The legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Nevada has led to a rise in inaugural medical marijuana consumers. After a patient arrives home with their marijuana products, the first time cannabis experience may seem like a daunting one.
You’ve got your marijuana, now what? Here’s your guide to first-time cannabis consumption or purchases, what to buy and where to buy it.
Going to a Dispensary for the First Time
Going to a dispensary for the first time can be an unnerving experience for a first-time marijuana patient. The different types of strain and the variety of products can overwhelm any individual without adequate marijuana education. However, medicating with marijuana for the first time can be a painless process once you become equipped with the right products and knowledge.
Questions to ask:
- What do you recommend for a first-time cannabis user?
- Would you recommend this to someone who has never tried alternative medicines before?
- What would help best for this _______ condition?
- Do you have a favorite strain?
- What is the most popular product you sell here?
- How will this product affect me?
Find your Remedy at many different locations in Las Vegas. Patient consultants will happily assist you in discovering the cannabis specific to you and your tolerance and knowledge. Don’t go in with an attitude that you’ll find the right product right away. Sometimes you have to go through a few trials before you are triumphant.
First-time Cannabis Patients: I’ve Got My Marijuana, Now What?
Learn some of the basics before or after you head to your local medical or recreational dispensary.
Understanding cannabinoids and their effects
Ingesting cannabis results in a transmission of cannabinoids to the body and brain. Cannabinoids bind to either the CB1 or CB2 receptors depending on the type of cannabinoid. The cannabis plant contains close to 100 cannabinoids, but THC and CBD are the two most prominent.
THC and CBD work simultaneously to provide a relieving effect within the body’s endocannabinoid system. It’s important to know the difference between THC and CBD and their different effects on the body:
- CBD has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects but does NOT induce psychoactive effects in the consumer
- THC is responsible for psychoactive effects like euphoria, calmness, and alertness
The psychoactivity-inducing THC has been found to target cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute conducted a study and found cannabis can mitigate the growth of cancer cells. In contrast, CBD acts as a counterbalance to THC with its pain relieving properties and anti-psychoactive effects.
The THC to CBD ratio for a first-time medical marijuana patient
THC and CBD work in unison to create a balance in the body. The ratio between THC and CBD change based on the symptoms a patient is experiencing. First-time medical marijuana patients often begin with CBD and slowly adapt to THC.
A one-to-one ratio of THC and CBD is a great recommended dose for first-time cannabis patients. This ratio is considered a great choice because patients are Remedied both mentally and physically with minimal psychoactive effects. An equal ratio of THC and CBD can effectively treat anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and stress.
Finding the right dose is considered an individual, trial-and-error task. Consumers build their tolerance over time, making dosing an evolving concept. Dosing depends on an individual’s body type, tolerance, and the type of cannabis product, making it difficult to find the correct dosage.
Experts recommend first-time patients work with a medical marijuana professional to find the right dose.
Different modes of cannabis consumption
First-time cannabis patients have a wide array of choices when finding their ideal Remedy. Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways from smoking and vaporizing to ingesting. In its many forms, cannabis can heal a multitude of ailments.
Smoking is the most known but considered “least” healthy way to consume cannabis. The heat and byproducts produced can pose a potential health risk to the lungs and respiratory system. The hot smoke dries and irritates the mucous membranes along the throat and lungs.
Many opt for vaporizing as a safer alternative to smoking. The moist vapor doesn’t reach the same high levels of heat as smoke, thus not damaging the mucous membranes. Vapor is purer because it doesn’t burn the cannabis or create byproducts.
Consumers can easily and comfortably ingest cannabis in the form of a beverage or edible. First-time cannabis patients should be careful when consuming marijuana edibles because most people don’t feel their effects until two hours after consumption. As long as they aren’t over consumed, edibles provide patients with an easy way to Remedy themselves.
Topicals are another great place to start when healing with cannabis. Patients feeling pain over a localized area can rub on a marijuana topical and enjoy relief. The effects of topical are only felt over the localized area, and the exclusively non-psychoactive healing benefits are long-lasting.
Our favorite strains and product to try first
The options, as mentioned, may overwhelm you at first, but remember you can always ask a budtender or do your research ahead of time. We’ve compiled of list of marijuana products to get your feet wet.
Flower
The most common marijuana product, flower, has many choices. For the correct introductory strain, ask about the following:
- ACDC – Psychoactive effects are minimal.
- Harlequin – Again, the high is low but the relief isn’t.
- Pennywise – Don’t let the name scare you; this strain is a relaxing indica.
Topicals
If you’re really just testing the waters, CBD creams and lotions provide relief without the high. Great for workouts or arthritis, try:
- Lotion – The pain lotion has extra strength components.
- Balm – Pain relief creams with 2:1 ratio also anti-inflammatory benefits.
Read about the tinctures and capsules as well for discreet consumption options.
A Remedy Lifestyle
Cannabis is a revolutionary Remedy for a number of ailments in all of its forms. Any and all marijuana patients should consult a medical marijuana professional to find their best Remedy.
Stay educated on how cannabis is changing the culture and how you can incorporate Battle Born remedies into your well-being.