Walk into either Local Roots store and you'll see numbers like 1:1, 20:1 or even 1:5:1:1 on gummies, tinctures and vapes. Those numbers are cannabinoid ratios. This guide explains how to read them, what the most common ratios mean, and how to compare products before you buy.
What is a cannabis ratio?
A cannabis ratio shows the proportion of cannabinoids in a product, by weight. Cannabinoids are the active compounds in the cannabis plant. The two you'll see most are:
- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): the compound responsible for cannabis's intoxicating "high."
- CBD (cannabidiol): a compound that does not produce a high the way THC does.
Many products also include minor cannabinoids:
- CBG (cannabigerol)
- CBN (cannabinol)
- CBC (cannabichromene)
A ratio is a quick way to see the balance between these compounds. A product with more CBD than THC is often called "CBD-dominant." One with more THC is "THC-dominant."
How do you read a cannabis ratio?
Each number in a ratio stands for one cannabinoid, in the order the brand lists them. There is no industry-wide rule for that order. Some brands put THC first and some put CBD first, so the same-looking numbers can mean opposite things.
Two products on our shelves show the difference:
- Wana 20:1 Blood Orange Gummies list CBD first. A package holds about 335 mg of CBD and about 18 mg of THC.
- Betty's Eddies 1:4:1 Ache Away Fruit Chews list THC first. A package holds about 46 mg of THC and about 208 mg of CBD.
The rule of thumb: never assume which number is THC. Look for the milligram amounts printed on the package. In Massachusetts, edible labels must state the THC per serving and the total THC in the package.
What do common cannabis ratios mean?
The higher the number on the CBD side, the less THC a product has relative to CBD. Here's how the ratios you'll see most often compare.
| Ratio | What it usually means | Balance | Examples at Local Roots |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | Equal parts THC and CBD | Balanced | Space Poppers 1:1 popcorn, Buzzy 1:1 seltzers, NETA 1:1 lotion, Dr. Solomon's Restore 1:1 drops |
| 2:1 | Two parts of one cannabinoid to one of the other | Depends on the order. Check the label | Beboe 2:1 Remedy gummies, INSA 2:1 Mellow Tablit |
| 1:4 | One part THC to four parts CBD | CBD-forward | Betty's Eddies 1:4:1 fruit chews |
| 5:1 | Usually five parts CBD to one part THC | CBD-forward | 5:1 Blood Orange gummies |
| 20:1 | Twenty parts CBD to one part THC | Mostly CBD, little THC | Wana 20:1 Blood Orange gummies, Dr. Solomon's 20:1 Unwind drops |
A THC-only product, like most flower and vapes, usually has no ratio on the label because it contains little CBD.
What does a three- or four-number ratio like 1:1:1 mean?
A ratio with three or four numbers adds minor cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBN or CBC. Each number still stands for one cannabinoid, and the order still varies by brand.
Two Wana gummies on our shelves show how much the third number can change:
- Wana 10:10:1 Quick Calm: 10 parts CBD, 10 parts CBG and 1 part THC. Each piece has about 1 mg of THC (Leafly listing).
- Wana 1:1:1 Quick Relief: equal parts CBC, CBG and THC, per the brand's listing. There is no CBD in this one.
Both say "Wana" and both have three numbers, but the cannabinoids behind them are different. That's why the label, not the ratio alone, tells you what's inside.
Why are CBD, CBG, CBN and CBC added to cannabis products?
Each cannabinoid brings something different to a product, and that's why brands combine them. Researchers are studying these compounds more than ever, and the early findings are exciting. Here's what published studies have found so far. These summaries describe research, not claims about any product sold at Local Roots.
| Cannabinoid | Intoxicating? | What researchers have found | Where the research stands |
|---|---|---|---|
| THC | Yes | A 2017 National Academies review found conclusive evidence that oral THC treats chemotherapy-induced nausea and substantial evidence that cannabis helps chronic pain in adults (National Academies). | The most studied cannabinoid |
| CBD | No | In 2018, CBD became the active ingredient in Epidiolex, the first FDA-approved prescription drug derived from cannabis, for seizures in two rare forms of epilepsy (PharmTech). | FDA-approved for a prescription use |
| CBG | Low | In the first human clinical trial of CBG (2024), 34 cannabis users who took 20 mg reported less anxiety and stress than with a placebo, with no impairment. They also recalled more words on a memory test (Washington State University). | Promising first human trial |
| CBN | Mild | In a 2023 trial of 321 adults with poor sleep, 20 mg of CBN nightly for a week reduced nighttime awakenings and sleep disturbances compared with a placebo (PubMed, PsyPost summary). | Encouraging early trial |
| CBC | Not established | Lab research is exploring how CBC works in the body. A 2024 Penn State review highlights it as a promising area for future study (Penn State, JPET). | Emerging area of research |
How do CBD and THC work together in edibles?
