5 Tips for First-time Cannabis Consumers
Wanting to try cannabis for the first time?
Due to a lack of federal regulations and guidance around cannabis consumption, most new consumers still only learn about cannabis through dispensary salespeople or word of mouth.
But Clearly California is here to help you with some first-timer tips.
1. Let go of pre-conceived beliefs about cannabis
Before you begin, try to let go of the high versus sober binary idea. The effects of cannabis lie on a broad spectrum. Some people don’t feel anything the first time they try cannabis. Some people feel a lot of effects. Everyone’s unique experience depends on the dosage, consumption method, product quality, THC concentration, and their body. You will not fully know how you specifically react to marijuana until you try it.
If you have tried cannabis before and had a bad experience, it’s important to let go of that too. The consumption and effects of marijuana are not a monolith. You can have more control over your experience by being clear about how you want to feel.
2. Consider what effects you are seeking
Think about how you want to feel. What outcome do you want? Do you want to feel relaxed and sleepy? Energized and creative?
There is a large amount of plant diversity when it comes to cannabis. Perhaps you have heard of the three main types of weed – sativas, indicas, and hybrids. These are strains of cannabis plants that produce different effects. Sativas are generally uplifting and energizing, while indicas are more relaxing and introspective. Hybrids are a mix of the two.
When you understand how you want to feel, you can make better decisions about what to consume and how much.
For some guidance on where to start, we created a quick quiz to help you match the best Clearly California products with the experience you’re craving.
There are also resources like Leafly to help you research strains and their reported effects.
Expert Tip: Use Your Nose
If you want to smoke flower, pay attention to the plant's smell. Like a fine wine, each flower has its own personality. But unlike wine, the flower's scent can hint at the effects it will have.
Here are the most common cannabis scents and what they tend to entail:
Fruity = more uplifting
Earthy = more relaxing
Floral = more introspective
Fuel/Gas = more powerful
3. Start low and go slow
For first-timers, we recommend starting low and going slow – meaning start with a low dose and don’t take more immediately. We also recommend starting with a lower THC content – the higher the THC content, the more intense the effects. If cannabis provokes discomfort or anxiety, the dose is too high.
That’s why starting with oils – like live resins, diamonds, or High-Terpene Extract – is not advised. These are high in THC content and produce effects that could be too intense for first-time users.
We recommend starting with either good old-fashioned smoking, vaping, or edibles. It’s easier to control smaller doses with these consumption methods. However, the effects of each of these consumption methods operate on different timelines.
Consider this:
Smoking or vaping cannabis: you will feel the effects in the first 10 to 15 minutes, and they will last for up to several hours
Taking edibles: you won’t feel the effects for 30 minutes to 2 hours, and they can last for up to 12 hours
We have all heard stories about people who took too many edibles. If you’re starting with edibles, wait a couple hours before deciding to take more.
Remember: you can always increase the dosage later, but you can’t take a dose away once you’ve already consumed it.
4. Know where your product comes from
Unfortunately, not all plants are high-quality. Without intentional growing practices, they can be grown with nasty stuff. Clearly California began making pesticide-free, solvent-free, high-quality products above industry standards years before anyone else.
Always ask the person selling you the product where it came from. We don’t want to see you get hurt by a bad product.
5. Get Ready to Cough
If you are smoking or vaping, you will likely cough. That’s totally okay. Accept that the coughing will eventually pass, and you will be okay.
Ready to go?
If you need some help choosing a product to get started, we can help.
We hope you enjoy your first time!