Cannabis 101: A Beginners Guide

If you’re new to cannabis, welcome to the wonderful, whacky, wild world of weed!

There's lots to know, from various cannabis products to necessary equipment to fun, curious, and sometimes confusing accessories.  So, don’t fret if you’re feeling a bit lost.

The Cannawayz.com team created an easy-to-follow Beginners Guide to Cannabis to help you get started. Our little instructional manual covers the following:

• A glossary of terms
• The basic equipment you need to get started
• And a few cannabis strains recommended for novice users
• Ready to roll (pun intended)? Let’s dive in!

Cannabis Glossary of Terms

Cannabis strains – The various breeds and crossbreeds of cannabis flower are referred to as strains and roughly divided into Indica, Sativa, and hybrid categories. And individual breeders name the strains they create, giving rise to some pretty crazy monikers.

Cannabis flower – These are the leafy cannabis buds smoked in joints, pipes, and bongs.

Cannabis vapes – Like traditional e-cigarette vapes, a battery-operated vape pen or “vaporizer” superheats concentrated cannabis oil, converting it into vapor. Users activate a vape by sucking on the mouthpiece and inhaling the concentrated vapor.

Cannabis edibles – Various edible items, from baked goods to chocolate to gummies and even beverages, are infused with concentrated cannabis and often referred to as simply “edibles.”

Cannabis concentrates – Similar to concentrated frozen juice, cannabis concentrates contain the key parts of cannabis flower, including cannabinoids and terpenes, the active (AKA intoxicating) ingredients. Common cannabis concentrates include oil, wax, shatter, and crumble.

Joint – Loose leaf cannabis flower is rolled into a “marijuana cigarette.” You can roll your own joints or buy pre-rolled joints, commonly known as “pre-rolls.” 

Bowl or pipe – Cannabis flower is often smoked using a glass, metal, or ceramic pipe typically referred to as a “bowl.” The name is derived from the bowl-shaped portion of the pipe in which the cannabis flower is placed.

Bong or water pipe – Typically consisting of a cylinder, stem, and bowl, bongs are a popular cannabis consumption method. Bongs, also known as water pipes and bubblers, act as filters. Users place several inches of water into the cylinder, pack cannabis flower into the bowl, light cannabis flower, suck through the top to fill the tube with cannabis vapor, and finally inhale the vapor. The cannabis smoke is vaporized in the water, reducing the amount of superheated smoke users intake into their lungs.

Of course, there are tons more cannabis vocabulary. In fact, there are literal books dedicated to the subject. But this is enough to get you started. 

Cannabis Starter Equipment

Truth be told, you don’t need much to get started with cannabis. Some cannabis flower, a pipe or rolling papers, and a lighter, and you’re ready to toke up!

Cannabis vapes are another easy starting point. Many vape makers produce proprietary, disposable, all-in-one vape batteries and cartridges. Cannabis oil cartridges that connect to generic vape pens are also an option.

To pick up these items, start with your local dispensary (assuming you live in a legalized area). Theoretically, you can pick up everything you need from a dispensary. But you’ll pay a premium at a dispensary for accessories like pipes, rolling papers, vape pens, and even lighters. Best to restrict your dispensary purchases to cannabis flower, vape cartridges, and edibles.

You can pick a cannabis pipe or vape pen at most tobacco shops. You can also buy rolling papers and lighters here, but again, you’ll pay a premium. If you only need rolling papers or a lighter, drop by a convenience store. 

*A word to the wise! If you’re a true cannabis novice, it’s probably best to start with a vape or a pipe. Vapes couldn’t be simpler. You can handle a vape if you can push a button and inhale. On the same coin, pipes are very easy to use. Just pack a bowl, light it up, and inhale. Rolling a decent joint, however, requires some practice, and you’re likely to waste a lot of your weed in a poorly rolled joint. Better to work your way up to joints.

Beginner Cannabis Strains

These days, many cannabis strains are incredibly p-o-t-e-n-t! Just a hit or two of certain strains can put you down for the count.

As such, it’s best to steer clear of high-THC strains when first experimenting with cannabis. Toward that end, here are a handful of recommended strains:

Harlequin – With 4%-7% THC and 8%-16% CBD, the strain’s mild psychoactive effects make it an excellent choice for beginners new to cannabis.

ACDC – With THC levels ranging from 1%-6% and CBD levels topping out at 20%, the strain’s psychoactive effects a minimal, but it delivers deep relaxation while keeping your mind clear and alert.

Pennywise – With an even balance of 8% THC and CBD, users report feeling definite psychoactive effects but aren’t overwhelmed by the impact.

Charlotte’s Web – With 12% CBD and just under 1% THC, the strain was bred specifically for use in wellness products, including CBD oils, gummies, capsules, and the like.

Remedy – With 12% CBD and less than 1% THC, the strain’s extremely mild psychoactive effects deliver mellow relaxation.

Looking For Some Cannabis To Begin Your Experimental Journey? Order From a Cannabis Delivery Service!

Dispensaries can be intimidating and overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with the setting. Fortunately, you skip that scene entirely and order online from a cannabis delivery service. Most services offer same-day delivery to your home or office.

And in most legalized areas, both medical marijuana delivery services and recreational marijuana delivery services are available.

To find an area provider, search online for “weed delivery near me,” and you’ll see plenty of options.