California legalized cannabis for medical use in 1996, making it the first state to allow cannabis for treatment purposes. Subsequently, in 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana, and legal sales statewide began on January 1, 2018, at 6 AM PST. Today, thousands of Californians are enjoying personal use of cannabis products for recreational and medicinal purposes.
But what if you are new to cannabis and would like to understand the terminology, uses, forms, where to buy it, and more? Welcome to Kush Alley’s Getting Started: Cannabis for Beginners Guide. We are passionate about helping new and experienced users alike pick the perfect cannabis product for their needs. So, settle in and read on to have your cannabis questions answered.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended to be medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, especially if you are taking other medications or have existing health conditions.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is a plant that contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system and change how the body and mind feel. When people use cannabis, they often experience feelings of relaxation, reduced perceived pain, altered perception, and sometimes euphoria.
The primary components of cannabis include THC (the psychoactive compound), CBD (the therapeutic, non-psychoactive compound), terpenes, and various other cannabinoids. All cannabis strains — Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid — contain these compounds, albeit in differing proportions. All the compounds work together to produce a desired effect or benefit for the user.
Understanding Cannabis Strains
We begin our Cannabis for Beginners with a brief overview of strains. Cannabis comes in two natural strains, Indica and Sativa, and Hybrid strains, in which cultivators mix the characteristics of Indica and Sativa to produce specific effects and benefits.
The Indica strains are known for relaxing, sedative effects, sometimes jokingly referred to as the “in da couch” cannabis. Indica consumption often leads to a “body high,” making it perfect for relaxation, pain relief, and sleep.
The Sativa strains provide an uplifting cerebral experience known as “altering your headspace.” People who use Sativa often experience increased energy, creativity, focus, and sociability.
Terpenes and Cannabinoids
When it comes to cannabis, THC dominates the scene. Experienced and new consumers alike typically come to the Kush Alley Dispensary searching for the highest THC they can get in their price range. And, make no mistake about it, THC packs the punch.
However, there’s more to the perfect cannabis for your needs than a maxed-out THC percentage. We’re talking about terpenes and cannabinoids. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give each strain its unique smell and flavor. They also play a role in how cannabis affects you after consumption. Cannabinoids are the active compounds in cannabis that interact with and modulate your body’s endocannabinoid system. The best known are THC, which causes the high, and CBD, which provides therapeutic benefits without a high.
We could spend hours describing the ways all the cannabis compounds interact, but for our Cannabis for Beginners guide, we provide a summary table below. If you want more nitty-gritty details, you’ll find them in our How to Choose the Right Cannabis guide.
The Impact of Terpenes and Cannabinoids on Cannabis Consumption
| Impact | Details |
|---|---|
| Psychoactive Effects | Cannabinoids (THC): THC is the primary compound responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis. Terpenes can influence the type of high (e.g., relaxing, uplifting) by modulating THC's effects. |
| Enhancing the Entourage Effect | Combined: Terpenes and cannabinoids work together synergistically, enhancing each other’s therapeutic effects. This combination is known as the entourage effect. |
| Modulating the High | Terpenes: Different terpenes can alter the experience by making it more relaxing (like myrcene) or energizing (like limonene). Cannabinoids (CBD): CBD can modulate the high by reducing anxiety and the intensity of THC's effects. |
| Therapeutic Benefits | Combined: Terpenes and cannabinoids offer medicinal properties, such as reducing anxiety, inflammation, and pain. Cannabinoids like CBD and CBG are especially noted for their therapeutic effects. |
| Pain Relief | Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG): These cannabinoids are effective in reducing pain and inflammation. Terpenes: Caryophyllene and myrcene also contribute to pain relief. |
| Anxiety and Stress Reduction | Cannabinoids (CBD) are known for their calming effects. Terpenes (Linalool, Myrcene) enhance relaxation and help reduce anxiety. |
| Anti-inflammatory Properties | Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBC): Known for strong anti-inflammatory effects. Terpenes: Caryophyllene also contributes to reducing inflammation. |
| Neuroprotective Benefits | Cannabinoids (CBD, THC): Show neuroprotective properties that could benefit conditions like epilepsy. Terpenes: While less direct, terpenes can support these effects. |
| Appetite Stimulation | Cannabinoids (THC): Stimulates appetite, often called "the munchies." Terpenes like limonene may subtly enhance this effect. |
| Sleep Aid | Cannabinoids (CBN, CBD): Known for promoting sleep and helping with insomnia. Terpenes (Myrcene, Linalool): Contribute to sedative effects, making them effective for sleep. |
| Flavor and Aroma | Terpenes: Responsible for the distinctive flavors and aromas of cannabis strains. These can also influence the perceived effects. Cannabinoids themselves do not contribute to flavor or aroma. |
| Modulation of the Immune System | Cannabinoids (CBD, THC): Can interact with the endocannabinoid system to modulate immune responses, potentially helping with autoimmune conditions. |
Achieving a Specific Effect or Benefit with Cannabis
Using cannabis is all about achieving some mental or bodily effect, sensation, or medicinal benefit. To achieve specific outcomes, you should consider the whole product profile, including THC, terpenes, CBD, and other cannabinoids.
It’s important to pause here momentarily and say don’t be overwhelmed by the information we present. An integral part of the Kush Alley mission — and the guiding purpose of every budtender you will meet — is to help our customers pick the perfect cannabis product every time they shop at our Dispensary.
Education and providing information like this guide are essential to that commitment. Our highly trained budtenders will answer all your questions when you visit, so take a breath and absorb some Cannabis for Beginners’ information goodness.
