Daily Dose Q&A
2026-01-08
What dose of THC will likely cause psychotropic effects? What dose will likely cause marked intoxication? 
"A dose of 0.15 to 0.30 mg/kg THC (ie, an individual oral dose of 10-20 mg THC) appears to be sufficient to achieve psychotropic effects, and a dose of 0.45 to 0.6 mg/kg of THC (ie, an individual oral dose of 30-40 mg of THC) should produce marked intoxication." Page, R. L., Allen, L. A., Kloner, R. A., Carriker, C. R., Martel, C., Morris, A. A., Piano, M. R., Rana, J. S., Saucedo, J. F., & American Heart Association Clinical Pharmacology Committee and Heart Failure and Transplantation Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. (2020). Medical marijuana, recreational cannabis, and cardiovascular health: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 142(10), e131-e152. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000883
2026-01-07
What lifestyle factors affect the density/expression of CB1 receptors?
The density/expression of CB1 receptors may be affected by lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, stress and consumption of cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids. (Long term cannabis use leads to downregulation of CB1 receptors in the brain, and this downregulation leads to tolerance.) Gorelick, D. A. (2023). Cannabis-related disorders and toxic effects. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389, 2267-2275. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2306065 and Wilson, G., Yang, L., Su, X., Ding, S., Li, L., Yang, Y., Wang, X., Wang, W., Sa, Y., Zhang, Y., Chen, J., & Ma, X. (2023, October 31). Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds modulating the endocannabinoid system in various diseases and disorders: Review. Pharmacological Reports.
2026-01-06
Is the extent of absorption of CBD impacted by the co-administration of food?
Yes, the co-administration of CBD with a high-fat meal significantly increases the absorption of CBD compared to ingesting CBD under fasting conditions or co-administration with a high-carbohydrate meal. In fact, according to studies evaluating the metabolism of Epidiolex, consuming CBD with fatty foods may increase the blood levels of CBD by as much as 4-5 times. Cunha, M. F. D., Funnell, M. P., Johnson, D. A., Nickels, M., Bailey, S. J., Heaney, L. M., & James, L. J. (2025). A prior high-fat meal increases plasma cannabidiol concentrations compared to an isoenergetic high-carbohydrate meal in healthy young participants: A randomised crossover study. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 84(OCE4), E254.
Huestis, M. A. (2007). Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 4(8), 1770-1804. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.200790152
Welty, T. E., Chapman, K. E., Faught, R. E., & Kotloski, R. J. (2019). American Epilepsy Society (AES): Written comments to Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): On Docket ID# FDA-2019-N-1482, scientific data and information about products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds; public hearing; request for comments: Submitted on July 16, 2019. Epilepsy Currents, 19(6), 361-368. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535759719878716
2026-01-05
Are marijuana and most cannabis-derived compounds classified as Schedule I controlled substances? If so, why?
According to the US Federal Government's Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana and most cannabis-derived compounds remain classified as Schedule I controlled substances (at the FEDERAL level) because they have a high potential for abuse and lack an accepted medical use. CBD products that do NOT contain more than 0.3% __-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry weight basis meet the definition of hemp and therefore are not Schedule I substances. Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801-971. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2014-title21/html/USCODE-2014-title21-chap13-subchapI.htm
2025-12-31
CBD oil products may be sold as full spectrum, broad spectrum, CBD isolate or whole plant CBD. What is the difference among the four types of CBD oil products?
Full spectrum CBD extract contains CBD and other cannabinoids (including up to 0.3% THC), terpenes, and essential oils.
Unlike full spectrum CBD, broad spectrum CBD does not contain THC, but it does contain the other components found in full spectrum CBD.
CBD isolate is CBD in its molecular form and is typically sold as 99+% pure.
Whole plant CBD is similar to, but not the same as full spectrum CBD. Whole plant and full spectrum CBD contain a variety of cannabinoids; however, whole plant CBD will also contain fats, waxes, and other fibrous materials. Norton, M. (2020, August). To CBD or not to CBD? What pharmacists need to know. Pharmacy Today, 26(8), 41-55.
Sagar, K. A., & Gruber, S. A. (2025). The complex relationship between cannabis use and mental health: Considering the influence of cannabis use patterns and individual factors. CNS Drugs. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-024-01091-1