Thankfully, cannabis is now legal for medical and/or adult-use in more jurisdictions than ever before since the start of global cannabis prohibition. Every passing year should result in even more jurisdictions joining the list of places where cannabis is legal for patients and consumers to use. It is estimated that just in the United States alone, an average of over 7,000 people try cannabis for the first time every single day.
For some people, consuming cannabis for the first time is an experience that they will never forget and always cherish. However, there are also other people that try cannabis for the first time and have a bad experience, which is unfortunate. While there is no way to 100% guarantee a good experience when trying cannabis for the first time, there are some tips and tricks that newbies can incorporate into their strategies to help mitigate any potential issues.
Advice Specifically For Patients
Many people that will read this article are suffering patients or their caretakers, and they are looking for the best way to start cannabis treatment. Many of the tips contained in this article are applicable regardless of the motivation behind the use. With that being said, one thing that suffering patients need to be specifically mindful of is that it’s possible to have an uncomfortable experience when consuming cannabis for the first time for one reason or another, and being that you are likely already feeling uncomfortable, it could compound the problem. All effects wear off eventually, but it’s something to always be mindful of. Read a previous article we posted to learn more about how long the effects of cannabis last.
Avoid Combining Cannabis With Other Things
When consuming cannabis for the first time, it is best to not combine it with any other substances if possible, including alcohol. Consuming alcohol and cannabis at the same time results in THC being concentrated in the blood and enhances cannabis’ effects. Cannabis can interact with medications in various ways. Contact a medical professional to see if cannabis may negatively interact with whatever medication(s) you are currently taking.
Eating Cannabis Versus Inhaling It
Many newbies and people returning to cannabis consumption after a long hiatus may be inclined to start with an edible instead of inhaling cannabis (smoke or vapor). Starting with an edible is perfectly OK, however, people need to be mindful of not overdoing it, being that the effects of eating cannabis can be more intense and/or last longer compared to inhaling cannabis. Check out a previous article that we posted to learn how to determine the best edible dosage level when trying edibles for the first time.
Choosing A Specific Product
Anyone that has visited a dispensary knows how overwhelming the experience can be when choosing which cannabis flower or product to start out with as a newbie. Our advice is to 1) choose something that is low potency to start out with, and 2) research the products on your own and don’t solely rely on the budtender’s ‘advice.’ Another good move, if it’s feasible for your situation, is to find someone that you trust that recently started consuming cannabis and see which product(s) they recommend.
Start With CBD
Due to hemp policy reform sweeping the globe, smokable hemp that is rich with CBD is available in more places than ever before. It’s a great way to ease into becoming a cannabis consumer, especially if you find smoking cannabis to be more appealing than eating it when you try cannabis for the first time. CBD does not yield the same psychoactive effects as THC, and it can help you get adjusted to smoking pre-rolled joints. Then, over time, you can add THC to the mix by acquiring products that contain both CBD and THC and eventually move up to just THC if you want to.
Be Proactive And Plan Ahead
A little bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to helping ensure a positive experience when consuming cannabis for the first time. Clear your schedule for the whole day/night if possible. Control your surroundings by only being around people that you know and trust in a familiar setting, preferably with one of your peers being experienced with cannabis consumption. Plan your snacks, have plenty of water on hand, and have entertainment (music, movie, etc.) dialed up for later. You don’t have to plan every detail, if for any reason because you will probably forget about a lot of it, but make sure that you have all of the basics taken care of ahead of time.
Slow And Steady Wins The Race
Keep in mind that whatever product you end up with, whether it’s flower, an edible, vape cartridge, etc., you do not have to consume all of it in one sitting. If you are inhaling cannabis, take one ‘hit’ and wait ten minutes before deciding to consume more. If you are eating cannabis, only take a nibble and wait an hour before eating more.
What Do You Do If You Get Too High
Even the most seasoned cannabis-consuming veteran can overdo it on occasion. It happens to the best of us. Although, it’s a much more common thing for newbies and returners. Fortunately, there are things that you can do if you or someone that you know gets too high. To learn more about specific strategies, tips, and tricks, check out a previous article that we wrote about what to do if you get too high from eating or smoking cannabis. Familiarize yourself prior to consuming 🙂