The Best Ways to Introduce Someone to Marijuana

When you consume marijuana, you feel pretty comfortable with cannabis. Cheaper than cocktails, better for the body than alcohol and lower in calories than beer. You can’t help but be a fan and a friend who is curious about cannabis. Data shows that people have their first experiences with weed for a variety of reasons – medical, anxiety, need for sleep, or just for fun… but are usually hesitant because they don’t have a good guide or friend to help them. Here are the best ways to introduce someone to marijuana.

If your first time was a good experience, great! If not, you can help prevent an unfortunate event for your loved one. So get out your stash and remember: a friend with weed is a friend indeed.

1. Knowledge is power

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Some people want to know everything that goes into their body, right down to the number of syllables on the ingredient list from their last Whole Foods purchase. Others may not care, but since possible effects are likely to be a factor, it’s helpful to discuss why they want to get high and what they want from it. Here are some surface talking points.

THC: Is the substance in cannabis that gets you high? In general, the higher the THC percentage, the stronger the cannabis. However, other factors also play a role. The dosage (see below), the method of ingestion (more later), and even age and weight can affect the high. Legal cannabis should have a label showing the THC content (15 percent or less is good for first-time users) and the next substance content…

CBD: Is the pain-relieving compound in marijuana. Does your buddy finally want to understand why so many otherwise smart people listen to Pink Floyd unhindered? Or does their back really hurt and are they scared to death that their doctor will prescribe them opioids? In the latter case, a high CBD percentage (4 is considered “high” CBD) is better.

Indica vs Sativa: These two strains are the Y and Yang of marijuana. Simply put, sativa is the “head” high that makes most users happy, and some even use it to complete everyday tasks like housework or filing taxes (seriously, does your accountant look drained?). The latter was a joke, but if you want to spend some time talking and laughing, sativa might be a better choice.

Indica is the “body” high. It promotes calm, sleep, and helps with pain (or, in the author’s case, an enjoyable evening watching the NBA). In its most powerful form, it can put a user to sleep or cause “couch relaxation” in a short period of time, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

Most legal cannabis stores have a wide selection of hybrids that combine both. And for all practical purposes, most of the marijuana you’ll buy is some sort of hybrid.

RELATED: 7 Types of Marijuana for Beginners and Those With Low Tolerance

If you’re an experienced cannabis user, a few questions from your newbie should help you decide what THC/CBD content and strain is best to start with. If you’re not sure, tell your budtender exactly what effect they want to achieve. When my team was in the Super Bowl and I was shopping for game day, someone asked me, “Do you think they will win or lose?”

2. Comfortable environment

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Your Boyfriend’s First Time is not fit for a Taylor Swift concert, with the dazzling lighting effects and massive dance routines. Or to show off your new 7.1 surround sound system with the richly rattling subwoofer. Although it is impossible to overdose on the herb, the resulting confusion can lead to paranoia, which in some cases can even lead to panic. Make it easy for your friend.

A long-time cannabis user who has helped many friends and family members for the first time offers this advice:

“The most important factor is comfort. Talk about expectations. If the first-time visitor is too nervous or anxious, it certainly won’t be a positive experience. Make sure there is a place for your friend to sit down and relax if the experience becomes uncomfortable.”

This usually means they are home when they don’t have to be somewhere until tomorrow and the bed is just a stone’s throw away. Put on an old favorite movie. And have lots of water. Avoid alcohol. They need to learn what it’s like to be high before they mingle. And something to eat. Preferably pizza. Is there anything more satisfying and relaxing than pizza? Two great flavors etc.

3. Fools rush in

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Take it slow. Just because Jeff Spicoli is your spirit animal doesn’t mean you should be

Try smoking everything at once. Even if you are a semi-regular cannabis enthusiast, you will have built up some tolerance. Start with a small dose. Share a bowl or half a joint. If they feel it coming on, ask them to describe the feeling. If they want to do more, do more. But slowly. Then ask again.

RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Marijuana Dosage for Beginners

Marijuana is not for everyone. But everyone deserves to not feel like their brain has been repeatedly hit with a mallet the first time they go outside.

4. Smoking or vaping

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Your friend may not smoke. And be afraid of smoking or vaping. But this is a viable way to moderate. The start of consuming an edible can take up to two hours and depends on various factors in addition to the strength. During this time there is a natural impulse to say, “Nothing is happening. Maybe I need more.” That sounds harmless until you end up like Maureen Dowd, the New York Times columnist who traveled to Denver and ended up writing something that can be seen as a cautionary tale for not to research.

Photo by Jamie Grill/Getty Images

Your new marijuana friend will feel the effects more quickly and can stop smoking after just a few puffs. A quick rule: don’t dab. For a newbie, it can literally be too much of a good thing (see above).