How Much THC Is in a Joint?

Have you ever wondered how much THC you're taking in as you puff, puff, pass? Among the many questions you ask yourself while enjoying a joint, this one might be more ascertainable than others.

Key Takeaways

• The amount of THC in a joint depends on a few things such as the manufacturer, the size of the joint, and the THC content in the cannabis flower itself.
• Your THC intake and absorption will be determined by your inhalation technique, the ratio of rolling paper to product, your body's bioavailability, and a few other factors.
• There are several different ways to consume cannabis, such as edibles, smoking, vaping, and tinctures. The various methods of consumption will affect the onset time of effects as well as the duration of the experience.

See Related: Is Recreational Marijuana Legal In Ohio?

Let's First Understand the Effects of THC

Before we get into assessing how much THC is in a joint, let's take a step back. To bring everyone up to speed (perhaps an ironic phrase to use, considering most are seeking a more relaxed and mellow experience with weed), let's establish what THC is and how it affects the body.

To put it bluntly (pun intended) it's what causes one to feel "high" and hopefully have an overall enjoyable experience. In more scientific terms, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant material.

THC is responsible for the euphoric feelings, but its effects can vary depending on the individual and how it's consumed. Since it impacts every individual differently, it can be difficult to determine precise doses. Starting small and adjusting over time is always a reasonable approach when deciding how much cannabis to consume.

Whether consumption occurs through joints, edibles, vaporizing, or other methods, there are ways to determine the amount of THC present and estimate the intake.

Factors That Affect the THC Content

We generally gauge the potency of cannabis by its level of THC, even if other cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBN play a part in the overall experience you might have.

Depending on the strain and particular processing methods, the exact percentage of THC in an individual cannabis product can vary widely. The manner and length of time in which cannabis is stored will also impact potency.

So How Much THC Is in a Joint?

Yes - let's get back to the original question! While there is some variability involved, it makes sense to find a starting place.

So let's start with an average. The average joint contains around 100 mg of THC. That said, it's hard to substantiate because most people are not stopping by a clinic with their joints for lab testing. 

It's probably more helpful to offer a range when we're talking THC potency since it's also changed over time.

How many milligrams are in most joints? The THC in a joint ranges between 40mg to 200mg. However, as stated above, this depends on the strain and source of the joint. The way cannabis is stored can also influence the potency of the THC.

The size of the joint, which relates directly to the amount of cannabis it contains will also obviously affect the THC content.

If you're going to smoke a smaller joint, it's probably safe to assume there will be less marijuana (thus less THC) than a pre roll passed to you by Snoop Dogg, which might have more marijuana (therefore more THC). By the way, since you're hanging with Snoop, please tell him he did an amazing job at the Olympics.

Finding the exact amount of THC in a joint from a pack of pre rolls you just purchased may be as simple as reading the label. If it's not spelled out in milligrams per joint, then you can use the formula: weight of joint in milligrams x THC percentage = total milligrams of THC in a joint.

How to Calculate the Amount of THC in a Joint

If you're not buying pre rolls, but rather rolling your joints, you can still determine the amount of THC.

To perform a manual calculation, we recommend having a kitchen scale and calculator. On a side note, you may not want to be under the influence while attempting math...though for some folks cannabis can heighten focus, so you do you!

To Calculate How Much THC Is in a Joint, You’ll Need To:

• Weigh both the rolling paper and filter on your kitchen scale.
• Zero out the scale so the paper and filter don’t affect your calculations.
• Remove the paper and filter from the scale.
• Roll your joint.
• Place the rolled joint onto the scale and take note of its weight in milligrams.
• To determine the total amount of THC, use the formula from above: weight of joint in milligrams x THC percentage (listed on the package or dispensary's website) = total milligrams of THC in the joint.

This process will give you the amount of THC in a joint. However, that's not the amount of THC that will ultimately be absorbed into your system. For that, there are some additional considerations.

Bonus: Does CBD Make You Hungry?

How Much THC Does One Actually Intake?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind (literally). While we can provide a rough estimate, the actual THC absorbed in your system depends on several factors.

The amount of THC in a joint is not equivalent to how much THC you intake. So, when smoking cannabis, everything from the wind to your weight to your lungs alveoli is likely to play a part. Yes, it’s true that random factors like wind speed while you take a hit can impact the amount of THC consumed.

And in case you're wondering what alveoli are, it's not a new pasta shape. They are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange between the inspired air and the blood occurs. In other words, it's something to make you sound smart the next time you're sharing a joint with a friend.

Let's take a closer look at the intake and absorption of THC.

Methods of Intake and Absorption of THC

What factors into the equation of THC absorption? A few things. 

It's important to reiterate that the THC content in a joint (or gummy) is not what will ultimately be absorbed by the body. Bioavailability is the proportion of a drug that enters the blood in your body and is able to have an active effect.

First, let's talk about the method of intake. Different methods of consuming cannabis, such as smoking, vaping, and edibles, can affect THC absorption and onset of effects.

Absorption via inhalation

When you smoke a joint, the THC is absorbed through the lungs to the central nervous system, and the effects can be felt within minutes.

The bioavailability of THC when you smoke a joint is estimated to be between 2% and 56%. This wide range is due to factors like puff technique. These smoking dynamics include the inhalation amount and duration, as well as the time between hits. 

Another smoking method, like a bong, will land you somewhere within this range. With vaporization, the cannabinoids also enter the system through the lungs and you can expect a similar intake of THC.

Absorption Via the Oral Route

Edibles, like gummies or chocolates, are swallowed and head to the digestive system. THC gets absorbed in the small intestine, then makes its way to the liver, and finally enters the blood circulation. The bioavailability of THC through this oral route is approximately 10-20%.

Compared to joints, edibles have a delayed onset or impact. So pro tip: take 'er easy and don't overdo it if you're new to the world of weed.

Absorption Via Sublingual or Oromucosal Route

Cannabis products like sprays or tinctures are consumed sublingually, meaning under the tongue. Although they are also taken through the mouth, it's generally not considered the same as oral administration because of the different absorption locations.

As detailed above, oral consumption implies absorption in the digestive system, while sublingual or oromucosal implies the oral cavity, and has a faster absorption, typically taking just seconds or minutes. However, studies suggest that oral administration has similar bioavailability and effects as sublingual intake.

Other Factors Impacting Absorption

Your body weight and individual metabolism can have an impact on the absorption of THC.

THC metabolism, the process by which your body breaks down THC into both psychoactive and inactive components, may be influenced by genetic differences in enzymes. Roughly 25% of people possess a gene that causes their enzymes to break down THC less effectively, which leads to an increase in the strength and duration of the effects.

Final Thoughts

Next time you smoke a joint, don’t worry about all those unknowable questions. Focus on what you do know. You can calculate exactly how much THC is causing your brain to be so inquisitive in the first place.

We'll leave you with these nuggets (pun intended again) of wisdom:

• Knowing the amount of THC in your joints can enhance your ability to learn how it affects your unique body.
• By calculating the content of THC, and considering factors like bioavailability and puff technique, you can optimize your cannabis consumption.
• Consume cannabis responsibly and in the words of The Dude, always abide.

Keep Reading: How Long Does THCa Stay In Your System?

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