With more and more places legalising weed, there have never been more first-time users out there. Back in the day, there weren’t a whole lot of options when it came to what weed to buy, but now? We’re spoiled for choice, and picking a strain for a newbie can seem daunting. Well, worry not because I’m here to guide you through the entire process.
What should I look for in a weed strain?
Before giving specific recommendations for the best strain for a first-time smoker, it’s important to get a basic understanding of how different strains affect people. Before getting into too much depth, though, it’s worth mentioning that everybody will react differently to weed and everything in this article is a very broad generalisation.
Indica vs sativa
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of weed out there: indica and sativa. While pure 100% indica or sativa strains are out there, most of what you’ll find today are hybrids aimed at capturing the best of both worlds. While there are always exceptions to any rule, there are a few general guidelines to remember when choosing a strain.
Overall, indicas provide a more relaxed, calming stone. These are the strains that’ll have you locked to the couch eating handfuls of popcorn while you binge through three seasons of your favourite show. If you want to just chill out at home, take a long flight, or get some sleep, then these are the strains for you. Basically, indica puts you in da couch.
On the other hand, sativas are what you’ll want if you’re looking for a more uplifting, energetic, or cerebral high. These strains tend to provide a burst of mental (or even physical) stimulation to get you on your feet for a nice hike, focused on that boring, repetitive task, or unleash those creative juices. If you’re on your way out for an evening or you’re having apathy, sativas are the strain for you.
As mentioned, most modern strains are a mix of these two that aim to take certain traits; like combining an indica’s relaxation with a sativa’s focus. When you’re looking for a new strain, the ratio of indica to sativa is one of the most important things to consider.
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THC vs CBD
THC is to weed what alcohol is to beer: it’s the stuff that actually gets you high. Therefore, weed with a higher concentration of THC will have a greater effect than weed with lower levels of the compound. On average, most strains today hover around the 20% mark, but that can go as high as 30% or as low as less than 1%.
CBD is another compound found in every weed strain to various degrees. Unlike THC, though, CBD is not psychoactive, meaning that it won’t get you high. Instead, CBD can be effective at dealing with things like nausea, pain, or anxiety. In very general terms, most of the more “medicinal” strains are higher in CBD than THC.
If you want to get high, then look for a strain with high THC. If you want to deal with what ails you, then a strain with more CBD is a better choice. However, if you’re new to using weed, then picking a strain with a lower-than-average amount of THC may be a good choice. While there’s no actual danger involved with getting “too high”, it is possible to overdo it and have a bad time. Start slow, and remember that you can always take more if you want it.
Autoflowering vs feminized
If you’re looking at weed strains, you’ll see terms like “automatic” (or “auto” or “autoflowering”), “feminized”, or maybe even “regular”. These all have to do with how the plant grows and have little to do with the effects of the weed. Northern Lights Feminised and Northern Lights Automatic will, on the whole, provide the same effects. Unless you’re growing, these terms don’t really matter and can be ignored.
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How should I try weed for the first time?
OK, now that we’ve gone over how to pick a strain, let’s talk about how to actually consume it. When it comes to weed, there are two main ways of getting it into your system; inhaling and ingesting. Both have their pros and cons, so let’s unpack the differences.
Smoking
The most common way of getting high is, without a doubt, smoking. The effects of cannabis become apparent within a few seconds of the first puff and will slowly increase until peaking after about 10-15 minutes. The effects can linger for anywhere from 1 to 3 hours after the last toke.
Smoking weed is perhaps the easiest way of consuming it, as all you need are some papers or a pipe. However, smoking is also incredibly bad for your health, especially if you mix your weed with tobacco. Luckily, some alternatives can reduce (but never eliminate) the damage caused by smoking.
Vaping
When you hear people talk about vaping these days, they’re almost certainly referring to e-cigs with nicotine liquid. When we’re talking about weed, though, vaping has a different meaning. Cannabis vaporisers blow superheated air over ground-up flower to cause the THC in the weed to, well, vaporise without combusting the flowers.
Vaping weed typically hits just as quickly as smoking and provides an even more powerful high as what you’re inhaling is almost pure THC with none of the other organic matter from burning a plant. While vaping weed is a less dangerous approach to inhaling weed, it should be mentioned that (from a purely medical standpoint) there is no safe level of smoking or vaping.
The downside is that vaporisers are expensive and difficult to carry around with you. While portable options do exist, they are often underwhelming and overpriced.
Eating
With the rise of legal weed across places like the US, eating weed has become an incredibly viable option. While making your own cannabutter at home is always an option, it can be difficult without access to a large amount of weed or at least some good trimmings. Luckily, there’s no shortage of tasty treats out there today.
Eating weed is a very different experience from smoking it. The effects typically take anywhere from 45-60 minutes to kick in but when the weed does hit you, it hits hard and fast. Overall, the effects of eating weed last much longer and are much more potent than smoking.
This delay between ingesting and getting high can be something of a trap, though. Everyone who has played around with edibles has at least one story of eating a cookie, waiting half an hour, feeling nothing, and then eating two more cookies. Cut to an hour later and you’re passed out on the couch after eating an entire family-size bag of sour cream and onion chips.
If you’re going to try edibles, take it slow and give them time to kick in before eating more. If it’s your first time with weed, give it a full 90 minutes before deciding to eat anything else.
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What’s the best weed to smoke for beginners?
OK, that’s a lot of theory but what strains are actually good for a first-timer? While that ultimately depends on you and what you want, here are a few of my personal top picks that will surely please novice smokers and seasoned stoners alike.
1. Gary Payton XXL
A true 50/50 blend of indica and sativa genetics, Gary Payton XXL is a true gem of a strain. This weed will give you a powerful cerebral high while also providing a relaxing body sensation without being overly sedative. With a sweet berry flavour mixed with zesty citrus, this is one tasty flower and an absolute joy for both growers and users.
2. Kush CBD
As one of the very first strains ever cultivated, Kush might just be the most common strain out there today. As a pure indica, Kush is largely known for its calming effects, but Kush CBD gives the classic strain a modern twist. With only minimal THC but high levels of CBD, this strain is an ideal choice for someone who doesn’t want to get too high.
3. WSS Skunk
When it comes to cannabis genetics, Skunk is one of the most famous lineages out there, appearing in dozens (if not hundreds) of different strains. WSS Skunk, specifically, is an indica-dominant hybrid that provides an even mix of a deep stoned feeling with just enough of an energetic high to keep you sharp. Combined with its classic taste and smell, WSS Skunk is sure to please anybody.
4. Durban Poison
On the other side of the coin, Durban Poison is a fairly rare 100% pure sativa known for its energising and uplifting effects. This strain gives you a clear-headed, focused, and euphoric high that will bolster creativity and have you walking on sunshine. This is an ideal choice for daytime use, especially if you’re going to be out and about.
5. Northern Lights
A true classic if there ever was one, Northern Lights is a pure indica strain dating back to 1985. This strain is a long-time favourite of growers due to its robust nature and compact size, but users love its relaxing, full-body effects. If you’re looking for a strain to melt away the day’s stresses and unwind in the evening, it’s hard to get much better than Northern Lights.
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Give it a try
At the end of the day, there’s a weed strain for everyone. If you’re trying for the first time, think about the effect you’re after. If you want to unwind, grab an indica. If you want to spend the day painting in a field, then a sativa is your best bet. Or, if you just can’t pick, then a hybrid strain can give you a sample of the best of both worlds.
