Smoking cannabis (weed or marijuana) is a popular way to use the plant's natural properties for medicinal and recreational purposes. But for beginners, that first smoking session can be scary. Many questions would certainly run through your mind, like how to inhale weed, enjoy weed, smoke weed without coughing, or the best way to smoke a joint. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about how to smoke weed correctly, from gathering supplies to your first smoke.
Preparing to Smoke: Gathering Supplies and Preparing the Apparatus
Before you can light up, you'll need to gather the necessary supplies. Below is a list of the basic supplies you'll need before smoking:
Grinder
A grinder breaks down cannabis buds into smaller, more manageable pieces. It typically consists of two interlocking parts with teeth that shred the cannabis when twisted. Grinders ensure a consistent grind, which helps with even burning and airflow. They are available in various materials, such as metal, acrylic, or wood.
Rolling Papers
Rolling papers are thin sheets, typically made from wood pulp, hemp, or rice, used to roll cannabis into a joint or a blunt. They come in different sizes, flavors, and thicknesses. Rolling papers provide a convenient and portable way to smoke cannabis and are popular with many users.
Rolling Machine
If rolling by hand is challenging, a machine can be helpful. Rolling machines help you roll a joint or a blunt more easily and consistently. Place the ground cannabis in the machine, add a roll of paper, and roll it up. Rolling machines are available in manual or electric versions.
Filters/Tips
Filters, tips, or crutches are small pieces of material, typically made of paper or cardboard, rolled into the end of a joint or a blunt. They serve as a mouthpiece, provide structural support, and prevent loose cannabis from being inhaled. Filters also help to keep the joint or blunt shape intact while smoking.
Rolling Tray
A rolling tray is a flat surface, usually made of metal, plastic, or wood, used to organize and prepare cannabis smoking materials. It provides a clean and convenient area to roll joints, break up buds, and store your smoking accessories. Rolling trays often have curved edges to prevent spillage and keep your materials contained.
Storage Containers
Airtight storage containers made of glass, metal, or plastic can help preserve the quality of your cannabis by protecting it from light, air, and moisture. Some containers even come with built-in humidity control packs to maintain optimal conditions.
Odor Control
If you're concerned about the odor of your cannabis, you may want to consider odor-control accessories. Options include a smell-proof bag or container designed to minimize odors, air filters or purifiers, and candles or air fresheners specifically formulated to eliminate or mask cannabis odors.
Pipe
A pipe is a simple, portable device that allows you to smoke cannabis. It consists of a bowl where you place the cannabis, a carburetor (a small hole to control airflow), and a mouthpiece. Pipes come in various materials, such as glass, wood, metal, or ceramic. They are relatively easy to use and clean, making them a popular choice for beginners.
Bong
A bong, a water pipe, cools and filters the smoke through water before inhalation. It typically consists of a base, a chamber filled with water, a bowl where you place the cannabis, a downstem, and a mouthpiece. The smoke is drawn through the water, which helps to remove some impurities and provides a smoother hit. Bongs come in various sizes and shapes and can be made from glass, acrylic, silicone, or other materials.
Bubbler
A bubbler combines a pipe's portability with a bong's water filtration. It is a small handheld device with a water chamber that filters the smoke. Bubblers usually have a bowl, a downstream, and a mouthpiece. They are a good option if you're looking for a more compact and travel-friendly alternative to a bong.
Lighter
A standard lighter is the most convenient and widely available tool for lighting cannabis. It produces a flame that can be easily directed to ignite the cannabis in your chosen smoking device. Disposable lighters can be found at most convenience stores, while refillable lighters offer a more sustainable option.
Hemp wick
Hemp wick is an alternative to using a lighter directly on cannabis. It consists of a hemp-fiber wick coated in beeswax. To use it, you light the wick and use the flame to ignite the cannabis. Many people prefer hemp wick because it offers a cleaner taste than a butane lighter.
