5mg vs 10mg THC Drinks: Which Dose Is Right?

5mg and 10mg are the two numbers you'll see most on THC drinks. Here's what they mean, why neither is automatically right for you, and how to pace yourself either way.

Quick Answer

Neither dose is “correct.” 10mg is the standard single-serving unit used by several U.S. states and Canada, and 5mg is a common starting point for people new to THC. San Buzi is 10mg of Delta-9 THC per can, so many first-timers start with about half a can and wait. This is general guidance, not medical advice — see our Responsible Use Policy.

What “5mg” and “10mg” actually measure

Both numbers are milligrams of THC per serving — the amount of the intoxicating compound in the drink, not how strong it will feel to you. In U.S. research and regulation, 10mg has become the reference “serving size” for oral cannabis. A peer-reviewed study of healthy adults who rarely use cannabis (Schlienz et al.) notes that 10mg is set as the standard unit dose in several states and in Canada, and found that a 10mg oral dose produced noticeable subjective effects and a raised heart rate, with effects starting 30–60 minutes after ingestion and peaking at roughly 1.5–3 hours.

That study was done in a controlled setting with edibles, not drinks specifically, and it describes an average. It’s a useful reference point, not a prediction for you.

Who tends to start at 5mg

People trying THC for the first time, or coming back after a long break.
People who are sensitive to how they feel after a drink or an edible.
Anyone who wants to see how a particular product behaves before committing to more.

Starting lower costs you nothing: you can always have more later, but you can’t take back what you’ve already had.

Who tends to use 10mg

People who already know how THC affects them, or who have built some tolerance, often find 10mg a comfortable single serving. It’s also the per-container maximum in Georgia and several other states that allow hemp THC drinks, which is why many brands, San Buzi included, are dosed there.

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Can you get a 5mg dose from a 10mg can?

Roughly, yes. Each San Buzi can is 10mg of Delta-9 THC, so half a can is about 5mg. Treat “about” literally — this is an approximation, not a measured dose — and give it the full waiting time before deciding whether to have the rest. Our onset and dosing guide covers the timing in detail.

Why 5mg keeps showing up in new rules

Lawmakers drafting rules specifically for THC drinks have often landed below the industry’s 10mg norm. The federal Beverage Regulatory Parity Act (H.R. 10079), as introduced, would cap servings at 5mg, and Kentucky’s alcohol-style system caps drinks at 5mg per 12oz serving. Neither changes what’s in a can today, but it’s why you may see more 5mg products over time. Where your state stands is on our state-by-state guide.

A few practical rules, whichever number you pick

Wait before having more. Oral THC can take 30–60 minutes to start working and longer to peak.
Don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Skip it if you’re pregnant or nursing, and talk to a doctor if you take medication or have a health condition.
Know the drug-test reality: any amount of THC can show up on a test. See does Delta-9 show up on a drug test.

Frequently asked questions

Is 10mg of THC a lot in a drink?

It depends on the person. 10mg is the standard single-serving unit set by several U.S. states and by Canada for edible cannabis, and in a controlled study of adults who rarely use cannabis, a 10mg oral dose produced noticeable effects. For someone with no tolerance that can be plenty; for someone with regular use it may feel mild. It isn't a universal 'low' or 'high' number.

Is 5mg a good starting dose?

Many people who are new to THC, or returning after a long break, choose to start around 5mg and wait before deciding on more. That's general guidance, not medical advice, and individual responses vary widely.

Can I drink half a can of San Buzi to get about 5mg?

San Buzi is 10mg of Delta-9 THC per 12oz can, so half a can is roughly 5mg. 'Roughly' is the honest word: pouring out half isn't a lab-precise measure. If exact dosing matters to you, treat it as an approximation.

Why do some laws cap THC drinks at 5mg?

Regulators writing beverage-specific rules have often picked lower per-serving limits than the 10mg industry norm. For example, the federal Beverage Regulatory Parity Act as introduced would cap servings at 5mg, and Kentucky's alcohol-style framework caps drinks at 5mg per 12oz serving. Rules change often, so check our state guide for where things stand.

Should I take a second drink if I don't feel anything yet?

Waiting is the safer default. Oral THC can take 30 to 60 minutes to start working and longer to peak, and having more before the first dose has had time to act is a common way people end up taking more than they intended.