How Much THC are in Joints & Blunts?

We all check the numbers, right?

We go to the dispensary, we tell them what sort of pre-roll we are looking for, maybe tell the budtender what kind of feeling we're looking to get from it and then, we all look right at those lab reports: what is the potency of this pre-roll?

Is it the best way to pick out a pre-roll? No, probably not, but we all still want to know: how much THC is in this joint or blunt?

But even then, it's still pretty vague, right? What exactly does "THC = 22%" mean, anyway? Like, 22% of what? How much THC is that? How can I tell how much THC is in my pre-roll?

Believe it or not, it's not as complicated as it might seem. It's a bit of math, but don't worry, the DaySavers can walk you through it.

What is THC?

Let's start with the basics here, and feel free to skip ahead if you just need the equation.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is what is known as a "cannabinoid," or a chemical found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis produces hundreds of these cannabinoids, each with a different chemical structure that reacts in a different way with the endocannabinoid system found in our bodies. Some are psychoactive, meaning it affects the brain, and some aren't.

THC is the most famous cannabinoid because it produces the classic "high" we associate with cannabis and it is the primary cannabinoid modern plants are bred to produce. In fact, I had one producer tell me one time that they were "cannabinoid farmers" because the true value was not in the plant itself, but the chemicals it produced.

But here's the thing: there's not actually any THC in the plant. Instead, cannabis produces what is called THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), which turns into THC when it is exposed to heat and loses a carbon dioxide molecule, a process called decarboxylation, or "decarbing."

In fact, the THC percentages on your flower and pre-roll labels are created by measuring the THCA and multiplying it by 0.87 to give you the THC potential of any given product (this accounts for the amount lost during decarbing).

That percentage – which is figured during required laboratory testing – is the actual percentage weight of the plant that is THC.

So Seriously, How Much THC is In My Pre-Roll?

Ok, so let's get down to it. You're here to figure out just how much THC is in that pre-roll, not a chemistry lesson, though it was important because it is one of the variables in our equation.

There are three factors we need to take into consideration: flower weight, THC percentage, and how much of that THC actually converts to available/active THC.

The basic formula looks like this:

THC (mg) = Flower weight (g) × 1000 × THC%

So let's plug in an example, and let's keep it simple:

Let's say you have a 1-gram pre-roll with a tested THC percentage of 22%. First, convert your percentage to a decimal (22% = 0.22). That gives us:

THC (mg) = 1(g) x 1000 x 0.22(THC)

That gives us an answer of 220 milligrams of THC in that 1-gram pre-roll. But remember, that's just the potential THC in the product. Not every milligram makes it into your lungs. There is side stream smoke, the bits that burn while you are holding and exhaling, not to mention the size of your puff and how much your body absorbs.

But you get the idea.

It gets a little trickier with an infused pre-roll because the math has to include both the flower and the concentrate. Some brands will tell you the total THC percentage of the infused pre-roll, others might tell you the individual percentages of the flower and concentrate.

If it's the latter, you also need to factor in the concentrates. For example, on a full gram king size pre-rolled cone that is coated with kief, there is about 0.3g of kief (let's say it tests at 45%, just to get a nice round number). So the math gets a bit more nuanced, but still pretty straight forward:

• Flower: 0.8g × 1000 × 20% = 160mg
• Kief: 0.3g × 1000 × 45% = 135mg
• Distillate coating: 50mg (already in mg on most COAs)
• Total: 345mg potential THC

THC Does Not Tell the Whole Story

While potency is consistently the top thing we consumers look for, according to the data and surveys, the truth is that a pure THC high is not always the best high. It's why distillate vapes can sometimes leave you feeling wanting while a sun-grown flower with a 17% THC percentage can knock you onto your butt.

There difference is the other cannabinoids in your flower. Remember we said that cannabis produces hundreds of these chemicals in various percentages, and while most modern producers breed for THC (it is THE number we all look at when buying, after all...), the inclusion of minor cannabinoids can change and enhance the experience by working together through what is known as "the entourage effect."

Basically, the way the cannabinoids combine together – often with terpenes, the flavor and scent molecules that are formed in the same part of the plant (trichomes) – changes how each strain affects the body.

Most states require that labels will also give the percentage of CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid most identified with the medical marijuana industry (calculated the same way: CBDA × 0.877), as well as a few others (sometimes CBN and CBG, for example) and often a "total cannabinoids" percentage as well.

I personally look for a lower THC number and a higher Total Cannabinoid total. But that's the great thing about packing your own pre-rolls, you can find the strains that have the numbers (and therefore the effect) that you like best. You can even combine strains to make a personalized blend. Add in the paper of your choice and your favorite filter tip and boom; your pre-roll your way.

(Note: if you are mixing strains, be sure to do the math for each strain individually and then add it up to get the total...)

Final Thoughts on How Much THC is in Your Pre-Roll

We all want to know how much THC is in our flower, and brands know it; breeding plants with higher and higher amounts of THC to appeal to consumers focused on getting the most bang for their buck.

But no matter what flower you buy or pre-roll you pick up, calculating the amount of THC in your pre-roll is the same: Look for the THC percentage required in every label and then plug it into the following formula:

THC (mg) = Flower weight (g) × 1000 × THC%

That will give you the amount of THC (in milligrams) in your pre-roll and help you better understand exactly what the effects might be.

And knowing that is often the first step to Enjoy Your Day.