The Ultimate Guide to Marijuana for Beginners

With marijuana becoming mainstream, 90% of people wanting it legally, and California becoming more sober, perhaps it’s time to give marijuana a try. There are a few nuances to finding the best way to use marijuana for you. Without a friend or guide, most learn by trial and error and under the guidance of a mentor. That makes it difficult, so here is the ultimate marijuana guide for beginners.

Still, there are a few basic things you should know about marijuana before taking the plunge, especially if you’re exploring this topic on your own and want to be as safe as possible. Luckily, there has never been a better time to learn more about the effects of the plant.

What it does

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Marijuana is like a Swiss army knife. There’s a lot behind it. But all you really need to know is that it is used primarily for two reasons: recreational and medicinal.

The plant is used to stimulate creativity, relieve social anxiety, relax, exercise and improve concentration. These everyday activities get a boost of intensity and concentration that can make your day better and your time much more profitable. Marijuana can also be used to replace habits that harm your body, such as alcohol, nicotine, opiates and sleeping pills.

Medical results

Medical marijuana is a hot topic supported by nations and scientists around the world. Research has shown that the plant can be used to manage stress and relieve pain, improve appetite, manage ADHD and anxiety, and the list goes on.

It is important to note that although many patients and doctors swear by the effectiveness of marijuana, there is not enough research on the subject to prove that these results are definitive. The good news is that marijuana’s negative side effects, such as dry mouth, dizziness, and brain fog, are only temporary.

Types of Marijuana

There are four types of cannabis strains: sativa, indica, hybrid and CBD. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Sativa stimulates your mind and senses and works best when you’re going for a run, having an exciting conversation or looking for an energy boost. Indicas Stand on the other end of the spectrum and create a relaxing effect that calms your mind and body while eliminating any anxiety. Hybrid Strains are a mix of sativa and indica and deliver mixed results. Last, CBD is the most medicinal of all, producing virtually no “high” feeling and providing long-lasting muscle and pain relief.

How to consume

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This is an evolving conversation. While there is the traditional way of smoking marijuana through pipes, joints, and bongs, there are also plenty of other options, such as vape pens, edibles, concentrates, and topicals. Let’s go through each one:

Evaporator

Discreet and comfortable, these are filled with oil cartridges that vaporize marijuana rather than burning it like joints and pipes. With a vape pen, you don’t have to learn how to roll a joint or how to pack a bowl. They produce an immediate effect that lasts in the body for a few hours.

Edibles

Brownies, gummy bears and all sorts of foods fall into this category. This method is discreet and takes time to work because the THC is absorbed through the stomach lining and takes longer to reach your bloodstream. If you are a beginner, you should start with a low dose as they have a strong effect.

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All balms, lotions, creams and patches fall into this category and provide results that do not get you high. These are great for medical situations and help with pain relief, recovery from surgery, and the like.

Concentrates

These are potent cannabis extracts, the strongest of the group, and typically require a dab rig to consume. They come in the form of wax, resin and hashish and produce an effect that lasts up to six hours.