How Much THC is in a Joint: Exploring THC Content in Joints Mathematically

Based on a report published in 2016 by The New York Times, a normal cannabis joint containing 0.32 grams of cannabis yields around 64 milligrams of THC. Such joints are sold in the USA, containing 20% Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

While the values sound accurate, this isn’t an exact estimation. Factors like joint size, bioavailability, strain, and a few others significantly dictate the actual THC content you’ll be getting high on and its effects.

In this guide, we’ll cover the specific factors that determine how much THC is in a joint, how to calculate the THC level yourself, how much THC you’re actually getting, and more.

Average THC Quantity Per Joint

According to The New York Times, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy estimated in 2014 that marijuana’s average THC potency in joints was approximately around 5% in 2000. Then, it rose to 8% in 2010. This number is hypothesized to be increasing with every passing year. Today, you can get your hands on joints with a massive potency range of 15% to 20%!

On the other hand, when it comes to the average weight of cannabis per joint in the USA, Casual and scientific analyses have several guesses.

One study published in 2015 estimates that a typical pre-roll weighs at least 0.66 grams. An informal survey conducted by High Times among cannabis enthusiasts says one gram of weed per joint. The actual quantity may be much less, as per an analysis published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, which found the average cannabis weight to be only 0.32 grams per joint.

Compiled together, all the data show us one glaring fact: how THC in milligrams in a joint can widely vary among any given dispensary or US-based hemp brand like Habit CBD. The same data also helped us arrive at the conclusion that a joint sold in the USA will generally contain 64mg of THC at its peak and 16mg of THC at the minimum.

Average THC Quantity in Joints in Other Countries

If you’re traveling in countries where THC is legal, you might be surprised to know the typical milligrams of THC per joint sold there. The table below lists the amount of THC in a joint for countries with the highest annual prevalence of hemp use:

How to Calculate THC in Your Joint

It’s time for you to learn the method of calculating how much THC is in a joint. Let’s say you’re rolling your own joint, and you want to adjust the dosage of THC in it. For starters, you have to know how many THC milligrams you’re rolling in it. To measure, here’s a simple step-by-step instruction on how to calculate the exact THC in your joint.

Step 1: Get the Following Tools

• Pen
• Paper
• Calculator
• Small weight scale
• Rolling paper
• Filter (and/or other joint accessories)
• Cannabis (Delta-9 THC, THCA)
• COA (Certificate of Analysis) or the product packaging

Step 2: Weigh the Rolling Paper and Filter

Start by weighing the rolling paper that you’ll use, as well as its filter (if it has one), in one single reading. Write down the weight reading on a paper (in milligrams).

Step 3: Weigh the Newly Rolled Joint

Now, roll the joint with the cannabis as usual. Then, place the rolled joint on the weighing scale and take note of the reading in milligrams.

Minus the sum of the weight of your rolling paper and its accessories from the total weight of your joint with the hemp flower inside, and jot down the reading. The final reading is the total weight of cannabis you filled the rolling paper with.

Step 4: Find Out the THC Potency of Your Cannabis

Find the THC potency of the cannabis you’ve just rolled into a joint. It’s indicated chiefly as a percentage (%). This number can be found in the packaging of the product, the COA document attached to the product’s online description, or the product description page itself found online.

Step 5: Calculate the Quantity of THC in the Joint

Create a list of all the data you’ve gathered.

• The weight of the cannabis flower that’s rolled inside the rolling paper.
• THC potency of the weed used (convert into decimal).

Now, calculate the amount of THC in the joint you’ve just rolled using a simple mathematical formula:

What will you do if your cannabis strain’s potency is indicated as THCA?

We all know that THCA becomes THC once heated, but not ALL of THCA becomes THC. Only 87.7% of THCA converts into THC. That’s why the standard conversion rate of THCA to THC is 87.7% or 0.877.

With this out of the way, you probably want to find out how many milligrams of THC a rolled THCA flower yields. To do that, you must calculate how much THC converts into THCA first.

Here’s a hypothetical situation: Your cannabis contains 20% THCA. To calculate the values, use this formula:

20 (numerical value of the THCA potency) X 0.877 (standard conversion rate) = 17.54% (total THC converted from THCA)

Now, convert the extracted THC value of 17.54% into a decimal.

The answer is 0.1754.

Apply 0.1754 to the formula for calculating the total milligrams of THC rolled in a joint.

How Much THC Enters Your Bloodstream from a Joint

By using the mathematical formula we taught, you’ll reach a rough estimate of the THC content of the joint. However, it isn’t the exact amount you’ll get. There are variables, such as your smoking technique, combustion loss, strain, joint size, rolling method, and bioavailability, that play a big role in how THC goes into your bloodstream.

As you can see, there’s no straightforward answer.

To get closer to the truth, let’s take a closer look at how these factors affect the quantity of THC you’re getting.

• Bioavailability

When you take your medicine, only a certain amount of it will be absorbed by the body. The remaining amount will be converted into waste and then excreted as urine or feces. The same thing happens to THC in cannabis joints. Only a portion of the total THC milligrams gets absorbed into the bloodstream. This is the concept of bioavailability.

Since every individual is physiologically unique, we process THC differently. So, the bioavailability of THC in humans varies. However, it’s possible to ascertain the average range of THC’s bioavailability in humans.

