total THC 757.43 mg/g
CBD <5.00 mg/g, Total CBD <7.07 mg/g
Even though the world of cannabis has continued to experience changes every day, certain fundamental truths still hold. For example, decades ago (even when weed was illegal), people preferred getting their stash from one dealer they could trust and depend on, which is still the case today. Most marijuana enthusiasts, after trying out a new cannabis store and loving it, tend to stick by it for as long as possible.
In this digital world, where you can access hundreds of cannabis dispensaries from the comfort of your home, make sure your weed vendor is the best option you have.
A good dispensary provides a wide variety of products under the same roof while maintaining a sense of culture, style, and class. A good dispensary is also conveniently located and can facilitate delivery right to your doorstep.
At 6ix Cannabis, we pride ourselves in operating one of the best marijuana stores in the city and even the country. We are locally-owned and managed, which explains why you can feel the pulse of the city in everything we touch. If you’re looking for the best spot to buy weed in Ajax, look no further!