Below are some tips for new smokers that will bring you up to speed on using cannabis. We understand that it can all be a bit confusing, so we have put together a list of the 10 best tips for any new smoker. We have broken them down in to a few categories to make things easier (you’re welcome).

Don’t get screwed over:

1. Don’t buy from the first person you meet

Buying weed can be a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time. Generally, you don’t want to just go buy it off of the first person who offers it to you. Try and avoid eager dealers – you want to go for the dealers who are more relaxed and, of course, responsible about the whole process. Ask around, but only talk to people you trust, especially if your state hasn’t legalized yet.

2. Don’t Buy Ground Weed, or “Shake”

If you are offered pre-ground weed, politely decline as there is a chance you are getting ripped off. While it does look like a lot, there are usually a lot of stems and it is less compact / lighter and nowhere near as much as full buds would be. Your best bet is to get buds that are intact and grind it as you use it.

3. Be Discreet

When contacting your dealer, try not be obvious with what you are getting. Use euphemisms and slang. Instead of asking for “2 grams of weed”, ask if you can “get 2 for 20” (2 being the grams, 20 being $20). Your dealers will get pretty annoyed and may not actually sell to you if you are making it obvious.

4. Learn the local prices

Make sure you “shop around” and get a feel for all of the local prices so you can be sure that you aren’t getting ripped off. However, keep in mind that some strains cost more then others so also make sure to look into the different strains available. Different strains are used for different purposes, you can read more about the difference between indica and sativa strains here.

Preparation:

5. Grinding

Make sure to grind your weed up properly or you are going to be wasting a lot of green (both weed and money). There are a few methods for grinding weed – you can either use a grinder or your fingers (known as finger busting) or check out these easy ways to grind up weed covered in this article.

6. Rolling

This is one of the most useful tips for new smokers. Joints are the classic method of smoking weed, and even smokers with fancy vaporizers and bongs enjoy a joint now and again. It might take a couple of tries to perfect.

Keep in mind that the type of rolling papers you use can make a big difference in the whole process. Experiment with different sized papers and different brands. Some brands’ glue is annoying to work with, so find the brand that works best for you. In my experience, Skunk papers are great. They burn slow, and offer amazing flavors like Hawaiian.

I recommend asking a friend to help you out and show you how to roll properly, or you can keep reading and check out this photo guide for some tips. Here’s a quick guide on how to roll a “pinner” (a thin joint with just enough weed for one sitting):

i) Set your rolling paper on a flat surface, with the glue (shiny strip on the edge) facing up and furthest from you. Make a filter (cut a small rectangle from a business card and roll it / fold it so that air can still get through).

ii) Place a bit of weed into the crease of the paper, leaving room at both ends. Place the filter at one end and spread the weed throughout evenly (a pinch or two of ground up weed should be enough, depending on your tolerance. If you’re not sure, start with a smaller amount and work your way up).

iii) Hold the rolling paper with both hands between your thumb and index finger.

Start gently pinching / rolling the bud and work it towards the edge without the glue strip. Tuck in the edge with both thumbs and roll it up towards the glue strip tightly, but not so tight that air can’t get through.

iv) Wet the glue strip with your tongue and wrap it around to secure your joint.

7. Bongs

If you want to use a bong, you can buy one or make your own. However, be careful with what you use to make it as it can be hazardous to your health if you use the wrong materials to smoke out of, such as plastic, fibreglass, and coated aluminum (pop cans).

To use a bong, put a cup or two of water into the bong, depending on the size (too much water will splash up towards your mouth). Put your bud in the bowl piece (start with a small amount), and before you light, place your mouth on the rim at the top (don’t wrap your lips around it, though), and gently inhale while you light the bud. When you’re done taking your hit, pull the bowl piece out, (being careful not to burn yourself as it can be hot) and clear the bong by inhaling all of the smoke left inside.

8. Don’t Drop Your Bud

Be careful when handling your weed, especially if it’s ground up. However, check out tips #5 and 6 from this article to save yourself some grief if you do drop it!

About Weed Culture:

9. Bring Water

Seriously. Dry mouth and getting too high is really unpleasant and easily remedied by drinking plenty of water!

10. Don’t Panic or Stress

The first time you smoke you are definitely going to feel a bit different. Don’t stress though – nothing bad is going to happen to you. Just relax and enjoy it.

You can avoid feeling anxious when you smoke by making sure you don’t have anything important or overwhelming to do for the next few hours, like working, going anywhere crowded, driving, or making any important phone calls, for the first few times you light up at least.

If you have any of your own tips for new smokers, please feel free to share them in the comment section below.