Cannabis 101
Sativa is more likely to provide more uplifting and cerebral effects that pair well with creative, social, and physical activities.
Indica has a calming and relaxing effect. Stronger varieties numb your body and put you to sleep. It’s great for stress relief and perfect for a long Saturday afternoon when all you want is Netflix and your couch.
Hybrid strains bring together the best of both worlds! A great Hybrid will be uplifting, mellow, creative, and calm. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference. Hybrids can be Sativa or Indica dominant and have the effects to match.
Marijuana Consumption Tips
Pot can be consumed and enjoyed in many different ways. Smoking is the stereotypical image that most people associate with weed, but there are so many different ways to partake. It’s worth exploring them all. No matter which way you decide to start experimenting with cannabis, make sure to take things slow. You’ll want to see how it’s affecting you before you dive in head first. People trying cannabis for the first time may not feel high. This is totally normal. Just try again another day and see where it goes from there. Here are some of the routes you can take to enjoy excellent bud.
Smoking
Yep. Everyone’s seen at least a movie trailer with the plumes of smoke pouring off of red-eyed dudes in a van, but what you may not know that even within smoking, there’s a lot to try and experiment with. You can explore all of the different papers, blunts, bowls, bongs, and bubblers available on the market. Or if you want a no muss, no fuss approach, you can check out pre-rolls. These are joints that come ready to smoke with no assembly required. Try out Jack Herer from Phat Panda, an energizing Sativa dominant hybrid strain. Or for relaxation, check out Tangie from DNA Genetics.
Vaping
If you’re looking for a way to try mary jane that’s easy to set up, and discreet, vaping might just be the choice for you. Purchase a vaporizer cartridge loaded with THC oil and a battery attachment, and you’re good to go. Vape strains come and go in small batches. Check with one of our budtenders or peruse our menu to find a strain that’s right for you.
Dabbing
A dab is a dose of concentrate that is heated on a hot surface and then inhaled through a glass rig or electronic dab pen. Dabs are hard-hitting, so start with one and sit with it for awhile. Just like with flower, we recommend starting with a lower percentage concentrate and slowly working your way up.
Edibles
Edibles are various types of food and drink that have been infused with marijuana. They are slow acting products, which means that it can take up to two hours to feel their effects. They can be liquids (hey, Legal Sodas!), chocolate (check out Verdelux’s Bon Bombs), or sprays (Drift Sublingual Spray is a great one to try). Start slowly with a single 5mg serving of an edible to assess its effect. You can always eat more later if you don’t feel the effects. However, consider things like when you’ve last eaten, etc. before upping your dosage too much.
Topicals
Topicals are cannabis-infused balms, salves, and oils that users apply directly to their skin. They’re muscle relaxants and can be used as an antiseptic ointment. Topicals are non-psychoactive, so they’re great for people who want help in dealing with aches and pains without the high of other delivery methods.
When it comes to trying marijuana, there’s a method for everyone. Just remember, if you’re new to cannabis take it slow, and when in doubt, ask an expert. Our friendly budtenders are always eager to answer any of your pressing questions.
Some Cannabis How-Tos
Prepare a Bowl
Grind the Weed
Place a small amount of marijuana in the grinder and twist it a few times. Don’t grind it too fine, or it will fall through the hole in your bowl.
Anatomy of a Bowl
A traditional pipe has three holes. These include the mouthpiece, the bowl, and a small hole on the side of the bowl called the carb. Hold the pipe so you can easily place a finger or thumb over the carb during inhalation.
Pack Your Bowl
Place a small nug slightly larger than the hole in the bowl. Pack your herb very lightly at the bottom and slightly denser at the top for an even smoke.
Smoke Your Bowl
Hold the pipe so you can easily place a finger or thumb over the carb. Briefly, hold the lighter flame to a small section of the packed bowl to light it while slowly inhaling. Once the pipe is full of smoke, you should remove your finger from the carb and inhale to clear the smoke fully.
You may cough in response. This is completely normal. Keep a glass of water nearby, take some deep breaths, and wait until you stop coughing before you take another “hit” of marijuana.
Evenly Smoke a Pre-Roll
- Gently roll the joint between your fingers to loosen the tightly packed flower in the pre-roll.
- Take a lighter and evenly apply the flame to the tip while slowly rotating the pre-roll with your fingers. Your goal is to create an even red cherry at the end of the pre-roll.
- Start with a few puffs and see how you feel. If you don’t finish, you can tamp out the cherry and store it in your pre-roll tube for future use.
- Don’t light and inhale your pre-roll at the same time. It reduces the chance of an even burn.
- When you’re done, make sure to put out the end of the pre-roll before throwing it away.
Enjoy an Edible
Many edibles have multiple servings and direct you to consume only a portion. They can take up to two hours to feel and can deliver a long lasting high. Start slowly with 5mg to see how it affects you before you eat more. Work your way up slowly. Edibles can really sneak up on you.