What to Know Before Smoking Weed for the First Time

Cannabis smoke sends THC to the brain in under 60 seconds. The high peaks at 15 to 30 minutes and fades in 2 to 3 hours. Most bad first experiences come from taking too much THC. Start with 1 or 2 puffs of a lower-potency product and wait 15 minutes before the next puff.

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What THC does to the body

THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and nervous system. Heart rate can rise 20 to 50 beats per minute in the first hour. Blood vessels in the eyes dilate, so the eyes look red. Saliva drops, so the mouth dries out. Reaction time, short-term memory, and coordination get worse. Hunger rises.

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Strength has changed

The THC content of cannabis flower sold in the US rose from about 4% in 1995 to about 17% or higher in recent samples, per the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Concentrates test at 60% to 90% THC. One puff of 20% flower can carry more THC than a full joint did in 1990.

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Timing

• Smoked or vaped: effects in seconds to 10 minutes, peak at 15 to 30 minutes, done in 2 to 3 hours.
• Edibles and drinks: effects in 30 to 120 minutes, peak at 2 to 4 hours, done in 4 to 8 hours. Wait 2 full hours before taking more.

Common side effects

Dry mouth, red eyes, fast pulse, dizziness when standing, hunger, slower speech, memory gaps for the last hour, anxiety, and paranoia. Nausea happens. These effects pass as THC clears.

Signs that need medical help

Chest pain, fainting, severe or repeated vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, or panic that does not settle after an hour. Call 911 in the US. Poison control is at 1-800-222-1222 for questions about a dose.

What raises the risk

• Alcohol or other drugs in the same session.
• High-THC concentrates and dabs.
• A personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia.
• Heart conditions, low blood pressure, or pregnancy.
• Age under 21. Legal adult-use sales in US states require age 21.
• Using alone or in an unfamiliar place for the first time.

Before the first session

1. Buy from a licensed store and read the label. THC percentage and total milligrams are printed on it.
2. Pick flower over concentrates. Pick a product under 20% THC for the first try.
3. Eat something first. Drink water.
4. Tell one person what you are doing and stay with them.
5. Do not drive. Reaction time and lane control drop. Effects last 2 to 3 hours after smoking.
6. Keep a phone charged and a place to sit.

Legal facts in the US

Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. State laws allow adult use in some states with a minimum age of 21. Carrying cannabis across state lines is a federal offense. Employers and landlords can still restrict use.

If you get too high

Stop smoking. Sit down. Sip water. Breathe slow, 4 seconds in and 6 seconds out. Time is the main fix. The high ends. There is no strong evidence that CBD or black pepper reverses a THC high. Do not take more cannabis to fix the feeling.