Here are two examples that demonstrate the roles of THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids in producing a desired outcome.
Desired Outcome: Achieving a Mellow Feeling
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Strain Type | Indica |
| Potency | Moderate to high THC content, balanced CBD content |
| Terpene Profile | Myrcene, Linalool, Caryophyllene |
Desired Outcome: Boosting Energy
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Strain Type | Sativa or Sativa-Dominant Hybrid |
| Potency | Moderate to high THC content, low CBD levels |
| Terpene Profile | Limonene, Pinene, Terpinolene |
Methods of Consumption
When it comes to consuming cannabis, there’s a form and method for practically every taste and preference. Primary forms available at Kush Alley include:
- Flower – smoke in a joint, pipe, or bong
- Pre-rolled joint – we take the rolling chore out of the equation
- Infused Pre-roll – A pre-roll joint with THC distillate added for an extra kick
- Vape – vaporizes THC concentrate for those who don’t want to smoke
- Edibles – gummies, pastries, beverages, the variations are endless
- Tinctures – applied topically or placed under the tongue
- Oils – also applied topically
- Distillates / Concentrates – added to edibles, beverages, joints, or vapes
Please refer to How to Choose the Right Cannabis for more information.
Starting Low and Going Slow
We strongly encourage new users to start with lower potency levels and go slow until you see how cannabis and your body interact. Every licensed dispensary in California must meet stringent labeling requirements that cover potency, detailed safety warnings, testing results, and specific symbols. The purpose behind these stringent labeling requirements is to make it easy to know you are buying safe products and there are no surprises when you consume it.
A cannabis for beginners explanation of measures of potency:
Percentage by Weight:
For dried cannabis flower, potency is typically displayed as a percentage of THC and CBD by weight. For example, a product might be labeled as containing 20% THC and 1% CBD. These percentages mean that in every gram of cannabis, 200 mg is THC, and 10 mg is CBD.
Milligrams (mg):
For edibles, tinctures, and other processed cannabis products, potency is often expressed in milligrams of THC or CBD per serving or per package. For example, a package of 10 cannabis gummies might be labeled as containing 100 mg of THC, with each piece containing 10 mg of THC.
Total THC/CBD:
Some products might also list the total THC or CBD content for the entire package, especially in edibles or concentrates. This information helps users understand the overall potency they consume if they use the whole product at once.
Like every aspect of cannabis selection, your Kush Alley budtender will answer any questions about product potency and make recommendations based on your experience and needs.
Understanding Speed of Onset and Duration of Effects
There are two things new users must take into account when using cannabis for the first time: how fast they will feel the effects of the cannabis (onset) and how long the effects will last (duration). In general, smoking and vaping have the fastest onset of 5 to 15 minutes because the THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs.
Edibles and topicals take much longer, ranging from 30 to 90 minutes, because the THC must be digested or absorbed into the body through the skin before it can enter the bloodstream.
The speed of onset is critical to understand, especially when it comes to edibles. Inexperienced cannabis users can overconsume edibles because they are not feeling any effects. So, if edibles are your go-to means of consumption, be prepared to wait for the effects.
Duration also varies by the form of the cannabis. The effects from topicals and smoking last 2 to 4 hours, vapes 1 to 3 hours, and edibles 4 to 6 hours. Plan your activities according to the duration you’ll experience and remain in a safe environment until the effects wear off. Just like alcohol, where you don’t drink and drive, the same rule applies to cannabis: don’t smoke, vape, or eat cannabis and drive.
How to Recognize and Address Overconsumption
You can over-consume cannabis and experience a variety of symptoms, including:
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Paranoia
- Dizziness and Nausea
- Confusion and Disorientation
- Increased Heart Rate
- Fatigue and Drowsiness
Fortunately, the actions to address over-consumption are simple and include:
- Stay Calm
- Find a Safe, Comfortable Environment
- Hydrate
- Distract Yourself
- Take a Nap
Note: If your symptoms are severe or persistent, or if you feel unsafe, it’s okay to seek medical attention. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle such situations, and medical professionals will ensure you’re safe and comfortable.
Tips for a Positive First Experience
You want your first cannabis experience to be positive, and so do we. So, we wrap up our Cannabis for Beginners guide with a few essential tips for ensuring a positive first experience:
- Consult with a medical professional if you have any specific health concerns. Kush Alley can guide your choice of cannabis based on your desired outcomes and benefits, but we cannot provide any medical advice.
- Choose your cannabis carefully, preferably following the guidance of an expert like a Kush Alley budtender. Different strains and products can have vastly different effects, so professional advice is a must. Listening to “some guy you met” may not be the best idea or end up in the best experience.
- Enjoy your cannabis in a safe, comfortable, familiar space where you can stay for the duration of the effects.
- Stay hydrated and have some snacks on hand. Yes, munchies are a real thing, so have something that fits your diet available.
- Allow enough time to enjoy the experience by ensuring you have no important tasks that require immediate attention.
- Be with trusted friends. We don’t recommend flying solo or consuming with strangers for your first cannabis experience.
Let Kush Alley Help You Begin Your Cannabis Journey the Right Way
If you have been wondering how to try cannabis but felt uncertain about how, we invite you to visit us at our discrete and convenient Dispensary located near the Van Nuys Airport at 16733 Schoenborn St., North Hills, CA 91343. It’s our goal and passion to help everyone get the maximum enjoyment and benefit from cannabis, and that starts with your first use.
