Cannabis in some form or another is everywhere. You may already have started out experimenting with CBD and are ready for the ‘real thing,’ or you’re considering jumping right into smoking weed.
Either way, you don’t want your first time smoking cannabis to be embarrassing (cue: the stereotypical coughing fit) or, worse, dangerous.
It’s true that if you’re not cautious about it, you may get sick from the wrong strain or end up breaking the law wherever you are. That’s where the horror stories about newbies trying to smoke weed comes from.
But since you’re doing some research first, your first experience smoking with cannabis should be a good one. As long as you follow these five tips, you’ll have the only guide you need as you choose and use your weed.
1. Check the Legalities First
CBD is available legally almost everywhere. This is different from cannabis, though. Federally legal CBD has less than .3% THC in it. Anything with more THC than that in it has to be legalized by the state.
Luckily, this isn’t a problem for the majority of the population. America is getting on board with the benefits of cannabis, so almost anywhere you go, there is at least some form of legal weed.
More than half of the country has legalized medical marijuana, but if you don’t have a card, you can still be arrested for use and possession. To be on the safe side, it’s a smart idea to apply for an MMJ card, and there are dozens of legitimate reasons you’ll be approved.
But if your state has gone whole-hog and legalized medical and recreational marijuana, you can safely light up—as long as you’re not on federal property.
The feds have an entirely different set of laws that override state and local decisions. If you’re concerned about breaking the law, never use weed if you even think you’re in a federally operated zone.
2. Start With a Low-Dose Strain
What most beginners don’t realize is that there are over 700 different strains of cannabis. They’re all part of two plants: the sativa and indica. Then, the plants’ compounds are broken down based on male and female and the levels of THC and CBD in them.
If you’ve never used cannabis before, you must understand that how you react to each strain can be unique. People who try weed and give up because of a bad experience probably would have enjoyed it if they’d had a different kind.
Nervous about choosing a strain that’s too powerful for your first time? Don’t be! Websites like Zamnesia offer many resources to help you get started with everything related to cannabis. Additionally, dispensary experts can guide you in the process.
When you head to the local dispensary to buy your weed, go ahead and let them know it’s your first time. We promise you’re not the first newbie to walk through their doors, and you won’t look silly.
The person helping you will probably ask if you’re looking for a boost of energy and creativity or something to relax you. Do you need something to help with anxiety or chronic pain? Appetite support or stimulation?
All of these questions can help the staff dispensing your cannabis narrow down the right strain for you. Veriheal’s article here helps you to learn more about how to choose your first-time cannabis strain.
Whatever you’re not sure about, ask the staff. It’s much better to ask questions ahead of time so you can avoid problems later.
3. Pay Attention to the Dose
The dose you fall in love with is the key to a good experience. But since you’ve never smoked weed before, if you have an amazing or horrible experience, you need to know the dose in your joint.
You obviously don’t want to repeat a bad experience, but you don’t want it to ruin your cannabis experimentation. You might have had one bad strain out of the over 700 kinds, and you’ll know not to use that one again. Or, you could have had too high of a dose and you should use a lower one the next time you smoke.
On the other hand, if it was perfect and exactly what you were hoping for, you do want to repeat it. If you didn’t know the dose of cannabis, though, you could spend years trying to find the exact same strain and dose.
4. Make Sure You’re Safe
Never try anything new that could impair your judgment in an unsafe or unfamiliar environment. When you smoke weed for the first time, where you’re at and who you’re with are as important as the cannabis you choose.
If you do have an adverse reaction, you should be able to trust that the people you’re with will take care of you. If you’re alone, be in an environment that you already know and are very familiar with.
This feeling of safety will enhance the pleasure you get from your experience. But if you don’t feel safe and secure, it can actually turn what would have been a normal response into a negative one.
5. Don’t Make Any Plans for Later
Smoking a joint for the first time should be something you do when you don’t have any plans for a while. Waiting until right before you have to go to work to light up, for instance, is not a good idea.
You don’t know what kind of reaction you’re going to have. If you’re chill and relaxed, that feeling should be enjoyed as long as possible. Having an appointment cuts into the euphoria and rushes you through it.
On the other hand, you might have a negative reaction. Some people feel sick, mentally and/or physically, after their first joint. Give yourself time to work through any possible adverse side effects before you plan anything.
Conclusion
Researching some tips to help you prepare for your first time smoking cannabis is smart.
Be proactive about choosing the dose and strain and when and where you light up. That way, you’re more likely to have a positive experience. Use these tips to guide you until you’re an expert on cannabis, too!
