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# How to Smoke Weed: A Beginner's Guide to Cannabis and Smoking Etiquette
If you're new to cannabis, smoking weed can seem more complicated than it actually is.
How much should you smoke? Are you supposed to inhale differently? What happens if you get too high? And if you're smoking with friends, are there rules you're somehow supposed to already know?
There aren't many official rules to smoking weed, but there are some basics that can make the experience more comfortable, especially if you're new to cannabis.
Here's what to know before you light up.
Start With Less Than You Think You Need
One of the most important things to remember with cannabis is simple:
You can always consume more. You can't consume less of something you've already smoked.
You don't need to keep up with anyone else.
Take a small hit and give yourself some time to see how you feel before deciding whether you want another one.
Cannabis products can vary significantly in potency, and your experience can depend on your tolerance, the product, how much you consume and your individual response to THC.
If you're new to cannabis or haven't smoked in a while, starting slowly is usually the better move.
How Do You Actually Smoke Weed?
Cannabis flower can be smoked in several different ways, including:
- Joints
- Pre-rolls
- Pipes
- Bongs
- Blunts
The basic process is similar.
Light the cannabis while gently inhaling. Once you have taken a comfortable amount of smoke, stop inhaling from the cannabis and breathe normally.
You don't need to take an enormous hit, and you don't need to hold cannabis smoke in your lungs for a long time.
Taking bigger hits doesn't prove anything. If a smaller hit is comfortable for you, take a smaller hit.
Give Yourself Time Between Hits
Smoking cannabis generally produces effects much faster than eating an edible, but that doesn't mean you need to immediately take another hit.
Give yourself a little time.
This is especially helpful when you're smoking unfamiliar flower, concentrates or an infused pre-roll that may be stronger than what you normally consume.
If you're comfortable where you are, there's no requirement to keep going.
It's Always Okay to Pass
Cannabis can be social, but consuming it is still an individual decision.
If someone passes you a joint and you don't want another hit, pass it along.
If you don't want to smoke at all, don't.
You don't owe anyone an explanation, and a good smoking circle isn't going to care.
Knowing when you've had enough is much better than consuming more because everyone else is still going.
What If You Get Too High?
It happens.
If you've consumed more THC than you're comfortable with, the most important thing is to stop consuming more cannabis and give yourself time.
Move somewhere calm and comfortable. Drink some water. Sit or lie down if that feels better, and remind yourself that the effects will wear off.
Avoid driving or trying to "walk it off" somewhere unfamiliar.
If someone is experiencing severe or concerning symptoms, seek appropriate medical help rather than assuming cannabis is the only thing involved.
Why Does Weed Give You Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth, commonly called cottonmouth, is a common effect associated with cannabis use.
Having water nearby is an easy way to make yourself more comfortable.
You don't need a special cannabis drink or remedy. Water, another non-alcoholic beverage or even chewing gum may help with the uncomfortable dry-mouth feeling.
And no, drinking water won't make you less high. It can just make being high a little more comfortable.
Don't Mix Cannabis and Driving
This one isn't etiquette. It's safety and the law.
Don't drive while impaired by cannabis.
Being able to legally purchase and consume cannabis in Washington does not make it legal to drive while you're impaired.
Plan ahead.
Use a designated driver, rideshare, taxi or public transportation, or consume somewhere you can safely stay until you're no longer impaired.
The same applies to operating machinery or doing anything else where impairment could put you or someone else in danger.
Basic Weed Etiquette When You're Smoking With Friends
Cannabis culture has accumulated plenty of unofficial rules over the years, but most of them come down to being considerate.
If someone else supplied the cannabis, don't assume you're entitled to as much as you want.
Don't pressure someone to take another hit.
Don't criticize someone for taking a small hit.
Don't hold onto a shared joint forever while you're telling a story.
And if you're regularly smoking someone else's weed, bringing something to share once in a while is a nice gesture.
It doesn't need to be more complicated than that.
Don't Smoke Around People Who Don't Want to Be Around Smoke
Not everyone wants to smell cannabis or breathe secondhand smoke.
Be aware of the people around you and where you're consuming.
In Washington, legal cannabis doesn't mean you can smoke anywhere you want. Public consumption remains prohibited, and property owners, landlords and businesses may have their own restrictions.
Your best option is a private place where cannabis consumption is permitted and where you're not exposing other people to smoke without their consent.
Store Your Cannabis Safely
Once you're done, don't leave cannabis sitting somewhere children or pets can reach it.
Keep flower, pre-rolls, edibles and other cannabis products securely stored.
This is especially important with edibles because some cannabis products can look very different from traditional cannabis flower.
If there are children in the home, cannabis should be stored somewhere they cannot access it.
Pay Attention to How Cannabis Makes You Feel
Cannabis isn't going to feel the same for everyone.
Some people enjoy THC regularly. Some prefer very small amounts. Some prefer CBD-dominant products. Some discover that they simply don't enjoy cannabis at all.
Your preferences can also change.
If cannabis consistently makes you anxious, uncomfortable or interferes with things you need or want to do, it's okay to use less, take a break or stop altogether.
Cannabis is supposed to be a choice, not an obligation.
New to Cannabis? Ask Questions
You don't have to walk into a weed store already knowing exactly what you want.
That's what budtenders are there for.
At Seattle Cannabis Co., tell us if you're new to cannabis. Seriously.
Let us know what you've tried before, what you're interested in, what you'd prefer to avoid and how much you want to spend. We can help you understand the different types of products on the menu without pretending there's one product that's perfect for everybody.
There are a lot more options today than simply choosing "weed."
And if you're just getting started, there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking it slow.
Start low, take your time and don't let anyone else decide how much cannabis is right for you.
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