An article published in the Journal of Chemistry & Biodiversity says that cannabis enthusiasts have a THC bioavailability ranging from 2% to 56%. So, if a joint initially has 64mg of THC, you’ll probably be only getting 32mg or less, not to mention the other factors that significantly reduce the dosage.

• Smoking Technique

How you smoke your joint determines how much THC enters your system and is processed in your body. If your technique leans too much on combustion, you might end up with an inefficient way of consuming THC.

To make sure you’re smoking efficiently, wait for the joint to light evenly before inhaling. Don’t take uneven, sharp breaths. Pull deeply, wait for the effects, and have fun.

• Combustion Loss

You naturally combust the joint and its contents when you’re smoking. Through combustion, a large amount of the total THC (roughly 40%) is lost due to high heat, sidestream smoke, continuously lit burning end, and incomplete inhalation.

• Strain

Cannabis is categorized into Indica or Sativa, with the former having a downer effect and the latter stimulating. Even further, cannabis is broken down into strains or breeds. Cannabis strains differ from each other in terms of genetics and cannabinoid content. Some strains will have considerably lower THC levels compared to others.

• Joint Size

A smaller joint will naturally contain less THC content compared to a much bigger one. However, the irony is this: Bigger joints will burn less efficiently because of uneven airflow. This results in a less controlled smoking experience. To fix this, smoke a big, fat joint indoors. It reduces air resistance and allows for a more consistent burn.

• Rolling Method

Whether you believe it or not, your rolling method dictates how much THC gets processed in your body. For example, a tight-rolled joint restricts airflow, making inhalation harder and resulting in incomplete combustion or sidestream smoke.

Conversely, a joint rolled too loosely will burn out quickly and cause THC loss and inefficient smoking.

Other factors include the addition of accessories, such as a filter, and the shape of the joint.

How THC Dosage Affects Your Experience

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive substance found in cannabis. It’s what gives you the signature “high.” The amount or dosage of this compound affects how your body reacts. Generally, the higher the THC dosage, the more intense the effects will be.

At very low doses (usually between 5 and 10mg of THC), users may feel a combination of mild relaxation, improved focus, and a lifted mood. Middle-ground doses between 15 and 20mg will start producing a euphoric sensation, while 50mg and up offer intense high and tangible physical effects, such as “couch-lock.”

Apart from the THC dosage level and its standard set of effects, factors like personal tolerance, body weight, age, and unique metabolism rate determine how individuals experience the THC high.

You need to find your “sweet spot” to responsibly smoke and enjoy the highs of cannabis joints. Experimenting with different THC milligrams is the way, but it’s important to start with the lowest THC dose possible, increasing slowly until you find the dosage that achieves your desired effects.

Beginner-Friendly Methods for Adjusting THC Dosage

Now that you know the average THC content in a joint and the method to determine it, let’s talk about how you can attempt to control or adjust the THC dosage in a joint. This knowledge is mandatory for beginners, as finding the correct dosage involves experimenting with different joint sizes and THC levels.

Actually, there are just five ways to adjust the THC dosage in a joint. These are:

1. Rolling a joint with 250mg or less of cannabis or buying a mini pre-rolled THCA joint from Habit CBD.
2. Consciously choosing high or low-THC strains according to preference.
3. Blending THC-dominant cannabis flower with other cannabinoid-rich ones like CBD flowers.
4. Controlling the puff frequency.
5. Using a filter tip to ensure even burning and prevent you from inhaling too much THC.

Comparing THC Content in Joints to Other Cannabis Products

THC content varies across different cannabis products. Each method of consumption delivers THC differently into the bloodstream. Here’s an overview of how joints stand up to popular cannabis products in terms of THC content:

Ready to Begin

So, what do you think? How much THC is in a joint? With all these variables affecting THC content, it’s crucial to approach cannabis consumption mindfully. Knowing what influences THC levels can help you make informed decisions and enjoy your experience in a more controlled and enjoyable way. As always, remember that responsible use is key to a positive cannabis journey.

If you’re ready to roll one up, check out our collection of THCA flowers with a wide range of THCA percentages. Don’t forget to read our blog “Ways to Use THCA Flower” to be able to use our products in ways other than just rolling and smoking.

FAQs

Q1. Does the paper used to roll a joint effect THC delivery?

A1. Yes. Thicker papers and flavored wraps can burn unevenly, increasing combustion loss. Thin, slow-burning rolling papers help preserve THC and deliver a more consistent smoking experience overall.

Q2. Does sharing a joint reduce the THC you personally consume?

A2. Absolutely. Passing a joint increases sidestream smoke loss and delays inhalation. The longer it burns between hits, the less THC ultimately reaches each person’s bloodstream.

Q3. Does grinding cannabis finer increase THC absorption?

A3. Finer grinding improves airflow and burn consistency, which can enhance THC delivery. However, grinding too finely may cause faster burning and increased THC loss through combustion.

Q4. Does THC degrade if a joint is pre-rolled and stored?

A4. Yes. Exposure to light, air, and heat can slowly degrade THC. Pre-rolled joints lose potency over time if not stored in airtight, dark, and cool conditions.

Q5. Is THC content the same throughout the entire joint?

A5. No. THC concentration can vary as the joint burns. The beginning often delivers more THC, while the end may contain harsher smoke and degraded cannabinoids.