Wondering what it would be like to give cannabis a try? If you’re a first-time user, you are definitely not alone. Actually, you’re joining a large group of people just like you who are curious about cannabis. You probably have questions—and the good news is, we’ve got answers for you.
At Aunt Mary’s, we vibe with how it feels to check out something new. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful, go-to guide to trying weed for the first time — including what to expect so you can get all the FAQs, have a good time and enjoy a safe, positive experience with cannabis.
Welcome to the World of Cannabis!
Whether you call it cannabis, weed, or pot, these different words all describe the same thing — a group of three plants called cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis whose flowers can be dried and ingested in a variety of ways (smoking, edibles, bongs, and dabs) to give you a high. Most users choose cannabis for its ability to calm and relax you, though it can also be used for different medical conditions such as chronic pain, insomnia, and other uses.
Your First High: A Guide to a Positive Cannabis Experience
When you check out weed for the first time, keep in mind that it can have a strong effect that’s unique to you and your body. No two people are exactly alike, right? And no two highs are exactly alike either. But you can help yourself by planning your first use intentionally and with care.
Tips for First-Time Users
You’ll want to ease into your first few uses so you can get to know how cannabis affects you personally. Your mindset and your environment are important ingredients to enjoying a positive high.
1. Start low and go slow.
When it’s your first time getting high, pay attention to how much THC (the stuff that gets you high) is in the product you’re considering. Do your research and ask your shop’s experts to help you choose a good product for easing into the experience.
Test out a small dose and then chill a bit to let the weed kick in. Don’t rush into taking a lot all at once, because that can make you more anxious, and too much could make you ill. Slow and steady wins the race.
2. Choose the right setting.
Let’s be blunt — cannabis affects your mind and your body. Until you know how you’ll handle the high, take your first doses in a familiar, comfortable, low-key spot, such as your own home. Surround yourself with cheerful, laid-back vibes so you can relax and surrender to the weed’s effects. Your experience is likely to be a lot more pleasant if the place you’re in is safe and chill.
3. Have a trusted friend with you.
Find a reliable friend who will hang with you during your first use of cannabis. Choose someone who’s responsible and knowledgeable, so they can guide you through the experience and help you out if needed. Plus, it’s fun to take part with a good friend or two who are willing to be part of the experience.
What to Expect When You Ingest Weed
Often, new users think in black-and-white terms—either you’re high or you’re not. But here’s the deal — the effects of weed can vary depending on a lot of things, including the product you use, how your body handles it, where you are when you take your dose, and your emotional and mental state. As a first-timer, you’re entering new territory and learning about how you respond to cannabis.
Still, there are some common effects that cannabis is known to deliver. You may feel more alert, energized, and creative, but you also might feel relaxed and sleepy. Your blood pressure and heart rate may lessen as you relax. Cannabis can relieve nausea and may increase (or decrease) your appetite. You may have a sense of euphoria and your anxiety may lessen (though some people feel more anxious when using weed at times). Some people laugh a lot as cannabis takes its effects.
In other words, there’s no such thing as fully predicting how your body will react to different products from one day to the next. It helps to be flexible, go slow, and see what happens.
Weed for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know Beforehand
Now that you know more about what to expect, it’s time to choose a specific product and dosage. Here’s what to think about:
Different Ways to Consume Cannabis
Weed comes in several forms, and some may fit you better than others depending on your personal preferences and the effects you’d like to experience.
Smoking
To smoke your weed, you roll a joint or put the weed in a bong to inhale it. The weed enters your bloodstream through your lungs, which is convenient and creates a quick high, though it also takes some experience to know how much weed to use and how to roll your blunt correctly.
Vaping
Like smoking, vaping is a way to inhale your weed. The cannabis gets heated until it releases smoke. Vaping doses come in pre-filled “carts” or “cartridges.” This method works quickly, but it doesn’t release the same level of tar that smoking does.
Edibles
Cannabis-infused baked goods, beverages, and gummies allow you to ingest a dose through your digestive tract. The effects will be a little delayed — between 20 minutes to three hours depending on the edible and your body. However, the high lasts longer and is easier to manage because you can take your dose, take time to get comfy, and enjoy.
Tinctures
Tinctures are a form of cannabis steeped in alcohol, which is absorbed by putting a few drops under your tongue. You hold it there so the cannabis gets into your bloodstream, then swallow the rest where it’s absorbed through your digestive tract. This gives you both a quick high as well as a delayed high—a handy combination.
Dosage and Safety When Using Weed Products
As with any substance, cannabis should be taken responsibly to ensure your well-being, so follow basic safety tips whenever you take a toke.
- Learn about dosages by talking with someone who is experienced with different weed products, such as a medical professional as well as a respected local shop (like ours).
- Don’t ingest too much at once.
- Keep the weed out of the reach of children and pets, so they don’t get sick.
- Avoid driving or using heavy machinery until the cannabis’s effects are out of your system.
- If you’re using cannabis to treat a medical condition, find out how it might impact any other medications you’re already taking.
How Much Should You Take? A Guide to Edible Dosage
Edibles are super popular right now, and we get plenty of questions about them. So, here are a few essentials that’ll make using edibles a lot more fun.
First of all, since edibles get metabolized in your stomach and liver, their effects feel stronger and last longer than smoking or vaping. As a new user, you’ll need to figure out what works for you—and what doesn’t. This is one reason it pays to think about your dosage.
Because edibles take longer to kick in, it may be tempting to think you should take more, but that’s not a good idea. Instead, pay careful attention to how much you’re taking, so you can avoid ingesting too much. A good place to start is with a micro-dosage of 1 to 2.5 milligrams of THC or less, and then wait at least two hours to judge your high before you take another dose. As you become accustomed to edibles, you may work your way up to a 5 milligram dose, which is standard for experienced users.
Understanding Edibles: When Will You Feel the Effects?
Edible cannabis typically takes up to two hours for your high to reach its peak, and then the high will slowly fade over the next three hours or so. (By comparison, vaping and smoking can give you your high in 10 minutes and last about an hour.) Your weight, metabolism, and type of edible can all affect your personal tolerance for what you’re ingesting and how long it takes to feel the high.
How Long Does a Weed High Last?
There are several factors that can influence how long you stay high—like how much you weigh, how big a dose you took, the type of cannabis product you used, and any other drugs you may have also ingested. Everyone has their own tolerance for weed. As a first-time user, assume you’re sensitive to it until proven otherwise.
You may feel stoned for a couple of hours for forms of cannabis that you inhale, or up to four hours or more if you’ve ingested it in an edible or tincture. You may have lingering effects of the high the next day, and the drug may remain detectable in your system for a few days after your first use.
Managing Your High
The best way to enjoy a positive experience during your cannabis trip is to take care with your dosing, ingest your weed in a comfortable environment, and have a good friend nearby.
Stay calm and try not to panic if you feel too high. Instead, stay in a safe place and focus on things that are calming and grounding. Eat, sleep, or watch something soothing on TV. Some people chew on peppercorns as a way to come down a bit, so you might try that and see if it works for you.
Of course, if you experience any troubling side effects or reactions such as vomiting or an irregular heart rate, seek medical help.
Make Your First Cannabis High a Great Experience with Guidance from Aunt Mary’s Dispensary
There’s a first time for everything—and trying cannabis is no exception. If you’re new to toking, or if you want to check out a type of weed that’s new to you, our knowledgeable team offers discreet, friendly guidance that sets you up for a good experience. Reach out to us to explore our cannabis products, or stop by one of our locations anytime for in-person guidance. We look forward to seeing you!
