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indica
sativaJuly 8, 2026
Things I Wish I Knew Earlier About Cannabis
July 8, 2026
Things I Wish I Knew Earlier About Cannabis
Table of Contents
If you’re just starting out with cannabis, or maybe you’re getting back into it after a while, you could be one bad session away from turning your back on what this plant has to offer.
Luckily, with my years of experience (aka “wisdom” gathered from tons and tons of dumb decisions), I’ve put together this handy guide on easy, actionable tips that can help ensure a smooth landing.
So if you’re new to cannabis, getting back into it, or just want to make your sessions a bit better, here are a few things I wish I knew earlier.
Don’t Start With a Full Edible
I’m not saying avoid edibles completely. But if it’s your first, second, third, fourth, or even fifth time, you don’t need to (nor want to) jump into a full 25mg gummy.
That time will come, but that time isn’t now.
When you’re just starting out, your goal is simple: have a good time. In plain English, that means starting with a lower milligram experience and giving yourself room to see how it feels.
A few beginner-friendly suggestions:
DASH or Tropical THC Drink Mixes
THC drinks are a great starting point because you can sip slowly instead of committing to a full edible at once. What I’d recommend for starting out with drink mixes is to get a reusable water bottle, add the mix, take a small sip, put the cap back on, and pop it back in the fridge.
The beauty with drinks (or any product made with nano-emulsified THC) is that you can feel the effects in as little as ~15 minutes.
This quality helps you avoid the “time travel” trap of traditional edibles, where you eat one, don’t feel anything, eat another, and then, all of a sudden, you wake up, and you’ve time-traveled to tomorrow morning.
5mg Day & Night Discovery Pack
Even a whole 5mg gummy can be a bit much if you’re new or have taken a break for a while. I’d recommend cutting these guys in half or, better yet, into quarters.
Since traditional edibles take a while to set in, I’d wait at least an hour before making the executive decision to take more.
Inhalables
Personally, I’d rank inhalables (vapes, concentrates, etc.) as the top-tier starter product just because:
- They have the fastest onset with the lightest effects
- My first cannabis experience was with inhalables
Nonetheless, I get how smoking or vaping isn’t for everyone, and the legality of hemp inhalables can vary greatly between different states.
But if you do live in a state where inhalables are available (rhyme not intended), simply start with the smallest pull you can take, and within ~5 minutes, you’ll know whether to take more or stay where you are.
Stacking
Alright, so you’ve done the rounds with a lower milligram count, and now you’re looking to move up in the world. Good for you.
But I’d say, if, for example, you wanted to go from a 5mg to a 10mg gummy, I wouldn’t just jump headfirst into the full 10mg. Instead, I’d recommend “stacking.”
So what is stacking?
Basically, using the example from above, if you wanted to move from 5mg to 10mg, don’t consume the 10mg all at once. Instead, cut the 10mg gummy in half, consume 5mg, wait 45 minutes to an hour (or just when you start to feel that first half), and then consume the second half.
Letting the full higher THC serving hit you all at once can feel a bit overwhelming, but when you stack up your servings, the gradual onset can feel a bit smoother and easier to manage.
Then, once you feel you're used to and comfortable with that higher milligram count, feel free to try it all at once.
Keep It Special
What does “keep it special” mean? Simply put, it’s about preserving the experience that made you enjoy cannabis in the first place.
Too often, many experienced enthusiasts may find themselves consuming cannabis on “autopilot.” Bored? Take a gummy. Scrolling on your phone? Take a puff. Sitting around the house? Have a drink.
Eventually, this can lead to a type of rut where you get diminishing returns on the experience and feel of THC (a.k.a. tolerance).
One easy way to get out of this rut is to give your sessions purpose. Maybe it’s enjoying it with a movie you’ve never seen before, unwinding after a long day at work, or just hanging out with friends.
What works for keeping me out of these types of ruts is scheduling my cannabis sessions within a specific time window. That way, those built-in breaks give my tolerance a chance to reset and keep the experience feeling fresh.
Be Somewhere Comfortable
I’d argue that where you consume cannabis and the people you're with may have as much influence on your experience as the amount of THC you consume.
If it’s your first time consuming THC or getting back into it, I’d highly recommend trying it in the comfort of your own home, at a friend’s place, or better yet, with friends who are experienced with THC.
The reason for this is that THC heightens your senses, and just as minor pleasures in your day-to-day life might feel a bit more noticeable, the stuff that bothers you can be more noticeable.
For example, I’m not a huge fan of loud, crowded places with lots of commotion. When I’ve consumed THC in these settings, I didn’t really have the best time.
And then there’s the people you’re with. I’ve had great sessions with friends discovering new music, playing music, watching movies, playing board games, you name it.
I’ve also had not-so-great sessions with acquaintances who, I hate to say, had “no chill.”
Yeah. Never again.
If any of those were my first session with cannabis, I’d probably never touch it again, and I bet there are people out there who have had similar experiences.
Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t explore new settings with cannabis, or consume cannabis with people new to you.
But when you’re starting out or getting back into the swing of things, you definitely want to go for familiar, comfortable people and places. You can save the more “adventurous” settings for later in your career.
Have a Drink on Hand
An ice-cold glass of water, or even a warm cup of herbal tea, can be the MVP of cannabis sessions.
Before I even open the bag of gummies, crack open a can of THC lemonade, or take a puff, I like to make sure I have a (non-infused) beverage for two main reasons.
The first is that dry mouth is very real, especially when consuming through inhalation, but it can be brought on by edibles.
The second is that having a frosty drink or a warm cup of tea or even coffee can be “grounding,” especially if I ever begin to feel a bit overwhelmed.
Having a beverage on hand is a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
Invest in the Good Stuff
I’ve bought more… “questionable” cannabis products than I’d like to admit. Sometimes I’ve felt absolutely nothing. Other times, the product was a lot more potent than advertised. But almost every time, it tasted like nasty, bitter garbage.
Now, I’m not here to name names (if they’re even still around) or sling mud, but quality matters. Going out of the way to find something of quality (reputable, full-panel tested, etc.) can mean the difference between a great session and just a plain bad one (or even a weird one).
Cheaper, mystery products can be tempting, but their appeal ends at their price point. The taste can be bitter, the effects can be inconsistent, and you pretty much end up blowing money on a not-so-great experience.
Plus, you definitely don’t want to be the one who brings bunk products to the hangout.
A little investment in the good stuff helps keep the good times rolling.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re starting completely new or reintroducing cannabis back into your life, a bad or even just “meh” session early on can keep you from enjoying the benefits of this remarkable plant.
If anything, I hope this guide helps you skip a few of the mistakes I made along the way and helps you reap all the benefits cannabis can bring.
So here’s to making your session your best one yet. Until next time.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always check with your physician if you are taking prescription medication before starting a new dietary supplement.
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