Smoking Tips For New Cannabis Users
Smoking Tips For New Cannabis Users. The cannabis community is growing steadily and inclusive of all generations. There are many tricks of the trade in the cannabis industry that are good to know and will enhance your overall experience and make you more comfortable with the product. It can be difficult to find credible information on cannabis, so we created this Introduction to Cannabis 101 guide to help prep you for your new weed-friendly journey.
Find your favorite way to enjoy smoking cannabis.
There are many ways to smoke cannabis, from joints to bongs to bubblers; the smoking world is your oyster. Many smokers prefer the classic method of rolling a joint to share with their pals, whether old-school rolling papers, pre-rolled cones, or even hemp wraps. Still a little unsure of your rolling ability? The tried and true hand pipe also provides a quick and accessible way to smoke, with no real skill required.
In addition to glass pipes or silicone pipes, bongs are a popular option as they pack a little more of a punch and come in just as many materials and styles as pipes. Bongs use water to filter and cool the smoke’s heat before it hits your throat and lungs, which helps you get a smoother, fuller hit.
Like a bong, there are bubblers, essentially handheld bongs. Last but not least, there is the one-hitter. You can fill these pipes with just enough flowers for a couple of hits, hence the name. These are perfect for on-the-go smoking as they are small enough to carry around with you, unlike some larger pipes or bongs. With so many methods as there are to inhale your cannabis, you may as well give them all a spin to see what you prefer for your smoke sessions.
Smoking Tips For New Cannabis Users. No papers? No problem.
There will be a time when you and your best buds are about to start a smoke sesh, and nobody has rolling papers or glass on hand. There are many creative alternatives for pipes, so you’re smoke sesh can continue as scheduled. The apple pipe is one of the most common alternatives because it is so simple to create:
- Get a traditional apple and a pen.
- Take the stem off the apple and carve out a space for your bowl.
- Use a pencil to stab through your bowl, making an airway.
- Take the pencil and make another incision to create your mouthpiece ¾ down the side of the apple. The idea is to connect your mouthpiece hole to the chamber and then to the hole you made for your bowl.
- Next, push that pencil through your apple, creating a carb.
- Now, add your flower and enjoy your smoke!
There are so many different options for smoking; you should never again have to postpone a smoke break over a lack of gear.
No Apple? Try a Gravity Key or Presto Pipe, which turns household items into a pipe on the go!
Keep Your Weed Fresh And Safe
Most veteran smokers know the struggle of dried-out cannabis. Thankfully, California requires all licensed dispensaries to sell their cannabis in airtight, resealable containers that are also childproof. While this packaging ensures your cannabis stays fresh, it’s not always the most attractive packaging to keep around your house.
Whatever container you choose to display your green in, remember to switch it to another airtight container, such as a mason jar or stash jar. Be cautious not to leave it in there too long, or you will produce mold on your buds. If you leave the package open (post sesh forgetfulness is real) and your flower dries out, put an orange peel in the same jar for 8-12 hours, and your bud will come back to life.
Make sure you keep your stash airtight and in a safe location so no children or pets can get to it. One of the favorite stash container brands in the smoking community is Medtainer, a medical-grade polypropene container that keeps your buds fresh. Medtainer is the swiss army knife of stash jars because they also have teeth at the bottom of the plastic, allowing you to grind your cannabis on the go. The lid has special threading to keep it flush against the container, making it both air and watertight, which allows you to carry your precious cargo wherever you go.
Pick Up A Clipper Lighter
Many cannaseurs prefer using a Clipper lighter for all their smoking needs. This reason is trifold:
- Clipper lighters have a removable poker from underneath the ignition wheel that pulls out and is handy for packing your joint or bowl.
- Their unique shape is designed to prevent burning yourself when lighting a bowl.
- Their designs are much more creative and customizable.
Clipper lighters are a fantastic accessory for the everyday cannabis user.
Don’t Mix Weed And Alcohol
Keep in mind it is never a good idea to mix substances; however, it is especially important for those new to smoking not to mix alcohol with their cannabis consumption. When alcohol and marijuana are consumed together, it is called “crossfaded.” While you could typically handle your alcohol, consuming marijuana can intensify your buzz and leave you dizzy and disoriented. If you happen to partake in both, drink lots of water and get somewhere safe to sleep it off. Remember never to operate a vehicle when under the influence of any substance to ensure you can keep the party going for years to come.
