Cannabis acceptance is on the rise, and the legion of stoners is stronger than ever. This increased demand has led to a proliferation of interesting products like cannabis cocktails, bath bombs, and sensual lubricants–to name a few.
There was a time when picking up weed meant going to a neighborhood dealer’s house and grabbing whatever they had. Now new users might find themselves in decision paralysis on their first dispensary trip.
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Questions start flying when confronted with the often lengthy menu at the weed shop. Should you try an edible, or will it make you too high? Should you go with an old-fashioned joint, or will you be missing out on something better if you do? What are cannabis concentrates, and how do you consume them?
A solid beginner’s guide to weed can provide answers to these questions before ever stepping foot into the dispensary. Some cannabis products are ideal for those who are new to the plant, and others may be considered “expert only.” Let’s break down the basics of weed offerings meant for newcomers.
Best weed products for beginners
Pre-rolls
Pre-rolled joints provide a classic smoking experience with little experience. No need to buy the whole weed kit for grinding and rolling your own. That is already handled. While pre-rolls are easy to smoke, they can also be a hotbed for low-quality bud.
Knowing how to shop the products is essential. Ask the budtender for sun-grown or clean-green certified brands. Joints rolled with full flower rather than shake would be ideal, if possible. Check whether there is added hash or other concentrates, as this might be too intense of a high for first-timers. Lastly, check the package date. Old joints will burn hot which is not a great experience.
Edibles
Edibles are an excellent starting line for new weed consumers. They deliver a concentrated dose of cannabis over a metered period. Smoking weed can hit the brain immediately, but most garden gummies take at least 10 to 15 minutes to kick in. On top of this, they will last several hours.
These plusses come with a few cons, though. Effects can take up to an hour to kick in, which might inspire some to eat more weed as they wait. This can lead to getting too stoned, which is often very uncomfortable. Having too much weed can lead to paranoia, nausea, hallucinations, and similar potentially day-ruining symptoms.
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The effects of edibles can often feel more intense than a few hits of a joint. The body metabolizes eaten weed differently than smoking, this could look like a robust body effect or extremely befuddled mind. Be warned that the experience of eating edibles is different from smoking before buying an infused snack.
Tinctures and drinks
THC tinctures and drinks offer a familiarity to consuming cannabis. Tinctures are an extraction, combining cannabis with alcohol or oil. They are most often taken under the tongue but can be added to cannabis cocktail recipes or onto food. They can take a long time to kick in, but people often start feeling the effects as fast as fifteen minutes. Tinctures come with various cannabinoid formulations, some have more CBN for sleep, while others are THC-heavy.
Weed drinks like seltzers and alcohol dupes are a fun way to introduce newbies to the cannabis world. They are similar to what many are used to drinking in social situations and come in different cannabinoid combinations. Some offer small doses of THC with equal parts CBD, and others might have minor cannabinoids like CBG to promote a clear mind.
Liquid weed is an excellent introductory product for beginner potheads. Just be sure to keep them separate and clearly labeled so nobody accidentally has THC expecting bubble water.
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Topicals
Topical cannabis products include balms, lotions, lubricants, skincare, and so much more–anything that rubs onto the skin. Weed bath bombs could even be considered a topical cannabis product. Like tinctures and drinks, these come in specific formulations. Many of them are built to relieve pain, but they can also have other purposes. These rarely get a person high, though transdermal cannabis patches do exist and are often considered a more medical product.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a cannabis product that makes you feel comfortable and safe using weed for the first time. For a first-time experience with little risk, start with a low dose of one of these products and work up until you feel the desired effects. Then, have fun experimenting as your knowledge of cannabis grows to a higher level.
