Found on your dispensary label or estimated from strain guides.
Standard oven decarb is approx. 80-90%. Machines are higher.
Calculation Summary
Total THC in Batch:
0 mg
THC Per Serving:
0 mg
Why Precision Matters in Homemade Edibles
At Paramount Seed Farms, we believe that the difference between a therapeutic experience and an overwhelming “green-out” lies in the math. As more home growers master the art of cannabis harvesting, the transition into processing concentrates and edibles is the next logical step. However, many growers rely on guesswork, leading to batches that are either too weak to be effective or dangerously potent.
Our 2026 Cannabis Potency & Edible Dosage Calculator is designed to remove the “guesstimate” from your kitchen. Whether you are using high-quality flower or processing trim after a hand-trimming session, understanding the molecular conversion of cannabinoids is essential.
The Molecular Weight Formula (%THCA × 0.877)
Raw cannabis does not actually contain much Delta-9 THC. Instead, it is rich in THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid). To turn THCA into the psychoactive THC we want in edibles, we must apply heat—a process called decarboxylation. During this process, a carboxyl group is removed from the molecule, which effectively reduces the weight of the compound.
If your lab results say your flower is 20% THCA, you don’t actually have 200mg of THC per gram. After the carboxyl group is released as CO2, you only have about 175.4mg of THC. Failing to account for this 0.877 coefficient is the #1 mistake made by home cooks, often resulting in recipes that are mathematically inflated by over 12%.
Infusion Efficiency and the “Loss Factor”
Even with a perfect decarboxylation, you will never transfer 100% of the THC from the plant material into your butter or oil. Some cannabinoids remain trapped in the plant fibers, and some are lost during the filtering process.
- Stovetop Methods: Usually achieve 70-80% efficiency.
- Cannabutter Machines: Professional units can reach 90-95% efficiency due to consistent temperature control and internal agitation. Check out our review of the Best Cannabutter Machines 2026 to see which devices offer the best extraction rates.
How to Use This Calculator for Better Results
To get the most accurate results from our 2026 dosage tool, follow these steps to prepare your starting material.
1. Determine Your Starting Potency
If you grew the cannabis yourself using high-quality autoflower seeds, you can estimate potency based on the strain’s average. If you are using dispensary flower, look for the “THCA” percentage on the label rather than “Total THC.”
2. Decarboxylate Properly
Before infusing, you must heat your flower. We recommend 240°F (115°C) for 30-45 minutes. If you are unsure if your harvest is ready for processing, consult our guide on drying and curing cannabis, as moisture content significantly affects decarb efficiency.
3. Choose Your Infusion Medium
Cannabinoids are fat-soluble. The type of fat you use determines how well the THC is absorbed into your body:
- Coconut Oil / MCT Oil: High saturated fat content leads to the highest infusion rates and faster onset.
- Butter: Classic choice for weed brownies, though it has slightly lower absorption than MCT oil.
- Olive Oil: Great for savory dishes but lower in saturated fats.
Advanced Processing: Hash and Concentrates
If you aren’t using raw flower, this calculator still applies. Home growers often process their “sugar trim” into more potent forms before cooking. If you are using concentrates, your THCA percentage will be significantly higher (often 60-90%).
For those interested in making their own high-potency starting materials, we have detailed guides on:
When using hash or rosin, the infusion efficiency is usually near 100% because there is very little plant material left to “trap” the oils.