Invest In A Quality Herb Grinder
You may be tempted to go for the cheapest and hope for the best with so many grinders. While the price point can be appealing, investing in a quality grinder will save you lots of money in the long term. Cheaper plastic grinders do not stay sharp for long and tend to break quickly, a total bummer mid-session. We do strongly recommend spending a little more money on a better-quality metal grinder. Typically, this grinder style will have three chambers; a magnetic lid, a bud grinding chamber, and a kief catcher. Higher-end grinders will stay sharp for longer, and the bottom chamber will collect all the fallen crystals, or “keif”, from your bud.
Don’t Smoke After Eating An Edible
Most of the smoking community has tried edibles, and most of them probably have their own story of that one time when they got way too high. Edibles have a reputation for sneaking up on the consumer, which is almost always due to a lack of knowledge on how they function. Edibles need to be metabolized by the body for you to begin feeling the effects, which means patience is key.
Edibles need to be treated differently than one might treat a bowl simply because the body metabolizes it differently. Be aware of the milligrams of THC in your snack, and carefully portion out your dose. It is always best to go for a slightly smaller dose and then wait 45 minutes to an hour before taking any more. Waiting before you up your dose is essential as you need to give your body time to begin digesting the THC. Remember, you can always ingest more later on after you assess the effects of the edible. Be mindful, be patient, and you’ll have a great time.
Get Yourself A Rolling Machine
Rolling machines are such a helpful tool for those who enjoy smoking flowers. A rolling machine is a little gadget that you stuff your flower into, spin a couple of times, add your rolling paper, seal it, and bam, your perfect joint. Rolling machines, just like paper, come in many sizes! Be sure to use a rolling tray as a mat to catch your excess flower that fell out while using your rolling machine.
DIY pipe cleaning solution
If you use a glass piece when smoking, it is important to keep that piece clean. A dirty pipe means there is built-up tar and resin from prior smoke sessions, gunk unappetizing to any pals smoking with you. You can always buy a glass pipe cleaning solution that will do the trick, but making your cleaning solution is relatively simple if you’re in a pinch. A very common cleaning method for glass pipes, bongs, and rigs is a simple mixture of coarse salt and rubbing alcohol.
- Take two Ziploc bags and put your empty piece in the first bag.
- Next, place salt inside your piece, and then add a little extra in the bag for good cleaning measure.
- Pour sufficient rubbing alcohol into the bag to submerge your piece.
- Ziploc the bag and put it into another bag to ensure it won’t bust open and spill all over you.
- Now, shake vigorously, careful not to break your piece. Shake the bag letting the coarse salt and alcohol remove the resin out of your piece.
- When you feel clean, take out your piece and rinse with water.
If you still have resin, throw it back in the bag and shake it, remembering to rinse after each alcohol soak. Your pipe should look as good as new and ready for your smoke break by a few rinses.
Find Your Favorite marijuana strain
There are two main types of bud in the cannabis world; Indica and Sativa. Each has its medicinal purposes that work differently for each person. Thankfully, there is a saying to remember the two and their functions. First, there is Indica or” in da couch,” meaning a heavy, full-body high. Then there is Sativa, like Stevia, meaning sugar which is supposed to make you more proactive when consumed.
Since growers like to create new strains, they always make hybrids between the two; Indica dominant or Sativa dominant. A hybrid will have a dominant gene that will make your bud lean, either Indica or Sativa. Each strain affects each person differently. Explore the strains and find the right bud for you!
What To Do When You Overindulge
Every seasoned smoker has a story or two to tell about when they got too high. For some, it might include going on a philosophical tangent with their friends that they enjoyed, and for others, it might mean that they felt weird and had a not-so-nice time. The first rule about smoking with friends is never to peer pressure anyone, so your friends should understand and respect your choice to refrain for a bit.
If you ever feel like you are approaching your limits, don’t be afraid to take a break from the smoke circle. In addition, you can also have some CBD on hand in case this happens. CBD helps bring you back “down” from a high that is overwhelming to you, especially as a beginner. CBD vape cartridges and tinctures are recommended for maximum efficiency in this situation.
Conclusion To Smoking Tips For New Cannabis Users
There are so many ways when it comes to enjoy your cannabis! There’s no right or wrong way to consume your new favorite smoking herb, from pipes and bubblers to rolling papers and edibles. If you’re a newbie, don’t be scared to try out many different ways of smoking and see what fits best in your lifestyle.
Call up your tribe and have them show you some of the basics to take some of the anxiety out of your first few smoking experiences. What’s most important is to figure out what form of consumption works best for you to enjoy the full transformative power of cannabis.
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