When you eat them together, CBD and THC interact. A 2023 Johns Hopkins study gave adults a brownie with 20 mg of THC, with or without a large 640 mg dose of CBD. With the CBD, blood THC levels nearly doubled and the effects felt stronger. Researchers believe CBD slows how the body breaks down THC (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
That CBD dose is far higher than in most retail products, but the lesson helps every shopper. With a ratio edible, start with one serving, wait two hours, and let the THC milligrams guide you.
Knowing how cannabinoids work together is what makes ratio products so useful. You can choose the balance that fits you.
Does a ratio tell you how strong a product is?
No. A ratio shows balance, not strength. Two products with the same ratio can contain very different amounts of THC.
Space Poppers makes 1:1 popcorn in two sizes. The small bag has about 25 mg of THC. The large bag has about 100 mg, four times as much, with the same 1:1 ratio.
To compare strength, look at the milligrams:
- THC per serving. In Massachusetts, a single edible serving is capped at 5 mg of active THC, with a small testing allowance (935 CMR 500.150).
- Number of servings. Most edible packages here hold up to 20 servings.
- Total THC in the package. The label must show the serving size, the number of servings and the total THC.
- The other cannabinoids. CBD, CBG or CBN amounts are usually listed alongside THC.
Edibles can take two hours or more to take effect. Wait before taking more.
Where can you find ratio products at Local Roots?
Our Fitchburg and Sturbridge stores carry ratio products in almost every format. Availability changes, so check the live Fitchburg menu or Sturbridge menu.
| Format | Ratios we carry | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Gummies and chews | 1:1, 1:1:1, 2:1, 2:1:1, 5:1, 10:10:1, 20:1, 25:5 and more | Wana, COAST, Betty's Eddies, Incredibles, Squier's, Beboe |
| Chocolate, popcorn and tablets | 1:1, 2:1, 5:1 | COAST, Space Poppers, INSA, Incredibles |
| Drinks | 1:1 | Buzzy |
| Tinctures and oils | 1:1, 20:1, 1:1 RSO | Dr. Solomon's, Nature's Heritage |
| Topicals | 1:1 | NETA, Dr. Solomon's |
| Vapes | 2:1, 7:1, 14:1:1 | Holiday, Incredibles |
Not sure where to start? Ask a budtender to walk you through the labels.
How do you choose a cannabis ratio?
Start with how much THC you want, then use the ratio to see what comes with it.
- Decide on your THC amount. Check the milligrams of THC per serving first. That's the number that drives the high.
- Read the ratio's order. Confirm which number is THC before comparing two products.
- Want less THC per serving? A CBD-dominant ratio, like 5:1 or 20:1, has much less THC than CBD.
- Curious about minor cannabinoids? Three- and four-number ratios include CBG, CBN or CBC. The label names each one.
- New to edibles? Start with one serving or less, and wait at least two hours before taking more.
Everyone responds to cannabis differently. Our budtenders can help you compare labels side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1:1 mean on a cannabis product?
A 1:1 ratio means the product contains equal amounts of THC and CBD. A 1:1 gummy with 5 mg of THC per piece also has about 5 mg of CBD per piece.
Is the first number in a cannabis ratio always THC?
No. Brands list cannabinoids in different orders. Some put THC first and others put CBD first. Check the milligram amounts on the label to see which number is which.
What does 20:1 mean?
A 20:1 product usually contains 20 parts CBD for every 1 part THC. It is CBD-dominant, with a small amount of THC.
What does 1:1:1 mean?
A 1:1:1 ratio means three cannabinoids in equal amounts, such as THC, CBD and CBG. The third cannabinoid varies by product, so check the label.
Does a higher ratio mean a stronger product?
No. A ratio shows the balance between cannabinoids, not the total amount. Compare the milligrams of THC per serving and per package to judge strength.
Does CBD get you high?
CBD does not produce the intoxicating high associated with THC. Products that contain both can still be intoxicating because of their THC.
For adults 21+ only. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Keep cannabis away from children and pets.