October is an important time in cannabis culture, as it is the time of harvest. It is also back-to-school season for most colleges and universities in Oregon, which means it’s also a popular time for people to dip their toes into the world of cannabis. With so many people considering trying cannabis for the first time, it’s the perfect time to offer some guiding information, especially for younger adults entering the fray.

The Basics of Cannabis

Depending on your experience and knowledge of cannabis, you may already understand the types of cannabis: indica, sativa, and hybrid. Indica is commonly known as the “in-da-couch” type of cannabis that will knock you out. Sativa is often considered the strain that people are productive on after enjoying, and hybrids straddle the two. While this is a very widely shared piece of knowledge, it is definitely an oversimplification of cannabis. While the difference between indica, sativa, and hybrid is important to know, the terpenes matter a bit more, especially if you are new to cannabis.

Terpenes are the chemical compounds that create the flavors and aromas of cannabis and work with THC to produce different effects. Terpenes are what I recommend everyone just getting into cannabis learn more about. There are six terpenes that are commonly found in cannabis: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Pinene, Linalool, and Humulene. Each terpene is going to create different effects. Myrcene is popular for people seeking a relaxation or sleep-aid cannabis strain. Many users report Caryophyllene is good for stress and pain relief, while Limonene relieves stress and lifts moods. Pinene helps with focus; Linalool lowers anxiety and calms; and Humulene helps manage hunger and the munchies.

Knowing the effects of different terpenes will allow you to shop for cannabis with a better understanding of how it will impact you. So, when you make your next trip to the dispensary, consider swapping the question of “what’s the strongest THC?” to “what do you have with X terpene?”

Consuming Safely

There are numerous ways to consume cannabis – it doesn’t just have to be smoked anymore. There seems to be a new mode or method of consumption hitting the market, and while it makes space for people to find what works for them, there is not as much discussion of what the different modes of consumption really mean and do. There are four ways to consume cannabis: inhalation (aka smoking), ingestible (aka edibles), sublingual (aka tinctures), and topicals. The most important things to consider when it comes to choosing a consumption method:

Timing – this is in reference to how long it takes to feel the effects of the cannabis. Of all the modes of consumption, inhalation has the shortest time before effects are felt.
Duration – this speaks to how long the effects of the cannabis will last. The length of a high is going to be impacted by a lot of different variables, from the amount consumed, the strength of the cannabis in it, how much you have eaten that day, and how much water you’ve had.
Effects – this is about the feelings and sensations that come from the cannabis. Depending on consumption, the effects may just be physical, they may be more mental, or they may be a combination of things.

Knowing your body and mind is important when it comes to cannabis consumption. While the timing, duration, and effects do differ based on the cannabis consumed, the real factor of impact is yourself. Everyone’s body is different, and how your body responds to cannabis can vary based on so many things.

One of the biggest rules of safe consumption is: Start Slow! If you don’t have an understanding of timing when it comes to cannabis, then you can easily fall into the misstep of consuming more because you aren’t “feeling anything”. This is what happens to people during their first attempt with edibles, because the onset time is much longer, and so people get impatient and decide to take some more. When the effects are finally starting to hit, it is much harder than intended. So save yourself the trouble and start slow.

Creating a Safe Environment

As you get into cannabis, you have to prepare your space just as much as the materials that will be used. While it might seem like cannabis is just a matter of lighting up, your environment plays a major role in your overall experience. This isn’t just a matter of your physical space, but also your mental space.

If you are not in a good place mentally when consuming cannabis, those thoughts can become amplified. Due to this, I recommend checking in with your emotions and mood before consuming cannabis. If you feel like you are in a negative headspace, maybe take a walk or touch some grass to ground yourself before adding cannabis.

When it comes to preparing your space, you want to make sure you have everything you might want or need in advance. My first time smoking put me in the couch, and I was not getting up for anything. Luckily, I had someone with me who was more experienced with cannabis and was able to get me anything I needed. Some things you might want to have ready are water, a snack, a blanket or sweatshirt, and the remote control within reach.

Another consideration for your first few cannabis experiences is the who of it all, meaning who you are consuming with. I recommend never smoking alone when you are first getting started with cannabis. Choosing the right canna-buddy is pretty straightforward. You want someone who, ideally, has experience with cannabis, makes you feel safe and comfortable, and is a human adult (preferably with a driver’s license – just in case of an emergency). Having a sober buddy with you for your first few experiences helps to ensure that you are taken care of and safe.
Another recommendation for a safer cannabis experience is not to mix it with other substances or alcohol. Until you know your body and yourself under the influence of cannabis, it is not the best move to mix it with anything else. I do want to express, though, that even when you are experienced with cannabis, mixing is not recommended.

While culturally cannabis is portrayed as a low-stakes substance, it is still a substance that has the ability to alter your mind and your body. For this reason, taking safety precautions and being knowledgeable and informed is extremely important and just as important with cannabis as it is with something like alcohol.