It’s undeniable. Pot is more popular than ever. Every day, more folks are taking a first-time toke and finally beginning to understand what all those rap songs are about. Some people want to relax with something other than a glass of wine at the end of the day. Any reason to consume weed is a good one, but one fact remains: have a bad first time with Mary Jane, and it might be your last.

Marijuana is a mind-altering substance, and it can sometimes trigger feelings of anxiety. It’s a classic case of too much of a good thing. The sensation of being high affects different people in different ways. Before you take a killer bong hit, get hip to the ganja facts with our quick first tips – so you can avoid any uncomfortable feelings during your first session.

Learn the Weed Strain Game

There are three types of marijuana strains to enjoy, and each delivers a different kind of high:

• Cannabis Indica: Known for making you feel drowsy or causing you to rip your kitchen to shreds in search of snacks. Described as a “body” high. Couch potatoes please apply.
• Cannabis Sativa: A more cerebral experience. Users describe feeling being creative and having lower inhibitions. Known as a “head” high. Sativas are great for creativity, being active, and social events.
• Cannabis Hybrid: A cross between indica and sativa varieties. Hybrids are a good option for newbies to feel a full-body bonanza without getting too sedated or paraniod.

No marijuana strain is better than any other. It all comes down to personal preference. Explore! Half the fun is the journey, and you’re sure to reach your destination however you chose to get high.

Tools of Weed Lovers

But in order to reach that destination, you’re going to need some gear. From smoking, vaping, and dabbing; to edibles, tinctures and topicals, knowing where to start can be intimidating. And while we certainly encourage enthusiasm, the biggest risk to new users is a potential panic attack from too potent a dosage. Luckily, it’s very easy to avoid if you know what you are doing.

Smoking Weed

Break up your bud into small pieces, roll it up in a paper or cigar wrapper, and fire it up. Easy peasy. Known as a blunt, joint, or spliff, smoking is the most traditional method for consuming weed. Alternatively, you can use a pipe or a bong to inhale smoke. Using a piece is easier to prepare than a joint. Just keep it clean and it will be ready to sesh whenever you are. Keep in mind that bongs are have larger chambers and deliver more smoke to your lungs than a blunt or pipe – so take it easy and don’t take a monster hit your first time.

If you choose to use a bong, start with one or two smaller hits that don’t completely fill the tube. Inhale the smoke and release. Let the high settle in; if you another hit after 15 minutes, load up the bowl, and hit it again. Take your time and get to a good place. Then play some Super Mario, listen to Billy Idol, or watch Dave Chappelle.

Marijuana Edibles

Edibles are growing rapidly in popularity, partly because they are discreet and smoke free. Edibles, as the name suggests, are consumed orally as various forms of food. Cookies, chocolates, gummy bears – virtually anything that can carry THC, the molecule that gets you high. If you decide to start your cannabis journey with an edible, start by consuming very small amounts. Only eat more if you feel nothing after a full hour, when it's safe to take another small bite. No matter how delicious that weed-infused queso cheese dip is. Crossing the line with edibles can happen unexpectedly, and when it does, it’s no fun: the effects can linger for hours.

Cannabis Dabbing

Dabbing is like the bigger, older, arm-wrestling cousin to smoking. A dab rig has a similar design to a bong, but uses concentrated THC instead of plant buds. Dabbing can be extremely potent. If you’ve never gotten high before and someone suggests a dab, the smart play is to tread lightly. Very lightly. Weed dabs are out of the wheelhouse for new recruits. That said, if you decide to try marijuana for the first time with a dab, take just one small hit to start. Trust us, you’ll thank us later.

Marijuana and Alcohol

Don’t mix weed and liquor, as least for your first time. People tend to be tempted by new vices while drunk, and smoking pot is not the best idea if you’re blowing a 0.19 BAC. For starters, there’s a chance you’ll feel nauseated or want to fall asleep. In addition, alcohol increases potency of active ingredients in cannabis, while marijuana can exacerbate the feeling of drunkeness. Sounds good, right? Wrong – at least for first timers. Not only can combining marijuana and alcohol feel overwhelming, you’ll miss out on your first fun weed experience!

And those are the quickest-and-dirty tips you need to get started with mariijuana today. Getting high on weed should be awesome. No doubt. But there’s much to learn still Padawan – and that’s half the fun. Much like fine wine, cannabis can be a deep and engaging hobby, where there’s always something new to learn, whether it be about the universe, yourself, or a newly developed cannabis strain.