THC gummies are the most popular way to try THC in the US, and for good reason: they're easy to dose, easy to carry and they taste like candy. They're also the format people most often get wrong, usually by eating a second one because the first "isn't working." This guide covers what THC gummies are, how they work, what each dose feels like and how to choose one, including our own THC gummies in 5mg, 10mg and 15mg.
The 30-second version
- THC gummies are edibles: chewy gummies with a measured dose of THC, the compound in cannabis that makes you feel high. Ours use hemp-derived delta-9 THC.
- Start at 2.5mg to 5mg if you're new. 10mg is a standard dose. 15mg and up is for experienced users.
- Standard gummies take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in. Rapid-onset gummies like ours are made to work faster, often in 10 to 15 minutes.
- Effects can last 4 to 8 hours, longer than a THC drink.
- One gummy, then wait two hours before you think about another. Never drive, and don't mix with alcohol. Adults 21+ only.
What Are THC Gummies?
THC gummies are gummy candies made with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid responsible for cannabis's "high." Each gummy carries a set amount of THC, printed in milligrams on the pack, so you know what you're taking without measuring anything.
Most THC gummies sold online, including ours, use hemp-derived delta-9 THC. It's the same delta-9 THC molecule found in marijuana, extracted from hemp plants and used in small, measured amounts. Many gummies also contain CBD or other cannabinoids, which change how the THC feels. If you've heard them called weed gummies, cannabis gummies or edibles, it's the same idea.
How Do THC Gummies Work?
When you eat a gummy, the THC is digested and processed by your liver, which turns some of it into 11-hydroxy-THC. That compound is more potent and longer-lasting than THC on its own, which is why edibles can feel stronger than the same amount inhaled, and why they last longer.
Standard gummies: usually 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, because the THC has to make it through your stomach first. That slow start is why people "double up" and regret it. More in what changes how fast THC gummies kick in.
Rapid-onset gummies: made so the THC is absorbed sooner. Ours are rapid onset, and many people feel them in about 10 to 15 minutes. Food, sleep and your own metabolism still shift the timing, so give it the full two hours before deciding it's not working.
Once it arrives, a gummy's effect typically peaks within a couple of hours and fades over 4 to 8 hours, depending on the dose. Here's the full timeline in how long THC gummies last.
What Do THC Gummies Feel Like?
At a low dose, most people describe a relaxed, easy mood: shoulders drop, music and food get better, conversation flows. At higher doses the effect gets heavier: a stronger body feeling, time stretching out, and eventually the "couch-lock" edibles are known for. In our own reviews, the things gummy customers mention most are the taste, feeling relaxed and sleep.
What a gummy won't do, if you get the dose right, is take over your evening. The feeling should be pleasant and manageable. If it's more than you wanted, it passes: drink some water, eat something and get comfortable.
THC Gummy Doses: How Much Is a Lot?
Three strengths, and who each one is for.
2 to 2.5mg: a microdose
Half of a 5mg gummy. A slight lift for most people, nothing at all for some. The right place to start if you've never had THC. See our guide to 2mg THC effects.
5mg: a low dose
Noticeable, gentle and still very much yourself. Many people never need more. Our 5mg THC gummies pair 5mg of THC with 50mg of CBD for a mellow, balanced feel.
10mg: a standard dose
Many adult-use states treat 10mg as one serving of an edible. Clearly stronger than 5mg, and too much for many first-timers. Read is 10mg too much for your first edible? before you start here. Our 10mg THC gummies add 1.5mg each of CBN, CBG and CBC.
15 to 20mg: experienced users
A strong dose for people with a real tolerance. Our 15mg THC gummies balance 15mg of THC with 15mg of CBD. For where 20mg sits, see is 20mg of THC a lot?
100mg and up: not a single serving
You'll see 100mg and even 200mg gummies for sale. For almost everyone, that's many servings in one piece, not a dose. We explain why in is a 100mg gummy strong? (including how it compares with a joint) and is 200mg THC too strong?
How to Choose THC Gummies
The dose per gummy. Look for mg of THC per gummy, not just per pack. A pack that says "200mg" tells you nothing until you know how many pieces are in it.
What else is in it. CBD and minor cannabinoids like CBN, CBG and CBC change the feel. A CBD-heavy gummy tends to feel softer than THC alone.
Onset. Standard or rapid onset? If you want to know where you stand within the hour, rapid onset is easier to pace.
Lab reports. A good brand publishes third-party lab results you can match to your batch. Ours are on our lab results page.
Ingredients. Ours are made with pectin rather than gelatin, with tapioca syrup, real fruit flavors and natural colors.
