Start small, with a legal, lab-tested product, in a comfortable place, with someone you trust. Then wait and see how you feel.
Felt nothing? That's fine. Don't take more today. Try a little more next time.
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Treat it like your first beer
Think about how most people start with alcohol. Not five shots of tequila. One light beer, sipped over an hour or two. Treat cannabis the same way.
One light beer, sipped slowly
- Not five tequila shots
- See how you feel
- Next time, maybe two
One small puff or a 2.5 mg edible
- Not a strong vape or a 10 mg gummy
- Wait. Edibles can take 2 hours.
- Next time, a little more
Your first few tries
- First try: start tiny.One small puff of flower, or an edible with 2.5 mg of THC or less.1 Then wait. Smoking: up to 30 minutes. Edibles: at least 2 hours.
- Felt nothing? Stop for today.That's normal and it's not a problem. Don't double up. This is how many bad first experiences start.
- Next time: a little more.Maybe one more puff, or a little more of the edible. Same calm setting. Same waiting.
- Keep stepping up slowly.It can take 3, 4, or 5 tries to find your dose. Stop when you're comfortable and happy.
Talk to a doctor first if you take prescription medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, or have a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia.5
Why we're so careful
Cannabis can be a good experience. But one bad first time can turn people off for good. Starting slow protects that. And more cannabis isn't always better. The best dose is the smallest one that feels good.
What is cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant. Weed and marijuana are other names for it. Its flowers, called buds, contain compounds like THC and CBD that affect how you feel.
Ways to take cannabis
| Method | Kicks in | Lasts | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking (joint, pipe) | Seconds to minutes | A few hours | Easy to control. Harsh on lungs. |
| Vaping (cart, dry herb) | Seconds to minutes | A few hours | Oil is very strong. One small puff. Buy licensed only. Vapes 101 |
| Edibles (gummies, chocolate) | 30 min to 2 hr | 6 to 12 hr | Easy to overdo. Can last up to 24 hours. Timing guide |
| Drinks | 30 min to 2 hr | Several hours | Sip slowly. Count the mg. |
| Tinctures (drops) | Varies | Several hours | Easy to measure small doses. |
| Topicals (lotions) | Varies | Varies | Used on skin. Generally no high. |
How to smoke weed (and how to inhale)
- Take a small, gentle puff. Not a big lungful.
- Breathe it in, then breathe out normally. There's no need to hold it in.
- Wait 15 to 30 minutes before deciding on another. Full effects can take up to 30 minutes.
- Coughing is normal. Have water nearby.
THC vs. CBD
THC
Short for tetrahydrocannabinol. The main compound that gets you high.6 Labels list it in mg (edibles) or % (flower and vapes).
CBD
Doesn't cause a high. Health Canada suggests new users choose products with a low amount of THC and an equal or higher amount of CBD.
Sativa effects vs. indica effects: the difference
Sativa: the reputation
Uplifting, energizing, a "head high." Often called an upper. Marketed for daytime.
Indica: the reputation
Relaxing, a "body high," sometimes "couch lock," the heavy feeling of not wanting to get up. Often called a downer. Marketed for night.
The truth: these labels often don't match what's actually in the plant. A 2022 study of nearly 90,000 lab samples from six US states found that products labeled indica, sativa, or hybrid often had the same chemistry.3 Two "sativas" can feel totally different.
Better predictors: how much THC and CBD a product has, and its terpenes. The labels are still useful shorthand when talking to a budtender. Just don't count on them.
What are terps in weed?
Terps, short for terpenes, are the aroma compounds that make each strain smell different. The same ones show up in fruits, herbs, and flowers.
| Terpene | Smells like | Also found in |
|---|---|---|
| Myrcene | Earthy, musky | Mango, hops |
| Limonene | Citrus | Lemon peel |
| Pinene | Pine | Rosemary, pine needles |
| Linalool | Floral | Lavender |
| Caryophyllene | Peppery, spicy | Black pepper, cloves |
Your first dispensary visit
- Bring your ID. You must be 21+ for adult use.
- Know how you want to feel. Relaxed? Social? Sleepy? Say that to the budtender.
- Say you're new. Good budtenders love helping beginners.
- Ask for low dose. Low THC, or balanced THC and CBD.
- Bring cash or debit. Many shops are cash or debit only.
Adam's do's and don'ts
Do
- Start low and go slow. For edibles, Health Canada suggests new users look for 2.5 mg of THC or less.
- Pick a calm setting
- Have water and snacks ready
- Be nice to your budtender
Don't
- Try to keep up with friends
- Try dabs, which are very strong concentrates, on your first try
- Mix with alcohol
- Drive. Ever.
Pick your next question
Common questions
Is sativa an upper or downer?
Sativa is often called an upper and indica a downer. In practice the labels aren't reliable. THC level, CBD, terpenes, and dose matter more.
Does sativa or indica make you sleepy?
Indica has the sleepy reputation, but any cannabis can make you tired, especially at higher doses or with edibles.
Is weed a psychedelic or hallucinogen?
Cannabis isn't usually grouped with classic psychedelics like LSD or mushrooms. At high doses it can change how you perceive time, sound, and color, and rarely cause hallucinations.
Do dispensaries take credit cards?
Many shops are cash or debit only. Bring both to be safe. Many shops have an ATM.
I didn't feel anything. Should I take more?
Not the same day. Feeling nothing is normal. Next time, try a little more. It can take a few tries to find your dose.
How much weed should I smoke my first time?
One small puff. Full effects can take up to 30 minutes, so wait that long before deciding on another. Think of it like sipping one light beer, not taking shots.
What should I try for my first time?
A low-dose, lab-tested product from a licensed shop. Health Canada suggests new users look for edibles with 2.5 mg of THC or less, or take 1 or 2 puffs of flower with 10% THC or less, then wait.
Is indica or sativa better for beginners?
The labels aren't reliable predictors of how you'll feel. Look at THC and CBD amounts instead, and start with a low dose.
What's the difference between THC and CBD?
THC causes the high. CBD doesn't. Many products combine both.
Is it normal to feel nothing the first time?
Yes. Some people feel little on their first try. Don't double up, especially with edibles.
We cite government health agencies and peer-reviewed research. Numbers in the text link to the source.
- Government Health Canada: Cannabis, lower your risks
- Government Health Canada: Health effects of cannabis
- Peer-reviewed Smith CJ, et al. The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE, 2022
- Peer-reviewed Wang M, et al. Decarboxylation study of acidic cannabinoids. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2016
- Government National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH): Cannabis (Marijuana)
- Government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Cannabis FAQs