Different Methods of Smoking Weed: An Overview
What are the different ways to smoke weed? There's no strict way to smoke weed; you can have fun and test out smoking with pipes, bongs, blunts, and joints to see which one you enjoy most. Each method has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, so here's a quick overview of the most popular ways to smoke weed:
Joint: Rolling and Smoking Techniques
One of the most popular weed consumption methods is rolling a joint. These are typically rolled with paper like rolling paper, but there are also more creative ways to roll joints, such as using an empty cigar tube or a hollowed-out pen. Joints can be rolled with cannabis flowers or mixed with other herbs for flavor and effect.
How to Roll a Joint
To roll a joint, you'll need the following:
• Cannabis flower
• Rolling papers
• Crutch/filter (optional)
Once you've gathered your supplies, you must grind, roll, and seal. Use a grinder to break the marijuana flower into small pieces with your fingers. Make sure to grind it evenly so that the joint will smoke evenly.
Place the cannabis on one end of the rolling paper and roll it up, tucking in the sides as you go. If you're using a filter, insert it before this step. At the end of rolling, make sure to wet the edges of the paper with saliva or an adhesive like honey/vegetable glycerin before sealing it shut. Sealing your joint will help keep it together when smoking.
How to Smoke a Joint
For your first time smoking a joint, inhale slowly and evenly. Take smaller puffs at first so you don't hit too much smoke simultaneously. As you become more experienced, try taking deeper draws and holding the smoke in your lungs for an extended period before exhaling. Doing this will maximize the effects of the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and the other compounds in the weed.
How To Smoke Weed With A Pipe: Packing Step-By-Step Instructions
Smoking a pipe is one of the coolest ways to smoke weed, and it is similar to smoking a joint. The main difference is that you'll need to pack the bowl of your pipe with cannabis flowers before inhaling.
How to Pack a Pipe
To pack your pipe, you'll need the following items:
Cannabis flower
Pipe
A small pair of scissors (optional)
Pipe cleaner or paper clip (optional)
Once you have all the supplies, grind up the marijuana flower into finer pieces using a grinder or scissors. Be sure to grind it evenly. Place the cannabis in the bowl of your pipe and lightly tamp it down with a finger or tool like a pipe cleaner/paper clip.
Next, place your lighter or match above the bowl and inhale. Make sure to draw slow and steady breaths to enjoy the experience without coughing. Many people also like to rotate their pipes while taking a hit, as this causes the weed to smoke more evenly. When you're done, tap out any remaining pieces of marijuana from the bowl and store them for later use.
Can you smoke weed out of a tobacco pipe? While it is possible, it is not exactly the most efficient alternative. Tobacco pipes usually have smaller bowls compared to pipes specifically designed for smoking weed. This means you may need to pack the weed more tightly or break it into smaller pieces to fit properly. Also, using a tobacco pipe may result in inefficient heat distribution and suboptimal vaporization of the cannabinoids.
How To Smoke Weed With A Bong: Setting up and Smoking Techniques
Smoking a bong is one of the healthiest ways to smoke weed because it cools down the smoke before inhalation. Bongs come in many different shapes and sizes, but they all work on the same principle by filtering out some harmful chemicals created during combustion.
How to Set Up a Bong
To set up your bong, you'll need the following items:
• Cannabis flower
• Bong
• Lighter or match
• Water (optional)
Once you have all your supplies ready,the next step is to set them up. Place your cannabis in the bowl of your bong and apply heat from a lighter or match. As you inhale, the smoke will travel down the tube and fill the chamber. If you're using a water bong, make sure to add enough water so that it covers the downstream completely.
When ready, take a deep breath while keeping your finger over the carburetor or hole in the side of your bong. This helps regulate airflow and ensures all the smoke is inhaled immediately. After taking a hit, slowly release your finger from the carburetor and let out a slow exhale for maximum effect.
Finally, empty any remaining pieces of cannabis from the bowl before storing them away for later use.
Choosing the Right Strain: Matching Weed Types to Desired Effects
People take weed for different reasons. For some, weed is a way to relax and unwind after a stressful day. For others, it's a way to enhance creativity or increase focus. This disparity in effects is why you need to select the right strain for your desired outcome.
Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid Strains
The three main categories of weed strains are indica, sativa, and hybrid.
