Welcome to the wonderful world of weed. You’ve just entered a place full of good vibes and relaxation – perhaps a new experience for you. But, like any new experience, it can be a bit confusing or overwhelming at first. How do you smoke weed? What are the different methods? What should you expect?
Don’t worry; this beginner’s guide on how to consume cannabis will answer all your questions and then some. We’ll cover the different types of cannabis, various product forms, smoking methods, dosage tips, and more.
1. Choose Between Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid
Before you can smoke cannabis, you have to buy it! Many people are completely blown away by the sheer amount of variety there is to choose from. There are literally hundreds of different strains. It might make you feel like you don’t know which way to look.
One easy way to make an initial decision is to look at the three main categories of cannabis to choose from: Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.
Indica strains, like Gary Payton from Cookie’s Flowers, are known for their relaxing, mellow effects. They’re perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day or getting a good night’s sleep. Physically, Indicas can make you feel heavy and couch-locked.
Sativa strains, on the other hand, are more energizing and uplifting. Options like Fresh Powder #9 can boost your mood, enhance creativity, and promote focus.
Hybrids are a mix of both. The effects depend on which type is dominant in that particular strain. Some hybrids are more balanced, while others lean more towards Indica (Sunset Sherbert) or Sativa properties (Rainbow Belts X Banana.)
If you’ve never consumed cannabis before, we recommend going with a Hybrid so you don’t go too far in one direction.
2. Decide on a Product Type
Now that you know the different strain types, it’s time to pick your poison (just an expression; weed is considered to be very safe). You’ve got a few options on the form. In the end, it always remains the same plant. However, it can be processed in different ways to create new products.
Flower
Flower is just the dried buds of the cannabis plant. It’s the most traditional form of weed, and it’s what you’ll grind up and smoke in a joint, pipe, or bong. The effects kick in fast, usually within minutes, and wear off within a few hours. Flower is great because you can really taste and smell the different strains. Plus, it’s versatile – you can smoke it, vape it, or even cook with it.
Edibles
Speaking of cooking, let’s chat about edibles. If smoking isn’t your thing, edibles might be the way to go. These are foods and drinks infused with cannabis, usually in the form of brownies, gummies, chocolate bars, or even savory snacks.
Edibles can be a tasty and discreet way to consume cannabis. Just be careful – the effects can take a couple of hours to hit since the THC has to be processed by your liver. And once they do hit, they can last way longer than smoking, up to 8 hours or more. Start with a low dose (5mg or less) and be patient.
Concentrates
Concentrates are super potent cannabis extracts, like wax, shatter, oil, and distillate. They’re made by extracting the THC and other cannabinoids from the plant using solvents like butane or CO2.
Concentrates can have THC levels up to 90% or more, compared to around 20% for flowers. They’re not for beginners, so maybe hold off on these until you’re more experienced. If you do try concentrates, use a tiny amount, as a little goes a very long way.
Topicals
Finally, topicals are cannabis-infused products that you apply directly to your skin. Think lotions, balms, oils, and patches. They’re great for localized pain and inflammation, like sore muscles or arthritis.
The cannabinoids interact with receptors in your skin, but they won’t get you high because they don’t enter your bloodstream. Topicals are a good choice if you want the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.
3. Choose Your Delivery Method
While topicals don’t get you a psychoactive buzz, most other forms do. Yet, they don’t do so in the same way. The key thing to remember here is how cannabinoids work. You want them to enter your bloodstream so they can make their way to your brain and deliver those therapeutic, euphoric effects you’re after.
To achieve this, you’ve got a few accessory options:
The Traditional Joint
Joints are the classic way to smoke cannabis. All you need are some rolling papers and your flower. A grinder is optional but useful to grind up the bud before sprinkling it in the paper, rolling it up, and sparking it.
Now, rolling a joint is somewhat of an art form, and it will likely take more than one try to get it perfect. But once you do, there’s nothing quite like the ritual of rolling those Js. If you’re new to it, you might want to start with a pre-rolled joint to save yourself from the hassle.
Joints are portable, disposable, and easy to share. Puff puff pass optional.
Bongs and Pipes
If you want to level up from joints, try a bong or pipe. Bongs are water pipes that filter and cool the smoke for a smoother hit. First, you must add water to the base and pack the bowl with ground flower. Once you light it and inhale, the smoke will travel through the water, cooling it down before entering your lungs.
Pipes are smaller and more portable than bongs. Plus, they come in all sorts of fun colors and designs. To use a pipe, just pack the bowl, light, and inhale from the mouthpiece. Keep your piece clean for the best flavor and to prevent clogs.
Vaporizers
Vapes heat up your weed to a temperature that releases the THC and other cannabinoids in a vapor without actually burning the plant material. Some people prefer vaping because it’s easier on the lungs and doesn’t produce as much odor. Vapes come in different forms, from portable vape pens to larger tabletop models.
Dab Rigs
Dab rigs are specialized glass pipes for smoking concentrates (remember those?) You heat up the “nail” with a torch, then drop a dab of concentrate on it and inhale through the mouthpiece. Dabbing can be intense because concentrates are so potent. The effects hit hard, and they hit fast.
4. Understand Your Tolerance and Dosage
By now, you have all the equipment and products you need for your session. The next step is dosing. That means choosing the amount of cannabis you will be consuming. Everyone reacts to cannabis differently based on factors like biology, experience level, and the specific product. Tolerance is an especially relevant factor here. [1]
Just like coffee and alcohol, your body can adjust to cannabis over time. You may need more to reach the same effect every time you consume, depending on how often you do it.
Our advice? Take it slow at first, especially if you’re new to smoking or if it’s been a while and your tolerance is near its baseline. Start with just a puff or two and wait 15-30 minutes before having more.
You can always smoke more, but you can’t unsmoke it!
The same goes for edibles and pretty much any other form of cannabis. Be patient and don’t overdo it. Over time, you’ll figure out what amount works best for you.
5. Know When and Where to Consume
Finally, be smart about when and where you smoke. Don’t drive under the influence – it’s dangerous and illegal. Avoid smoking in public places where it’s not allowed, like parks, sidewalks, or most businesses.
And be considerate of people around you who might not want to be around weed smoke, like children, pregnant women, or people with respiratory issues. When in doubt, just keep it private and low-key.
If you are unsure about the law in New Jersey, feel free to peruse the official government website. [2]
Visit One Green Leaf in Gibbsboro, NJ
Congratulations, you are now ready to get started and know the basics of how to smoke cannabis! If you’re in the Gibbsboro area, come visit us at One Green Leaf. Our budtenders would be happy to chat more and help you find the perfect products to suit your needs and preferences. We’ve got a wide selection of high-quality flowers, tinctures, and more to choose from.
Ps. First-time customers get a special discount!