Like a virgin, smoking for the very first time
THIS WEEK we are focusing on the virgins of Cannabis. That would be anyone who has never smoked or used Cannabis, or anyone who smoked decades ago and are considering coming back to the legal market. Here are some ideas, tips, details and information that will help you find the right strain for your situation.
What is amazing is, there are lots of ways to enjoy cannabis. You can smoke a joint, bong, pipe or a vaporizer which can be easier on your lungs. You can eat Cannabis-infused edibles, from chocolates to gummies, and even drink Cannabis in sodas.
For the virgin, we recommend you start with 5 milligrams and wait an hour to see how you feel after a few hours. If you don’t feel anything at all, consume another 5 milligrams and wait for the effect. Edibles take 45 minutes to an hour to fully take effect, so you don’t want to eat the entire chocolate bar if it’s 100 milligrams, for instance. If you take too much, you will feel like you are sluggish, stupid, some feel like they are dying with shallow breath, or running on all cylinders. In general we find between 5 and 10 milligrams to be a great starting point. What are tinctures? These are extractions from the flower to make oils. From this oil, you have choices such as vaping. You can find a variety of Vape pens to install the oil and it looks like an eCig for Cannabis oil. Personally, we prefer live resin because it is pure and typically tastes great, and Wendy really enjoys hash, which is a pressed or compressed product that contains THC concentrates.
There are a plethora of other concentrates, like rosin, wax, shatter and dabs. These are intense and not recommended for beginners. Wax and oils can contain 90 percent THC — we do not recommend these for most casual consumers. Which strain or product would you recommend? There are three types of strains. Sativa can make you a tad paranoid or anxious or give you energy, help you be creative and can be good for cleaning the house. Indica stands for “in da couch.” It is to help you relax, sleep or be less anxious. Next is the hybrid strain, which combines both Sativa and Indica. And did you know there are over 700+ unique strains of flower?
These strains create different experiences, so you want to be clear on what experience you desire. We suggest talking with a trained bud-tender about your needs before purchasing weed. Tell them you need pain relief, to sleep, to relax, to laugh or to have a sense of euphoria or energy.
Another option is CBD, which is excellent if you want a milder experience, especially dealing with anxiety or pain. CBD stands for Cannabodial, which is made from Cannabis Hemp, but without the THC, or sometimes minimal THC. CBD comes from hemp, the male plant. It contains less than 0.3 percent THC, so it’s perfect for inflammation and pain or anxiety.
Terpenes are so cool. We encourage you to smell the flower products. Some dispensaries will let you, others are still practicing the Covid “no smell” rule. You will notice distinct smells from the
different plants. These Terpenes are responsible for the aromas and smells and flavor. There are about 400 known terpenes in cannabis and they have specific effects. The terpenes will be listed either on the packaging, or you can ask the bud-tender.
Here are some common terpenes and their potential effects:
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE: A major ingredient in cloves, rosemary and hops, beta-caryophyllene is beneficial for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
BETA-PINENE: If you’ve strolled through a coniferous forest, you know the smell of beta-pinene, which could also have potentially an antidepressant.
HUMULENE: This terpene is found in ginseng, which has long been used in folk medicine for energizing effects.
LIMONENE: One of the most commonlyfound terpenes, limonene has distinct citrus notes and is known to have antianxiety properties.
LINALOOL: Lovers of lavender as aromatherapy may want to seek out cannabis with linalool, which may alleviate stress.
MYRCENE: Found in mangoes, myrcene has antifungal and antibacterial properties and can have sedating effects.
And finally, Here are some helpful questions to ask a bud-tender:
HIGH TIMES IN THE HIGH DESERT By Wendy Robbins and Karen Paul
What is your favorite product?
I would follow that question up with why do you like it? Or what are your bestsellers? It can be confusing when you go into a dispensary as there are a lot of choices of everything. These questions narrow down your picks.
What do you have that is similar to (other product you enjoyed?)
We like Blue Dream. Sometimes dispensaries are out of that strain, so we will ask for the next-best Sativa. It’s good to try new products and new strains.
Do you have any deals or sales right now?
There are sales typically for new customers or to celebrate a day or holiday. Some will give you a birthday pre-roll.
Are these products third-party tested?
You want to make sure the flower doesn’t have pesticides or heavy metal in the soil. You can check out certificates of analysis to confirm the flower is clean. Personally, I stay clear of pesticides and choose to eat organic food for the same reason.
Bottom line
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Take it slow. Small doses to start. Keep cannabis away from pets and children. Don’t drive under the influence. Have fun.