I know you’re excited.
I mean, you live in a state where marijuana has been legalized for both medical and recreational use. This is EVEN MORE exciting if you came from a state where it hasn’t been legalized.
But, you need to hold up a second.
Before you take your first bong rip, you need to take into account some key aspects of cannabis use.
So, if you’re a newer smoker, give this a thorough read before smoking that bowl.
Indica vs. Sativa: What’s the difference?
One of the first things newer users should know is the fact there are two main strains of marijuana, and they give totally different highs.
Indicas are known for their deep, rich colors and relaxing body high. When someone’s talking about the “purple” strains of weed, they’re most likely talking about an Indica. When you smoke this strain, you feel the effects more in your body than you do in your head. This is why people tend to refer to this high as being “in da couch”, and use it for pain relief, insomnia, and anxiety. Indicas contain CBD, which is what lends this strain its medical benefits.
Sativas tend to smell more like pine (but this isn’t always the same) and give you a head high. This is often considered to be the opposite of Indica. Most people pick Sativa for the creative, happy, giggly high that comes from the large amounts of THC contained in this strain.
And then there are hybrids. These are different strains that blend the effects of the strains they are made from. Some dispensaries have their very own house blend, and these tend to be hybrids. Indica dominant hybrids will give more of the sleepy effects, whereas Sativa dominant hyrbids get your creative juices flowing and give you the giggles – and the munchies!
If you’ve never bought weed from a dispensary before, it’s recommended that you start off with a strain that has less THC. One of the most common mistakes made by beginners is to go out there, get the strongest strain they can find, and then light up without thinking about it.
There really is such a thing as being “too high.”
The Cannabis Vocabulary List
THC – Less commonly called tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the main cannabinoid in weed and is the primary thing that gets you high. It’s also great for pain relief and lack of appetite (it gives you the munchies!), but does give some short-term memory loss.
CBD – Less commonly called cannabidiol, this is the cannabinoid used for its medical benefits. CBD helps with pain and anxiety, and it has antioxidant properties.
CBN – Also known as cannabinol, this is mostly found in hemp products. You can’t get high from smoking hemp. Hemp is mainly for clothing and skincare products, among other things.
CBG – Also known as cannabigerol, this is another cannabinoid that has strong medical properties. This particular one is especially helpful for individuals with glaucoma or IBS.
Terpenes – These are the pungent oils that come from the glands that produce cannabinoids like THC and CBD. These give strains their flavors and aromas, such as pine, citrus, and mint. There have been more than 100 different terpenes identified in the cannabis plant, and every strain is at least slightly different.
You Don’t Have to Smoke to Get High
There are numerous ways to consume cannabis, so you’re not just limited to smoking. If you don’t want to smoke, or live in a place that does not permit smoking, there are several options available:
Edibles
Never had an edible before? DO NOT EAT THE ENTIRE THING AT ONCE.
This is a super common mistake made by first-timers. Edibles are delicious, and it’s harder to tell what the correct serving is if you’ve never had them. Even seasoned cannabis users can have an adverse reaction (including getting “too high”) if they are not careful.
If the edible is bite-sized, start with half and wait about 1 hour before eating the rest. Anything larger than bite-sized, and you want to just eat ¼ of it every 30 – 45 minutes.
Depending on the edible, and the amount of THC it contains, the effects can take up to 2 hours before they reach their peak. Be careful!
It’s also not recommended that you consume edibles with alcohol. Many people find themselves getting very sick from this – definitely not fun!
There are several types of edibles, from candy to paste:
- Pastries, candy – These are the most popular forms, and the popular “pot brownies” fall under this category.
- RSO – Also known as Rick Simpson Oil, this is a concentrated form of cannabis that gives an intense high. Put a small amount on a cracker or cookie, and you feel the effects right away. It was originally made to treat effects of cancer, and inhibit the growth of the cancerous cells, but it gives both a body and head high.
- Tincture – This is a liquid form of cannabis, and the dosage varies by product and brand. Most of them, like those by Ethos, are quite tasty and have different effects from sleep aides to upbeat moods.
- Liquids – Some of these, like those by Sensi Sweets, are quite tasty. Just a couple cups (depending) and you’re good to go.
Vaping
Vaping has grown in popularity as the technology has evolved into more portable, subtle, and affordable options.
Many people started vaping to avoid inhaling the carcinogens that are released when smoking, as well as to avoid that distinct smell that tells everyone you’ve been smoking pot.
There are several options out there, with some vaporizers serving as small ovens that heat up the marijuana to the point where it releases vapor. Others heat up cartridges of cannabis extracts or concentrates, such as hash oil or wax.
While there are lots of varieties of concentrates, they all have the same purpose: To get the most cannabinoids – primarily THC – out of the weed. The main types are kief (granulated marijuana) and hash. Hash comes in several forms, such as oils, waxes, and powders.
One form of vaping is “dabs”, which is usually hash oil or wax, placed on a red-hot surface heated up by a battery or electrical pack. This vapor is inhaled for a super intense high.
Regardless of how often you have used cannabis, caution should be exercised when smoking concentrates or pot.
It’s Not Just for Recreational Use
Marijuana contains chemicals that help treat – or reduce symptoms and effects of – a variety of illnesses, conditions, and disorders. This is the biggest reason for people pushing for the legalization of marijuana, even if it’s just for medical purposes.
