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New to Cannabis? Start Here.
A first-timer's guide to dosing, timing, and staying safe. Free, no signup required.
Start low, go slow
The single most useful rule for anyone new to cannabis. It's much easier to take a little more later than to undo taking too much. A reasonable starting point for a first-timer:
| Smoking / vaping | 1 to 2 small inhalations, then wait 15 minutes before more |
| Edibles | 2.5 to 5mg THC (many gummies are 10mg, so start with a quarter or half) |
| Tinctures | 2.5 to 5mg THC, held under the tongue for 30 to 60 seconds |
Tolerance varies a lot by person. These are conservative starting points, not a ceiling. Give it time before deciding you need more.
How long each method takes
The biggest first-timer mistake is redosing an edible too soon because it hasn't "hit" yet after 20 minutes. It can take up to two hours. Give it time before taking more of anything.
| Smoking / vaping flower | Onset 1 to 5 minutes · peak 15 to 30 minutes · lasts 1 to 3 hours |
| Vape cartridge / concentrate | Onset 1 to 5 minutes · peak 15 to 30 minutes · lasts 1 to 3 hours |
| Edibles (gummies, chocolate, etc.) | Onset 30 minutes to 2 hours · peak 2 to 4 hours · lasts 4 to 8+ hours |
| Tinctures / sublingual drops | Onset 15 to 45 minutes · peak 1 to 2 hours · lasts 4 to 6 hours |
| Topicals (balms, lotions) | Onset 15 to 30 minutes · peak varies · lasts localized, no high |
Staying safe
- Never drive or operate machinery after using cannabis, even if you feel fine.
- Avoid combining with alcohol or other substances, since effects can compound unpredictably.
- Store products away from children and pets, in original packaging.
- If you feel too high: it will pass. Find a calm space, hydrate, and try CBD or a few peppercorns (chewed, not swallowed) if you have them. Both may help take the edge off. It is extremely unlikely to be dangerous, just unpleasant.
- If you're prone to anxiety, look for strains/products with a higher CBD ratio and lower THC.
- If you're pregnant, nursing, or on other medications, talk to a doctor first.
Choosing a strain
Effects come from a mix of THC/CBD ratio and terpenes, not just the strain name. Our effect guides and free recommendation toolcan point you toward something suited to what you're after, based on what other users report.
Get a free personalized recommendation →