About to Get Groovy with Cannabis for the First Time? We Got Your Back.
As someone who’s smoked, munched, vaped, sipped, and even absorbed cannabis more often than you’d take a breath in a minute and who covers cannabis trends, I get a ton of stories about how different buds and products hit people differently.
Discussing these experiences is how most of us get to know the do’s and don’ts of lighting up (remember, we’re still navigating unclear federal guidelines).
So here’s a handy list of tips, pointers, and things to remember when you light up your first joint.
It’d Be Best If You Remembered The Legal Stuff
In Thailand, cannabis was legalized for medical purposes in 2018, and by the summer of 2022, its consumption was fully legalized, making Thailand the first country in Asia to do so.
The rules surrounding cannabis are less regulated than almost anywhere else in the world, allowing for its cultivation, sale, and consumption with minimal restrictions.
You can purchase and, with a license, sell as much cannabis as you want.
1. Forget the High vs. Not-High Binary
Informal weed talk changes every time a country or municipality legalizes Mary Jane. But what hasn’t changed much is how people describe the feeling of being high.
“I think there’s some mental unpacking necessary to rid ourselves of anti-cannabis propaganda that came with prohibition,” says Win, owner of HAF.
When it comes to weed talk, it’s common to hear discussions packed with binaries—intoxicating or not intoxicating, psychoactive or not psychoactive.
This bias usually surfaces when comparing CBD and THC. The truth is, your experience with cannabis can lie anywhere on a spectrum—depending on the product, your mindset, and your surroundings.
Feeling a little jittery? Lean into it. Those binaries exist because they seem comforting.
They lay down guidelines and kill confusion, but they offer a false sense of security. Exploring the unknown just might enhance your first cannabis experience.
2. Take It Easy with Strains
Strains, or cultivars as we call them, are often classified as indica or sativa.
These terms suggest that indica gives you a euphoric body high while sativa leads to a dynamic and cerebral high. These labels aren’t precisely wrong, but they sure are subjective.
Reducing cannabis to just these two classes throws a lot of other influences out the window—including flavonoids and terpenes.
Instead of going blindly with indica or sativa, think about how you want to feel: creative and energetic? relaxed and introspective? Or are there any medicinal benefits like pain relief or appetite stimulation you’re after?
A cannabis specialist or your dispensary budtender can guide you in the right direction based on these answers.
3. Let Your Nose Lead You
If you’re in the driver’s seat while choosing your product, Ellen Holland, cannabis journalist and author, advises trusting your nose.
“The aromatic compounds in cannabis, terpenes, influence how the high hits you,” she explains. Some of the common flavor profiles include fruit, floral, fuel, and earth.
Holland shares that fruity cultivars are inspiring while floral ones are conducive to introspection. The punch from fuel-like cultivars (as in Sour Diesel) is powerful.
In contrast, the earthy-smelling ones tend to cause relaxing effects. “Hence, it’s always better to gravitate towards scents you find magnetic. The lemony zest in Gelonade suggests an invigorating experience.
The musky aroma of the classic OG Kush indicates a potent and soothing sesh,” she advises.
4. Try Edibles (Start Small, Though)
Edibles can be the perfect starting point if you don’t want to dive deep into the plant’s subtleties or deal with smoking’s health effects. Be cautious about the type and dosage, though.
Edibles made with live resin generally pack a bigger punch. Unlike smoking where cannabis is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, edibles are metabolized in the liver leading to a longer-lasting high.
At higher doses, it can even lead to a psychedelic experience.
For your first time, go for a bite of around 5 mg or less (2.5 mg would be ideal).
Remember, edibles take longer to kick in than smoking. So wait for at least an hour or two before reaching for more.
5. Know Your Dose
Dr. Jordan Tishler, president and CEO of inhaleMD, agrees that getting the dose right is crucial.
He explains, “If cannabis results in discomfort or anxiety, your dose is simply too high.” This statement rings true for those who have tried weed once and decided it wasn’t for them.
“It’s not about strains or CBD ratios. Those aren’t validated by studies,” Tishler adds.
He further insists your budtender should guide you on what to take and how much. “Often, lesser doses than expected tend to work best,”.
6. Let Go of Any Previous Cannabis Experience
For those who have had an unpleasant experience with weed in the past, Chasen shares a few guidelines to remember.
She recommends asking yourself these questions: “What is the kind of experience you’re aiming for? We know what you do not want, but do you have specific therapeutic goals?
A mood you’d like to create using weed?” She further suggests exploring other consumption methods. For instance, if smoking didn’t work out the last time, you could try tinctures or edibles instead.
Chasen is currently a big fan of tinctures—some are exclusively cannabis, while others combine cannabis with supportive botanicals, like adaptogenic mushrooms and herbs.
7. Get the Right Vibe
Chasen also emphasizes the importance of a comfortable setting and company for an optimal experience.
“Your first time with cannabis is not when you should be meeting someone new. Be with people you trust in a location where you feel safe,” she advises.
8. Have a Safety Net
Sometimes, hitting the limit might get uncomfortable. If that happens, Tishler’s got an easy fix. He suggests, “Relax with your pals, watch some light-hearted TV, and go to sleep.
You’ll be fine in the morning.” While there are numerous anecdotal remedies suggested by fellow cannabis users from chewing peppercorns to drinking lemon tea, their effectiveness hasn’t been proven scientifically. Always have a backup plan in place.
9. Reflect
Finally, Chasen notes that being high and being comfortable with it still holds plenty of mystery—not just for first-time users but all tokers.
“If you were taught how to deal with this experience if you were taught to be intentional about consuming, you could find valuable insights about yourself through another trip,” she explains seriously.
None of this is to say you should aim for an ego death right away—but do give yourself some space for introspection after your experience. If it was good—why?
Did it unlock unexpected feelings or perspectives? If things went south—what made it uncomfortable? Did you feel physically ill? Did uneasy emotions surface? Every stoney experience—good or bad—can be a stepping stone in the journey of self-discovery.
The Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for your first experience with cannabis. Each one of us is unique. But if you stay relaxed, do a little homework, and dive into the unexplored, chances are you’ll have a blast.
