Using Marijuana For the First Time? Remember These 5 Tips
Anything new can be intimidating, especially if it’s a plant you want to consume, that not too long ago, was nothing but an illegal drug. But today, marijuana is viewed as much more than something to get high on. Unlike other schedule 1 drugs that are still strictly prohibited for use, marijuana has made a grand entrance into the medical scene. With minimal research and a ton of anecdotal evidence backing up medicinal claims about the herb, you can apply for an NJ medical marijuana card. With this marijuana card, you will be licensed to procure, consume, travel locally with, as well as, growing your own weed.
However, your first step into a dispensary or retail shop should not be on slippery grounds. While it’s safe to look around and ask your budtender about the best product suited for your needs, a little research before the journey can do you some good.
So if you’re on your first road to high town, here are 5 tips to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable first experience.
Buy From a Dispensary Using Your NJ MMJ Card
If you’re thinking about using a CBD product, you can easily find them at a retail store without requiring you to show your MJ MMJ card. A driver’s license or any other state ID that proves you’re of age should be enough. However, if you’re looking for high-quality, potent marijuana products, your local dispensary should be your one-stop-shop.
The dispensary will open gates to a wide variety of products that may or may not be suited for you. But they will be safer than anything bought from any shady dealer.
It’s crucial to remember that you can only find high THC doses at dispensaries with a medical marijuana card to prove that you need the herb for a medical condition. Any high doses (higher than 0.3%) that you find from an unlicensed seller is either an illegal drug or they’re making a fool of you.
Check the Certificate of Analysis
The license of the vendor you’re buying from is crucial, but it’s not the only thing you must look for. Apart from the place, the product too must be checked for quality. Here are a few things you can look for while buying a product:
Check the label of the product. It must clearly state the manufacturing/expiration date, batch number, an extensive ingredient list, as well as disclaimers about allergens, the quantity of THC, FDA warnings, etc.
Check for the certificate of analysis of the product. You’ll either find a scan code on the bottle that you can scan to find the COA. Otherwise, the COA must be available on the brand’s website.
Since cannabis formulation is not regulated by the FDA, it is your job to ensure that what you consume is of the highest possible quality. The COA will tell you everything about the quality and potency of your product. It’ll tell you,
The cannabinoids that can be found in the product – These could be minor cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, CBC etc., that also have therapeutic effects and are often viewed as a mark of high-quality products.
The terpenes that can be found in the product – These could be limonene, pinene, myrcene, caryophyllene, humulene, etc. The presence of multiple terpenes also hints at the quality of the cannabis product.
The contaminants that can be found in the product – These could be heavy metals, pesticides, toxins, microbes, or even higher concentrations of THC than is claimed by the brand.
Consult a Physician
Consulting your physician is more than just applying for NJ MMJ card. Cannabis, as a herb, can be very interactive with other drugs, prescribed medications or medical supplements. In such a case, consulting your physician about any possible interactions or associated consequences is the best way out.
During your MMJ consultation, ask your physician the following questions:
- If you have a prevailing medical condition, ask if cannabis can help or make the condition worse?
- If you have a medical history, ask if cannabis is safe to be used?
- If you’re consuming any medication, ask about potential interactions.
- If you’re consuming any illicit substance, consult them about possible consequences.
Invest in High Quality but Low Potency Products
You should never compromise on quality. Always invest in high-quality products. However, always investing in high potency products might not work well for you. Especially if you’re a first-time consumer.
It’s crucial to remember that, unlike recreational CBD, medical marijuana can be found in varying levels of potencies. Choosing a high potency product, however, can lead to a lot of associated side effects. These can be:
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Lethargy and Dizziness
- Sleep Disorder
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
Dose Smart, Think Longevity
Even with low potency products, you are a newbie to cannabis use and your tolerance level lies in untrodden grounds. You don’t know how much is too much and how much will be just perfect. In such a situation, it is always recommended that you start with small doses.
This way you can evaluate your tolerance level as you go on consuming the product.
However, it is important to remember that every cannabis product takes effect differently.
Smokable like bongs, joints, cigs, and vapes only takes a few seconds to start showing effect. You can follow up your first dose with a few more puffs after a few minutes.
Sublingual tinctures also take effect quite instantly. If you don’t feel any effects, you can add to your dose after a gap of 30 minutes.
With edibles and drinks, the effects take much longer to show, sometimes even as long as 3 or 4 hours. In this case, taking another dose in the first few hours is not advised.
Ending Words
Your NJ MMJ card can give you access to high-quality and potent cannabis products. But not every product you can buy with this card will work for you. This is why knowing what you want, the kind of effects you’re looking for and your tolerance to cannabinoids like THC is crucial.
As first-time users, you must follow some basic guidelines so you don’t end up challenging yourself and your tolerance. Your first cannabis dose should provide you relief and comfort, not be the reason behind your anxiety. Following the 5 tips given above, you should be able to buy the right cannabis product and enjoy your first experience to the fullest.