A number of states have legalized it for both medical and recreational use, and there are a couple of FDA-approved medications that actually contain cannabinoid chemicals put into pill form. Research is being conducted that could potentially lead to more marijuana-based medications.
Some of the medical uses for marijuana include:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- ADD/ADHD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Epilepsy
- Intense stress
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Lack of appetite
- Glaucoma
- IBS
- Chronic pain
- Joint pain
- Migraines and headaches
- Inhibiting the growth of certain types of Cancer
- Nausea
- Stomach issues
When it comes down to it, numerous patients prefer to use cannabis over prescribed medication, because it’s more affordable and the side effects are far less problematic.
Final Thoughts
Always ask your doctor before using any new product. Cannabis, in any form, can be habit-forming and impair mental abilities. It is also not intended for anyone under 21.
But, if you’re ready to try some marijuana for the first time, these tips will get you on your way to enjoying the world of cannabis.
Are you new to marijuana? Let us know in the comments below, and share any questions you may have!
Disclaimer: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of Marijuana. Marijuana, in any form, should not be used by individuals that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Marijuana is intended for use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product may be unlawful outside of Washington State.
Very informative! I hope people pay attention to that part about the edibles. So true wait an hour before you take more! Also I prefer Valdez by because it is more discreet and I don’t like that smell taking over my whole house or car. It a sure tip of to your employer if your car smells like Sean Pen’s van in Fast tomes at Ridgemony high and even if it’s legal your employer can still prohibit it!
That’s definitely one plus-side to vaping!
Thanks for reading! We’re glad you got something out of it.
We work with a lot of people that prefer the oils and concentrates because they are more discrete. This is expected as people using big farm pills also prefer to be secretive with what they consume to stay mentally healthy. Its a privacy issue for some while others are more open.
That is something that is very common; you’re right on that.
Man, I don’t even think an hour is enough. Gotta wait at least 2 hours before eating more in my opinion cause it takes longer for some people to digest. Better safe than sorry!
It’s definitely true that everyone is different. It’s always better to start out with a small amount, and then eat more after waiting. It’s never fun to be too high!
Magnificent site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your effort!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Many thanks!
Glad we could help! Thanks or reading. 🙂
Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
Thanks for the heads up!
We haven’t noticed these issues before, or had anyone else point them out, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Thanks for reading!
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Yep vaporizers are the way to go nowadays. You only need a small portion of weed and that often times hits you even harder.
Although it all comes to down to personal preference, vaporizers can be pretty helpful when it comes to getting your smoke on!
Thank you for all the information about cannabis. I have always been really curious about it. That is pretty cool that there are numerous ways to consume cannabis. I thought you could only smoke it.
Thanks for reading, Deb!
One of the great things about cannabis is how versatile it is, with consumption methods that include dabbing / vaping, smoking, edibles, and topicals. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Awesome guide for beginners! Thanks for putting this together.
We’re glad you liked it! Thanks for reading.
Thanks for helping me learn more about marijuana. I actually didn’t know that terpenes refer to the oils that come from glands that produce cannabinoids. I’m kind of interested to know how much of these oils that could be made in a certain amount of time.
Thanks for reading, Taylor! I’m glad you learned something new. To be sure, it’s a fascinating topic to learn about.
Do you have more information on CBD? I think I need to start using cannabis for its medical benefits. I am working through some PTSD and I have heard that it helps. Thanks for this info!
Hey Jay,
One of our previous posts covered the basics of CBD, such as what it is, how it’s processed, why people take it, and what some CBD products are to start with.
Thanks for reading, Jay. We hope that helps!
Great overview of the medicinal upsides to cannabis use. A lot of great info for beginners, thanks!
Very nice article, totally what I needed.
We’re happy to help!
You packed a lot of info into this article, nice guide for beginners! I completely agree about how incredibly versatile cannabis is when it comes to both uses and consumption methods.
Thanks for reading! We’re glad you liked this guide.
Cannabis is definitely super versatile, offering users plenty of different methods that match up with their needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Doesn’t get any better than that!
This is a very helpful guide for novice cannabis growers. I am a newbie and growing cannabis for personal use. Thank you for sharing and keeping us updated. Kudos!
We’re glad to hear the article helped you out, Jim. Thanks for reading!
It is nice to know that there are a lot of positive uses for marijuana. This makes it really convenient for a lot of people that are suffering from issues like insomnia. My cousin might be interested in this as he researches books on responsible consumption of marijuana.
Cannabis offers myriad therapeutic benefits and uses, in addition to recreational use. We’re happy you got something out of this post!
bookmarked!!, I love your website!
Glad to hear it, Kristopher! Thanks for reading.
Nice beginners guide… it’s my first time checking out World of Weed and cool I see you got the shop site going too, looks clean… happy growing and Aloha from Hawaii.
-Jared
Hello right back!
Thanks so much for reading, and for the kind words! Can’t wait to see you next time you’re over here in Washington.
I ought to admit that truly one of the most fun articles or blog posts I have actually understand. It is also expertly printed. I am an french teacher so I see what I mean.
We’re glad you liked the post! Thank you for reading.
Infuse cannabis tincture to your fruit shake! Trust me! It’s rockin high!
I love that there are so many medical uses for cannabis like joint pain. My aunt has been talking about joint pain in her knees and wrists before. This might be the solution that she has been looking for.