Our THC Gummies
Every Little Rick THC gummy is rapid onset, made with hemp-derived delta-9 THC and lab tested. Five flavors: Cherry, Mix Fruits, Raspberry, Strawberry and Watermelon.
5mg ($14.99 a pouch): 5mg THC + 50mg CBD. The easy start. Try Strawberry 5mg or Mix Fruits 5mg.
10mg ($18.99 a pouch): 10mg THC + 1.5mg each of CBN, CBG and CBC. Try Watermelon 10mg or Mix Fruits 10mg.
15mg ($23.99 a pouch): 15mg THC + 15mg CBD, for experienced users. Mix Fruits 15mg.
We ship to 42 states. In Georgia, we can deliver our 5mg and 10mg gummies but not the 15mg. Prefer to buy in person? Find THC gummies near you on our store locator.
THC Gummies vs. THC Drinks
Same THC, different experience. A THC drink usually kicks in within 15 to 45 minutes and lasts 2 to 4 hours, and you can sip it slowly over an evening. A gummy lasts longer, often 4 to 8 hours, and once it's eaten, it's eaten.
Pick a gummy for a long, slow evening at home, travel days or when you don't want to carry cans.
Pick a drink for social nights, when you want a glass in your hand, or when you want to pace yourself sip by sip.
The full comparison is in THC drinks vs. edibles.
How to Take THC Gummies Well
Start low. Half a 5mg gummy if you're new, one 5mg if you've had THC before.
Wait two hours before a second, even with rapid onset.
Eat something. An empty stomach can make the effect come on harder.
Skip the alcohol. THC and alcohol together hit harder than either alone.
Never drive after a gummy, and plan your evening so you don't have to.
Store them like medicine, sealed, cool and out of reach of kids and pets. Here's how to store THC gummies, and whether THC gummies expire.
Not feeling anything? There are a few common reasons, from tolerance to timing: why edibles might not work for you.
A note on the law. Hemp-derived THC products are regulated by both federal and state law, and the rules have been changing. For where things stand, read The Hemp THC Ban, Explained and are THC drinks legal? Our checkout only ships to places where our products are allowed. Flying? Read flying with THC gummies first.
Our Take
Vasilios Kottas Bonel, Little Rick
We made our gummies rapid onset because the slow start is where most bad edible nights begin: someone waits 40 minutes, feels nothing, eats another, and then both arrive at once. A faster gummy takes away most of that guesswork. The other half is on you: pick the lowest dose that sounds right, give it two hours, and enjoy the night. You can always have more next time.
FAQs
What are THC gummies?
Gummy candies made with a measured dose of THC, the cannabinoid that makes you feel high. Ours use hemp-derived delta-9 THC, with CBD or other cannabinoids depending on the strength.
What do THC gummies do?
At low doses, most people feel relaxed and in a good mood. At higher doses the effect is stronger and heavier, with a more noticeable body feeling. Effects depend on the dose, your tolerance and what you've eaten.
How long do THC gummies take to kick in?
Standard gummies usually take 30 minutes to 2 hours. Rapid-onset gummies like ours are made to work faster, often in 10 to 15 minutes. Either way, wait two hours before taking more.
How long do THC gummies last?
Usually 4 to 8 hours, depending on the dose and the person. Higher doses last longer. See how long THC gummies last.
Is a 10mg THC gummy a lot?
For a first-timer, yes, it can be. 10mg is a standard dose for people who've had THC before. Start with 2.5mg to 5mg if you're new.
What's the difference between THC and CBD gummies?
THC gummies make you feel high. CBD gummies don't. Many THC gummies, including ours, contain both, and CBD can make the THC feel softer and more balanced.
Are THC gummies legal?
Hemp-derived delta-9 THC gummies are sold legally in many states, but state rules differ and federal rules have been changing. Check your state's rules, and buy from a brand that only ships where its products are allowed.
Can THC gummies show up on a drug test?
Yes. Any THC can show up on a drug test. If you're tested, skip them. More in how long THC stays in your system.
Where can I buy THC gummies?
Online from brands that ship to your state, or in stores where the law allows. Order Little Rick THC gummies online, or find them near you on our store locator.
Find your dose. Little Rick THC gummies come in 5mg, 10mg and 15mg, rapid onset, in five fruit flavors. One-off orders earn 5% back in Rick Rewards, and you and a friend each get $10 when you refer them. Adults 21+ only.
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Sources
Cannabis and your health (CDC)
Cannabis laws and regulations (California Department of Cannabis Control)
The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017)
