More than 7000 people try cannabis for the first time in the USA, every day. If you are one of them, embrace yourself, because this is going to be the experience of a lifetime.
I am sure you must have a lot of questions in mind before smoking cannabis for the first time.
After doing extensive research and considering my experience, I have prepared this article for a first-time cannabis Smoker that will tell you everything you need to know for a better cannabis experience.
In this beginner’s Guide for smoking weed, you will learn how to smoke weed properly, what to expect, tips for a better experience, and answers to the FAQs.
Before we get started, You need to understand that cannabis is not regulated by the government which means there are no fixed dosages or guidelines for consumption and an article like this is how most people get their cannabis knowledge.
No two people have the same experience when it comes to smoking cannabis. So, keep an open mind.
Hydrate well before smoking
It is important that you drink an ample amount of water before starting your smoking session. Don’t overdo it, just make sure that you are well hydrated.
Smoking weed tends to make people cottonmouth, this happens due to a psychoactive compound called THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).
When you smoke weed, the THC of cannabis becomes active, which makes you feel the sensation of being High.
The THC is also responsible for numbing up your salivary glands which minimizes the saliva production in your mouth making you feel thirsty and Cottonmouth. But this is a temporary state which will become normal in a few hours.
The best thing you can do is drink water before your smoking session and also keep a water bottle nearby just in case.
Make sure you are in a good place (physically & mentally) before you try weed.
Smoking cannabis for the first time is a magical experience, and you don’t wanna do it in a dump, right? Ask yourself, Is this a safe and familiar place? Is this a place where you can take a nap for a few hours without worry? Is this place well-ventilated? Is this a place where you can play music, watch movies, and have food delivered?
If the answer to all these questions is “Yes” then this is a safe space for your smoking session.
If you are in an unfamiliar place filled with strangers, with no snacks or a place to lie down then I would suggest you not have your smoking sessions there.
For first-time cannabis smokers, the experience could go either way because weed is known to heighten your senses, and if you are not in a good mental space, then there is a chance that smoking for the first time can have a negative impact but it does not always mean that the experience will always be negative.
Know that cannabis is not for everybody. For some people, smoking cannabis always leads to an unpleasant experience. So if you are smoking weed for the first time, it is recommended that you only try it, when you are in a good place both physically and mentally.
Smoke with a friend you trust
If you are smoking cannabis for the first time, it is recommended that you do it with a friend you trust, and if your friend has prior cannabis experience, it will be an added bonus.
Don’t smoke cannabis alone for the first time, because getting high is an unknown territory that you have no idea about, and it will be better to experience it with someone you trust.
Even if you get overwhelmed by the effects, there will be someone by your side to take care of you.
Avoid smoking cannabis with strangers especially for the first time but if you have to, make sure that what you are smoking is rolled in front of you and it only contains weed flowers, if it’s not the case then I would suggest you postpone your session and wait for a better opportunity.
Choose a beginner’s strain
Choosing a good cannabis strain is very important, You don’t wanna smoke a strain with very high levels of THC for the first time, otherwise, it will badly affect your experience.
There are majorly 3 categories of cannabis strains, Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. Each of them has different effects, such as sativa giving you more of an uplifted and energetic high, while indica makes you wanna sit on the couch or take a nap, however, with a hybrid strain you can get a little bit of both.
Rather than deciding between indica, sativa, or hybrid, choose how you want to feel and go from that.
Make sure that the strain you decided to smoke has an appropriate THC-to-CBD ratio. THC is a psychoactive compound that gets you high, while CBD works to reduce the adverse psychoactive effects of THC, making your experience pleasant.
The best thing you can do here is to ask a budtender at your local cannabis dispensary, they will surely suggest you a strain that will be perfect for your first smoking session.
I would suggest you try either Pennywise or Harlequin sannabis strain, Both these have a balanced combination of THC and CBD. They will be perfect for a first-time cannabis user.
Use joints. Avoid blunts, bongs, concentrates, and edibles.
There are so many ways to consume cannabis, like a joint, blunt, bong, vaping, edibles, and more. But the most popular and basic one of them is smoking a joint.
A joint is made up of a rolling paper, a crutch, and grounded cannabis. With a joint, you can have the most natural kind of cannabis experience.
If you don’t know how to roll a joint then avoid rolling one all by yourself, instead, ask your friend to do it or buy a pre-rolled cone and fill it with crushed cannabis flower, or just buy a pre-rolled joint directly from a cannabis dispensary.
If you want to make your own joint, here is a Video.
Avoid edibles for the first time, but if you are going to be eating one, make sure that you take a small portion and then wait for at least 2 hours for the effects to kick in.
In most cases, you will feel the effect somewhere between 30 mins to 2 hours. but wait at least 2 hours before taking more edibles.
Don’t try concentrates, bongs, and blunts. They can be too potent for someone who just started smoking weed.
