Researchers Take Step Towards Establishing Standardized Cannabis Dose

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have created an Index of Cannabis Equivalence (ICE), a unique approach to standardized cannabis dosing across different consumption methods.

Published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, this study represents a significant step towards establishing cannabis dosing guidelines comparable to the standard drink for alcohol.

The shift towards more liberal legislation around cannabis has prompted calls from researchers and public health experts for a standard cannabis dose to help inform regulation, substance use guidelines, data collection and research.

Standard dosing units are also useful for communicating low-risk recommendations and dose-related effects, as well as for self-monitoring. 

To establish the ICE researchers analysed data from more than 1,300 participants aged 18 – 93, who had a history of cannabis use.  

Participants, who had varying experience with cannabis and consumed for a range of reasons, rated low, medium, and high doses across seven different consumption methods. Based on these findings, the ICE proposed equivalencies for “low-dose” cannabis consumption.

“Different cannabis consumption methods can produce varied psychoactive effects, which makes it difficult to establish comparable doses across products,” explains Dr Michelle St. Pierre, co-author and a member of the Therapeutic, Recreational and Problematic Substance Use Lab.

“The ICE addresses this challenge by providing user-informed equivalencies grounded in psychoactive effects, offering a practical framework to help individuals make informed decisions and better manage their cannabis use.”

The model identified that two puffs from a joint, pipe, or vaporizer, was equivalent to one 5 mg THC edible, a quarter dab of concentrate or one bong hit.

This was based on data from individuals with low tolerance for cannabis, ensuring the guidelines prioritize safety and accessibility, particularly for new or infrequent users.

The authors state: “The meaningful standardization of units of cannabis products in a manner similar to what has been achieved for alcohol represents a valuable step in establishing standard doses across different modes of cannabis administration.”

Co-author, Dr Zach Walsh of UBCO’s Department of Psychology, added: “By creating practical and user-centred guidelines, the ICE can support harm reduction, public health initiatives and consumer education while improving consistency in research and policy.”