The opinions expressed herein are those of the author. Consult with your doctor before taking any form of cannabis. Start low, go slow.
Starting out with cannabis can be a rewarding experience, full of interesting options and many decisions. But what types of cannabis products are a good format to start?
When you’re done reading this article, you’ll be familiar enough with a few methods of consumption to take the first step on your own, under the guidance of your doctor, of course.
Starting with Flower, Vape, or Edibles is right for most people, but why?
Here are some tips as you get started on your journey towards cannabis wellness.
Flower
Cannabis flower, the raw form of the plant, is a great place for many to start. Many of us have smelled a pre-roll joint burning at a summer concert or been offered a hit by friends in college. Rolling up ground cannabis is natural for some of us, and it’s easy to regulate your consumption at first because the cannabinoid or THC content of the cannabis flower is usually low enough that one hit won’t make you too tired or “stoned”. (Note- make sure to check the THC content!)
To get started, grind up the cannabis flower and place it in a glass pipe, bowl, bong, or pre-roll cone.Take a small hit and wait to feel the full effects before taking any more.
You can also buy Pre-rolled joints or cannabis pre-rolls in packs.
Pros:
Familiar, popular method. Low potency (usually), fast onset and the effect generally lasts 1-2 hours.
Cons:
In most cases, the flower must be heated to activate the cannabinoids that cause euphoria.
Smoking or vaping flower might be intimidating for beginners.
Edibles
Many cannabis newbies start with edibles simply because they’re easy to consume and discreet. Many edibles come in large doses, however. I’ve seen single edible gummies with as high as 500MG of THC! THat’s 100 (5)Mg doses!
Edibles can be a good place to start as long as you know the dose you’re taking. Since many gummies come in a standard 10MG dose, you’ll want to be careful here. Even for a seasoned cannabis connisuer like me, 10 MG is usually too much unless I’m experiencing extreme pain, and in that case it’s usually just about right. You’ll want to start with a much smaller dose until you know what’s right for you.
Many THC edibles come in microdoses of 2 MG or less, and you may find that for your first experience, this is a good place to start. Consult with a medical professional before taking any cannabis product.
Important notes about edibles dosing:
It can take 2 hours or more to feel the effects of a THC edible. Many newbies don’t feel the effects right away and make the mistake of eating another piece. Make sure your first time, you are taking a very small dose, which may be less than 1 piece from your package.It’s important to wait a full 2 hours to feel the effects before taking more or calibrating your dose for next time. We recommend keeping a cannabis dosage and experience journal so you know what to expect. And as with any drug, start low, go slow. Never use cannabis without asking your doctor first, it could result in an unpleasant experience or interact with other drugs or medications.
Pros:
Easy to consume, discreet, readily available, long lasting (if you’re into that sort of thing)
Cons:
Often contains sugar, often in high doses per piece / package, lasts 6-8 hours, easy to over-consume
Vape
Vapes are popular for newbies who want a quick and easy method of consumption without the smell. When discretion is important, many cannabis pros and beginners alike turn to vapes. They can be slipped into a backpack, purse, pocket, and are easy to consume on-the go. Just like any other inhalable, Vapes have a quick onset generally within 10 minutes to feel the full effect, and can wear off quickly, too.
Some vapes have a smell, for example, live resin vapes, because much of the good stuff inside like terpenes and flavonoids are being vaporized, too.
If you’re looking for a vape experience with little to no smell, look for vapes made from THC or CBD isolate without terpenes. Isolate has almost no color, taste, or smell. However, you’re compromising on the effect when you use an isolate, because you won’t get the full effect of all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids within the cannabis plant. This is often referred to as “The Entourage Effect” – and it’s one I prefer.
Isolate vapes can make me feel uneasy or give me a slight headache. On the other hand, I have friends who wouldn’t use anything else and they love them. It’s a good idea to remember that each person will respond to cannabis differently, so it’s OK to experiment and find what works for you, under the guidance of a doctor or healthcare professional, of course.
Pros:
Discrete, easy to use, fast onset / offset, there are many kinds to choose from.
Cons:
Some say it can be harsh on the lungs, it can be tough to regulate dosage since vapes are generally potent, isolate versions may lack the entourage effect, there are many kinds to choose from.
Common tips, pitfalls and things to watch out for:
- Make sure you start with an extremely low dose and keep track of how it made you feel.
- If you didn’t have a good experience, find out why. For example, I prefer vapes and don’t usually like edibles in any dose over 2MG, and only with multiple cannabinoids present.To each their own!
- Make sure you give the cannabis time to take full effect!
- If you take cannabis alongside something fatty, like peanut butter, then it has a better chance of getting past the blood-brain barrier. Since cannabis is generally fat-soluable, the fat content helps to make sure you’re getting the full euphoric effect.
