Using medical cannabis for health is not one size fits all, it is a journey. With time, quality education and support we can help you find what works best for you. At Harvest Medicine, we believe in empowering our patients with the tools and guidance they need to take control of their health. Our practitioners will work one on one with you to build a customized treatment plan that is based on clinical data and your personal health goals, experience & comfort level.
Our passionate healthcare team of medical cannabis professionals are here to support you every step of the way.
Whether you are an experienced medical cannabis patient looking for more guidance, or a new patient exploring your options, we are here for you. For more information about your customized dosing regimen, you may book an appointment online or give a call
at 1-844-488-4633.
One of the most common questions we receive is "how much should I take?"
This can be a difficult question to answer, medical cannabis dosing can be complicated as it is customized for each individual. Here are some general recommendations to get started:
The information represented on this page is meant only as a supportive educational tool and is not a substitute for medical advice.
Important reminders:
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Start low and go slow
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Take the time to journal your progress by printing and writing in our patient journal, which can be found online here or you may digitally track your progress by using the Strainprint App. You can download for android or apple devices.
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Set aside 5 minutes at the end of each week to reflect on your progress
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Products that are consumed by ingestion such as oils, capsules or softgels have a delayed onset of approximately 1-2 hours and can last up to 6-12 hours. If it is your first time trying cannabis by ingestion, including edibles, be sure to wait at least 4 hours before a second dose.
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Ingestible products work best if consumed along with a snack or meal that has healthy fats. This helps the medication absorb and work more efficiently.
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Products consumed by inhalation such as dried flower or vape pens have a fast onset, usually within seconds to minutes, and have a shorter duration of action that is approximately 2-4 hours.
Here are a few examples of what it may look like to get started with a treatment plan for medical cannabis oils. As these are samples, it is imperative that you follow your individual directives from your Harvest Medicine Care Team.
Example 1: CBD Regular Start
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Start with 12.5mg twice daily, generally in the morning and suppertime or early evening.
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Increase by 2.5mg every 4 days until symptom management is achieved or until you have reached a daily dose of 75mg/day. Continue using the dose at which symptomatic relief was achieved.
Timeline | Daily Dose # 1 | Daily Dose #2 |
Day 1-3 | 12.5mg | 12.5mg |
Day 4-6 | 15mg | 15mg |
Day 7-9 | 17.5mg | 17.5mg |
Example 2: CBD Extended Start
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Start with 12.5mg twice daily for 7 days, generally in the morning and suppertime or early evening.
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Increase by 2.5mg each week until symptom management is achieved.
Timeline | Daily Dose # 1 | Daily Dose #2 |
Week 1 | 12.5mg | 12.5mg |
Week 2 | 15mg | 15mg |
Week 3 | 17.5mg | 17.5mg |
It can take up to 6-12 weeks to feel the maximum benefits of CBD oil, although some patients may find varying degrees of relief within the first few days or weeks.
Please note that the amount of medical ingredients ingested per dose may vary slightly based on the concentration of your medicine, but most ingestible CBD oils average 20-25 mg/ml. Be sure to know the concentration of your oils to best titrate your medication. A few CBD oils are coming to market that contain above average concentrations.
Example 3: THC or Balanced Start
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Start with 2mg 90 minutes before bedtime increase by 2mg every 3 nights, if needed*, until symptom management is achieved or until a maximum of 10mg.
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Help reduce THC-tolerance by taking a “THC-holiday” by skipping a day or two, when possible.
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Do not consume THC products prior to, or during, activities that require your full concentration, driving or operating heavy machinery.
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Do not mix THC with alcohol.
Timeline | Night Dose |
Day 1-2 | 2mg |
Day 3-4 | 4mg* |
Day 5-6 | 6mg* |
Your dosing syringe may look like the image below, with 0.1ml graduations for easy titration up to your optimal dose. With consistent daily use, sometime the numbers can wear off. A helpful tip from our staff: once you achieve your optimal daily dose, you can use tape or permanent marker to mark where to prefill the syringe to. You can also contact your licensed producer (LP) directly if you need additional dosing syringes. Check out the available medical cannabis oils from various LP’s on our Price Watch page.
It is important to note here that side effects may occur after consuming cannabis products. Each person experiences, metabolizes and reacts to medical cannabis in their own unique way. Not everyone will experience side effects and for those who do, it may be more or less intense than others. The method of consumption and amount used will also be determining factors for experienced side effects.
Potential side effects include:
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Dry eyes and mouth
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Drowsiness and fatigue
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Feeling faint or lightheaded
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Headache
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Diarrhea
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Impaired memory
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Increased risk of falls
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Disturbances in attention & concentration
Be sure to let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms at your next follow-up appointment. In the case of severe side effects or severe allergic reactions, please call 9-1-1.
To continue your medical cannabis education, or if you have questions about your current treatment plan, please use the button below to explore more of Harvest Medicine’s informative webpages or give us a call. Be sure to visit our insurance coverage page to see if your private insurance covers medical cannabis!
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