New To Cannabis? Seven things you need to know.
1. Start Low and Go Slow
You wouldn’t walk into a bar for the first drink of your life and order five tequila shots, would you? Not likely. You’d be on the floor in no time. The same goes for cannabis. You have to “Start Low and Go Slow,” especially if it’s your first time. While the effects of cannabis can be quite different than those experienced with alcohol, overconsumption can still make you feel uncomfortable. You want your first cannabis experience to be an enjoyable one, and there’s an excellent chance it will be!
2. Understand the Chemistry
There are over 100 different chemical compounds in cannabis known as cannabinoids, the best known of which are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is commonly known as the compound that produces the euphoric high, while CBD is generally known to produce a more relaxing and therapeutic effect. THC and CBD interact with each other and with the other cannabinoids and compounds in a particular strain to produce different types of highs, depending on the strain and your body chemistry. The percentages of THC and CBD in every strain sold by Delta 9 are displayed in-store, and on all of our cannabis container labels
3. Pick a Strain – Sativa vs. Indica
There are thousands of different cannabis strains, and Delta 9 offers an excellent selection. Sativa strains are generally associated with a more energizing high that simulates the mind and increases creativity. Indica strains are commonly associated with having a more relaxing effect on the mind and body. Sativa strains are often recommended for daytime use, creative pursuits and social functions, while Indica strains are often recommended for use in the evening, staying home and watching a movie, or even sleeping! Indica strains are also commonly known to increase appetite and reduce anxiety. Hybrid strains are a blend of both Sativa and Indica and feature properties of both strains. A brief conversation with a Delta 9 Cannabis Specialist can help you narrow your choices further based on their in-depth knowledge and specialized training, combined with feedback from previous consumers.
Jennifer Gingras, Delta 9 Cannabis Specialist at the Osborne Village location
4. Choose a Consumption Method
Cannabis can be smoked, vaporized, ingested or applied topically to the skin. Each method of consumption can take different amounts of time to generate the desired effects. Effects can generally be felt almost immediately when smoking or vaporizing cannabis. Ingestible soft gels and edibles can take 30-90 minutes or more to produce the desired effect, and it is recommended that you wait at least that long before ingesting more. Your high can last anywhere from 2-8 hours, but somewhere between 2-4 hours would be considered a normal time frame.
5. Use Responsibly
You must be 19 or older to buy and consume cannabis in Manitoba and you cannot smoke or vape cannabis in public, but you can carry a maximum of 30 grams of marijuana on you while in public. You can only buy from licensed retailers and you cannot grow cannabis at home. You cannot drive while high, and when transporting cannabis in your vehicle it must be stored in the trunk, an exterior compartment on the vehicle or another space in the vehicle designed for the carriage of goods or baggage that is not readily accessible to any person in the vehicle. It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canadian border, whether you’re leaving or coming to Canada, regardless of whether cannabis is legal in the country or location you are traveling to or from.
6. Consume in a Safe Place
The first time you try cannabis you should be in a relaxed, comfortable setting, preferably with friends. If you’re trying cannabis on your own, home would be a good place to start. Again, just make sure to start low and go slow and do not combine cannabis with any other drugs or alcohol. Try a little bit and see how it affects you. You want to fully understand how your cannabis makes you feel before you venture out into public places or attend social functions. Once you’ve achieved the desired effect, let your inhibitions go, sit back and…
Happy customers at Delta 9 Cannabis Store, St. Vital
7. Enjoy Your First Delta 9 Cannabis Experience!
There’s a very good chance that your first Delta 9 cannabis experience will live up to your expectations, especially if you start low and go slow. You might still get the giggles or the munchies, or you might just feel super relaxed and content.
Depending on the strain you choose and your body chemistry, cannabis can make you feel euphoric, anxious, relaxed, sleepy, hungry, or a combination of all. In general however, most consumers report that cannabis enhances the senses. Movies are more enjoyable, food tastes better, touch is more stimulating and conversations can definitely be more interesting, and funnier, for no apparent reason. If the strain you choose doesn’t achieve the desired outcome, you can always try something different. At some point however, your perceptions will be altered.
Just the way you want them to be.