Indica Strains
Indica strains are extracted from the Cannabis indica plant and are known for their calming, soothing effects. They tend to produce heavier body highs and can be great for sleeping or relaxation.
Sativa strains
Sativa strains are extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant and are known for their energizing, uplifting effects. They often induce creativity and focus, making them ideal for daytime activities.
Hybrid strains
Hybrid strains are a combination of indica and sativa strains that offer a mix of both types of effects. Some hybrids lean more towards one strain than the other, so knowing your weed is important when choosing one.
Selecting the Strain Based on Desired Effects
When selecting a strain, it's important to consider the desired effect you want from it. If you're looking for a calming, soothing experience, then an Indica strain would be best. For focused creativity and energy, sativa strains are ideal.
For a mix of both effects, hybrid strains can be helpful. Additionally, knowing your THC/CBD content is important when deciding on the amount of cannabis to use to achieve the desired effect without being overwhelmed by its psychoactive properties.
Inhaling and Exhaling: Maximizing the Smoking Experience
Smoking weed is an "inhale" and "exhale" process. Seasonal smokers know the importance of understanding inhaling and exhaling during a smoking session.
Inhale
Take a deep breath before you inhale the smoke. Taking deep breaths expands your lung capacity and ensures you can take and hold in enough CBD.
Exhale
When exhaling, it's best to do so slowly and with purpose. Controlled exhalation helps maximize the effects of cannabis by prolonging its absorption in the body. Additionally, a slow exhale can help reduce coughing or throat discomfort caused by inhaling smoke.
Pay attention to your body and how it reacts after you inhale and exhale. Be present in the moment and observe the effects that cannabis has on your mind and body so that you can make changes for better future experiences.
Responsible Smoking: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Marijuana laws vary by jurisdiction, and it is important to follow local regulations when consuming cannabis. For example, smoking weed in public places is illegal in most states and countries, and you should only consume cannabis in private settings, such as a residence.
It's also important to respect other people's boundaries when consuming cannabis. Even in private settings, ask for permission and be mindful of other people's feelings. Why? Cannabis can have an impact on people's moods, and it is important to be respectful of those around you when consuming. Follow these tips to prevent the adverse effects of weed when smoking it for the first time.
Tips for Responsible Smoking:
Ensure you are in a private setting and have permission from those around you.
Start with smaller doses to gauge the effects.
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while consuming cannabis.
Respect other people's boundaries and be mindful of their feelings when smoking.
Follow all local regulations regarding consuming marijuana in public places.
Alternative Methods of Consuming Weed: Beyond Smoking
Not everyone likes the idea of rolling and smoking blunts; a lot of people don't even want to light a flower, but they would like to consume weed. Fortunately, there are many ways to consume weed without smoking it.
Edibles
Edibles are cannabis-infused food and drinks that provide easy consumption and long-lasting effects. They can come in the form of gummies, brownies, chocolate bars, or even a cup of coffee! It is important to note that edibles take longer to kick in than smoking because your digestive system must first process them. But they are delicious and can have long-term effects.
Vaporizers
Vaporizers are electronic devices that heat cannabis to a temperature just below combustion, releasing cannabinoids and terpenes without producing smoke. This method of consumption is much more discreet than smoking, as it produces virtually no smell and users report fewer respiratory effects. However, vaporizers are not recommended for novice users since they can be more expensive than other smoking methods.
Topicals
Topicals are cannabis-infused creams and ointments that provide localized relief without psychoactive effects. They can treat muscle pain, skin conditions, and other physical ailments. Topicals contain THC or CBD, which binds to cannabinoid receptors in the skin and can provide localized relief for specific body areas. The advantages of this method include no psychoactive effects, localized relief of pain and inflammation, and easy application. On the other hand, it takes longer for the effects to kick in, and the effects are much more subtle than those of smoking or consuming edibles.
Conclusion
Smoking weed can be a rewarding experience if done responsibly and with an understanding of its effects on your body. As this guide has shown, there are many different ways to consume marijuana, from smoking blunts to edibles. It is important to make informed decisions about how you consume cannabis to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks.