Tips For First Time Cannabis Smokers

The best thing about cannabis is that it can accommodate a lot of different preferences. If you need a strong high, opt for THC or use CBD for non intoxicating effects.

Have a preference in flavors?

Cannabis can provide you with varieties ranging from vanilla to tropical flavors. The same choice also comes in the case of delivery methods. 

Cannabis has dozens of different ways of consumption. Their difference in effects and convenience helps meet the needs of diverse patients.

But, despite the variety in delivery methods, one that remains a common choice among new consumers is smoking. 

Smoking is the traditional way that is known to most people and is quite easy and efficient. It works fast and is convenient.

So have you decided to take up smoking too? If yes, then read these tips to enjoy a smooth and safe experience. 

Here are the Essential tips for first time cannabis smokers-

Make a Choice

Smoking doesn’t always mean a cigarette or a rolled up joint. It involves many different methods too. There are bongs, water pipes, vaping, dabbing, bubblers and many other ways that you can try.

Take some time to choose one that suits your lifestyle and needs. You can also get in touch with your MMJ doctor to help you make the right choice according to your medical condition.

Why is this choice important? Because each method has different requirements. For example, if you are going to use the blunts or joints for smoking cannabis, you would need rolling papers, a grinder, filter and a lighter.

If you are using a bong, you may need a torch, a cannabis concentrate and the entire glass apparatus or rig. Likewise for other methods too. 

The dosage control also varies between different methods. For a novice, smoking and vaping are easier options as they avoid the risk of overdosing. They are also comparatively easier to use for first time cannabis consumers. 

So before anything else, make sure that you are fully aware of the way you want to smoke cannabis. 

Learn The Right Technique

In many cases, smoking does not deliver a high or any other effect the first time. The reason is that beginners usually have no idea about the correct technique of smoking. It’s not as simple as inhaling and exhaling. 

When you light up a joint or a vape pen, the smoke is how the cannabinoids reach your system.

So you have to make sure that you inhale the smoke for enough time to allow the cannabinoids to reach your lungs for absorption by the body. 

For beginners, the best technique is to inhale slowly and let the mouth fill up with the smoke or vapor. Follow this step with a deep inhale and let the cannabinoids pass into the lungs.

Practice it a few times and you will be able to feel the full effects of cannabis. 

Go Slow 

If you have been excited to use cannabis for a long time, contain your excitement when you finally get to do it. It’s important to stay in control when using cannabis for the first time.

Why? Because if you don’t have a history with cannabis, it’s very likely that your tolerance is very low.

Tolerance is your body’s ability to handle the effects of cannabinoids. Cannabis tolerance increases with longer use. But as a beginner, your low tolerance can put you on the couch with a very bad high even with a small dose. So avoid going all out in your first try.

Since the onset of cannabis is quick, you will realize when it’s time to stop. Once you reach that stage, do not overdo. With time, your tolerance will increase and you’ll be able to engage in longer sessions easily.

Identify The Effects You Are Looking For

Smoking cannabis is one of the fastest ways of achieving effects. Its onset is almost instantaneous.

So you can feel the effects as soon as you take your first drag (provided it’s the right technique). But, if you don’t know what you are looking for, you may not know if it’s working or not. 

It’s important to be clear about the end results you want before engaging in a cannabis session. So sit down and talk with your doctor about your symptoms and understand what you want.

Once you are clear about everything, you can choose the right strain, the right delivery methods and what to expect after a session.

Be Prepared For Some Side Effects

Before you begin smoking cannabis, also learn about the side effects it brings. Going by the experiences of the people and some research, smoking cannabis can cause one or many side effects.

The most common among them are blood shot eyes, dry mouth and increased hunger. The reason behind these side effects is a cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The higher the intake of this cannabinoid, the stronger will be the side effects. 

So when you engage in a session always keep a water bottle by your side to avoid dry mouth.

Also, store some healthy snacks that you can munch on whenever you feel hungry. For red eyes, you can get some soothing eye drops that are available over the counter. 

Smoke in a Safe Place

It’s not easy to pinpoint how cannabis will kick in someone for the first time. Factors such as genetics, metabolism, strain and dosage determines how cannabis affects a person.

But for beginners, the best advice is to stay in a safe place during the first session. 

Cannabis is psychoactive. Which means that it has the ability to alter your brain functions. As a result, you may feel a euphoric high, impared reflexes and fatigue after consuming cannabis for the first time.

It’s very risky to be driving or engaging in any activity that involves your attention and abilities. For the sake of safety, stay in your home and preferably with someone trustworthy who can look after you. 

Buy From a Trusted Source

Never compromise quality for price. You may come across many sellers who will offer you a lot of cannabis for a cheap price.

Do not fall for it. Those may be illegal sources that usually sell contaminated or low quality cannabis to their customers. Low quality cannabis is harmful for health and doesn’t deliver the effects that you need. 

Be safe by only buying from a trusted source. Visit a cannabis dispensary that has a verified license. It makes it compulsory for the dispensary to keep all products according to the quality standards set by the state. 

You can rest assured that the products of these dispensaries or online stores will be of high quality and completely safe for use.                                                                                                                                                  

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Now that we are living with COVID-19, it is important to maintain the right safety measures while consuming cannabis. According to the top medical cannabis doctors, if you are smoking or vaping, do not engage in any social behavior.

Refrain from sharing your joint and stash. Maintain distance from people as much as possible. 

Also, keep all your cannabis gear clean. All the water pipes, bongs, grinders and other washable items should be deep cleaned regularly to avoid any chances of cross contamination. 

Your first cannabis experience can be good or one that you’ll always regret. The outcome depends on little things that people often ignore. So ingrain these points in your mind and buckle up for your first smoking session to be a success.