Know the basic etiquettes of smoking cannabis (Puff, Puff, Pass)
Smoking cannabis is not just a way of getting high for some people, It is an art, a way of life, an opportunity to get together and connect with people. So, it is important that you understand the basic etiquettes of smoking cannabis with people.
The most important etiquette you need to know as a beginner is Puff, Puff, Pass. When you are smoking a joint with a group, it is really important to keep the joint moving.
So even if you are a beginner, don’t hog the joint all by yourself. Instead, take a puff, exhale, take a puff again and then pass it to the next person and wait for the joint to come to you again.
This will make smoking cannabis more enjoyable for you and everyone else.
Inhale in the smoke (don’t just keep it in the mouth)
The biggest mistake you can make while smoking weed is that you keep the smoke in your mouth and then exhale it.
This is what most beginners do, but this is an incorrect method of smoking cannabis because even if you smoke a full joint, you may not feel anything because cannabis needs to reach your lungs to have any effect.
The correct thing you can do is, take a puff of cannabis smoke slowly and let some fresh air in after you inhale the smoke, let it reach your lungs then exhale it.
Just sit back and wait for the hit to come in.
Take it slow
This is your first time smoking weed so you don’t want to rush anything. Take your sweet amount of time before smoking the next puff. For your first time, you are going to get stoned in a couple of decent puffs.
Remember that, cannabis effects are different for everyone so if your friend is feeling something doesn’t necessarily mean you are gonna experience the same thing.
High is different for everybody.
Prepare yourself for getting high (and not getting high)
You are getting baked for the first time, your friends have told you about its effects and Now you are ready for it, but even after smoking a joint you are not feeling anything. so, Is getting high a sham?
You are just smoking for the first time, you might be doing it wrong, or your body is having trouble processing this now feeling which is completely normal, Just try it again. After a few sessions, you’ll get there.
And if you are high, just sit back and relax. This is a new sensation that you are feeling could be anything like euphoric, relaxed, creative, giggly, hungry, sensitive, and more. Try to enjoy it.
Don’t smoke more if you are already feeling the buzz, otherwise you will go into a bad trip that will make you feel anxious, confused, panicked, or paranoid.
Even if you get into a bad trip, remember that it will wear off soon so just lay on the bed and wait or take a nap.
Smoking marijuana for the first time can result in one of two things. You can either get high or not.
Set up the mood (with some music)
After feeling the buzz, just try setting up the mood.
In my case, good music does it best. During my initial phase of getting baked, I used to roll a joint, open Spotify, play my favorite playlist, and just sit back with my snacks, and relax.
I find this experience best for me. You can try this or find your own thing.
Activities like, listening to music, watching movies & shows, eating, panting, and sex feel a lot better after smoking cannabis.
Embrace for the munchies (keep snacks nearby)
Munchies are natural. It’s one of the effects of THC.
When you are buzzed for the first time, You are going to feel hungry. Keep some snacks and drinks nearby and install food delivery apps and choose your order beforehand, so when you are in the buzz and feeling the munchies you can order food easily.
Never go outside or drive while being high.
Understand your limits (and don’t go beyond that)
You can either get high in a few puffs, or it can take a joint, you never know. Just make sure that you stop smoking when you start to feel the buzz.
Because even if you get a little buzz for the first time, you are going to pass out at some point, most people do. So, just make sure to stop smoking when you feel the effect and enjoy the moment.
Note the amount it takes for you to get high and mark it for future reference.
Final Thoughts
If you follow the mentioned tips, I am sure you will have a pleasant experience.
Just clear up your schedule for the day, drink some water, find a place you are comfortable with, keep snacks and drinks nearby, then light a joint with your friends, play some music, and don’t overdo it.
Try to remain calm if you start to feel the buzz, relax and enjoy the experience and if you are planning to keep smoking cannabis then get equipped with proper cannabis gear.
Happy Smoking!
What if I get too high?
If you feel like you got too high from smoking weed, just stop smoking further and distract yourself with some music or movies. Remember that what you are feeling might not be pleasant but it is temporary. Just don’t panic, just lie down and wait. Everything will get normal in a few hours.
How long does the high Last?
For your first smoking session, the high can last up to 2 to 4 hours, and it will be okay after you take a nap. But it can take up to 3 to 7 days for the weed to leave your system, completely.
When is the best time to smoke cannabis?
Anytime is good for smoking cannabis. It all depends on your convenience. For me, the best time is right after I finish my work.
For your first session, You can smoke anytime but make sure you clear your schedule for the day.
What if I overdosed on cannabis?
It is near impossible for anyone to overdose on cannabis. But if you have consumed too much cannabis, it could lead to some unpleasant experiences. In this case, try to stay calm and take a nap. You will start feeling better in a few hours.
Can I get addicted to cannabis?
No, cannabis does not cause you to get addicted. You may feel some withdrawal symptoms if you have been smoking regularly and stopped but it does not cause any physical dependence like alcohol or any other hard substances.