Thinking about trying cannabis for the first time? Read this first

Trying cannabis for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience, making it hard to know where to begin. Weed is meant to be relaxing. So, to help take the stress off, here is what you need to know before trying cannabis for the first time.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions before trying cannabis

Two pot smokers will happily share a joint, even if they don’t speak the same language. The true spirit of the cannabis community is this; If you and I both use cannabis in some form regardless of whether we have met, we are cannafamily. We all started out exactly where you are. So, never be intimidated to ask questions or feel like you ‘should’ know something. When it comes to cannabis, there is so much out there to learn. New and exciting information is being released every day, so remember, everybody is learning with you. There are no stupid questions, just funny ones.

Cannabis is non-fatal

Fact: It is physically impossible to fatally overdose from cannabis. When THC interacts with our CB1 receptors, we experience a psychoactive effect. CB1 receptors can be found in high concentrations, all over the body with one exception: the brainstem. As it happens, this part of the brain controls involuntary functions such as heartbeat and lung function. Because there are so few CB1 receptors within the brainstem, it is impossible to overstimulate this area using cannabis and cause a shutdown. 

What this means: No one has ever caused their heart to stop or stopped breathing because of weed. No one ever will. If you get a little bit too baked or start to feel uncomfortable, just remember that the effects will pass. 

Type of cannabis

The effects of cannabis come from a blend of different cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds, found within its strain genetics. From plant to plant, these compounds vary, producing different results. To categorize this, each strain gets labeled as an indica, sativa, or hybrid, based on common characteristics.

Indica 

Sativa 

Here is a phrase to help you remember the difference between indica and sativa:

indica will put you in da couch.

Hybrid

The golden rule of cannabis dosing – start low, go slow.

The effects of cannabis can sneak up on you so give it some time to kick in.

Smoking

When THC is inhaled into the lungs, it enters the bloodstream very quickly. The effect is usually felt within 10-15 minutes, making it easy to judge for dosing. If you choose to smoke weed for your first experience, your biggest challenge is how to do so. 

Prerolls

• Ask to purchase pre-rolled joints. If they are not available, ask if someone can roll it for you. Asking for this might feel awkward the first time, but, this question is a common one. Many long time cannabis users cannot roll joints.

Pipes

• If you are using a pipe, grind up the bud first. That way, you ensure it burns evenly. 
• There can be a little hole on the side of the pipe called a ‘choke’. When inhaling and lighting the bud, be sure to keep your finger over this hole. After inhaling, there may be some lingering smoke in the pipe chamber. Lifting your finger off of the choke, allows you to clear this.

Edibles

A lot of people avoid cannabis because they don’t want to smoke it; that’s where edibles come in. If you are going to go this route, be aware of a few things:

Dosing is different. 

• You absorb more THC through your digestive system than you do through the lungs. Eating it will make the most of those milligrams. 

Edibles need to be digested and absorbed into the bloodstream.

•  It will take longer for you to feel an effect if you eat cannabis, instead of smoking it.
• The amount of food present in your stomach will impact how quickly you feel it. 

Your cannabis source

Cannabis is safe to use but if done incorrectly, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable. Factors such as dosing, strain, and quality make the difference between a therapeutic, enjoyable experience, and one you never want again. It’s all about trusting that your source of cannabis knows exactly what they are doing. Wherever you get it should provide more than just weed, they should be there to educate as well. Before you decide whether to purchase from a legal or ‘grey market’ source, be aware of a few things:

The Government Stores 

The benefits of going to a licensed cannabis retailer include convenience and legal purchasing. There are some good ones, but the price, quality, and availability can’t be guaranteed. Plus, they cannot provide any medical advice. These retailers have to play by government rules and do not have the same options as a normal business. 

On top of that, there can be a lot of money to be made in the cannabis industry, making it irresistible on the corporate level. Many long-standing, small cannabis businesses have been sabotaged as legalization has taken effect. Thanks to the provincial model, the pot dealers doing the most social damage wear suits, and operate legally. Still, there are some decent places that won’t rip you off.

Grey Market Sources

Never shun a source solely because they are unlicensed. When it comes to legal cannabis, you cannot rely on the government to know what is best because their interest is purely financial. If it wasn’t, regulations for medical cannabis would have been prioritized over recreational use. As it stands, the only options for medical patients are extremely expensive licensed producers, and accessing them is very difficult. In the meantime, grey market sources fill in the gap. Here are some things to think about when sussing out a new source:

• What kind of experience and passion do they have when it comes to their products? There are many long-standing compassion clubs that have had to fight to stay open. The only reason that these places put themselves at risk is that they believe in what they are doing. If you find a source that has been under fire before but preserves regardless, they might be worth a second look.
• Ask about their quality control and gauge their responses. Someone who is on it will not hesitate to tell you all about it; in fact, they will likely be excited. For example, If money was spent on third-party testing, they will be thrilled to tell you about it.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to trust your source. 

How was your first time using cannabis? Do you have any advice to share that we missed? Please add it to the comments below!

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