New User and WAY outta the loop

[SuburbanLifeMom]

Hi, just got my medical card for Marijuana use, BUT...I have smoked maybe 3 joints in my life and that was like 30 years ago! Ok, I know nothing, and that is WITH teenagers at home. For those of you who would be willing to offer up a bit of advise, I would appreciate it! I have been given a pipe, some pot, now what? I tell you, I have no clue, this stuff is expensive and I don't want to make mistakes. For instance, how do you roll a joint? What is the best way to use a pipe? How do you treat your pain, regulary or only when needed? How do I care for the pot? I mean, I know nothing, any help out there?

[Matt the Funk]

I'm going to help you out. With teenagers if they are mature and old enough you can tell them, otherwise just smoke when they are out, or search on what a doob tube is and how to smoke hiding from your parents. Put the weed in the pipe, just put a small piece of weed, and grind up a little and put that on top. Light, inhale, exhale, repeat as needed. If your pipe has a carb you should use it, by putting your finger over the hole while you inhale, until the last second to clear the chamber. You can google how to roll a joint. I treat my condition daily for one of them(insomnia), and as needed for other things. Don't really tell anyone about it, read these boards up some, and you should be fine with cannabis knowledge.

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Welcome to the boards SuberbanLifeMom! Here's a few pointers, hope they come in handy.

- I'd suggest storing your weed in a glass jar, as it keeps it fresh and keeps the smell in. Even in a plastic bag, some stinky weed can really smell up your house.

- Since you're not used to smoking, I'd actually suggest you get a water bong. It'll cool the smoke a good deal and remove some of the carcinogens created in the smoke.

But even better would be to buy a vaporizer. A vaporizer is a device that heats the weed enough that the chemicals therein go into the air in the form of a vapor for you to inhale, but it heats it below the point of combusion so no carcinogens or tar is created. Not to mention it's much easier to inhale. Keep in mind that not all vaporizers are created equal, you'll probably want to get a high-priced on if you can afford it. A "Volcano" is probably the best one on the market. And stay away from home-made "lightbulb vaporizers", they are horrible tasting and horrible on your lungs, not 1/10 as healthy as a genuine vap.


- Joint rolling can be difficult at first, but it just takes some practice. Get a friend, or maybe one of your kids, who knows what they're doing to teach you, though keep in mind everybody has their own method with little variations.

My suggestion: put the weed in the middle of your rolling paper, pinch the tops of the paper, and roll it back and forth till it starts to become a tube-like shape. Then get something narrow like an incense stick and push in one end and tie that end shut; that'll be the end you light. Your joints will look better with practice.
btw, you can also go to headshops and buy joint-rollers for about $10, so maybe go ask them about that.

- Since you're not used to it, pack your pipe and just take it one toke at a time. Let each one set in for about 20 seconds between hoots so you can get a feel for how much you need. Smoking too much when you have no tolerance can be very unpleasant, but the effects are pretty much immediate so you can titrate your dose one hoot at a time.

Also, I'm guessing they gave you a crappy metal pipe. Those things are harsh to smoke out of. If you do have a metal pipe, head over to a headshop (cannabis-shop) and buy yourself a nice glass pipe. They are SO much nicer!

As for how much, just toke as needed, whatever keeps your pain down and whatever dose you're comfortable with. Don't worry about overdosing from using it too often, nobody in the history of human-kind has overdosed from marijuana. It's toxicity is so low you'd literally have to smoke about 24 joints of potent bud all in one hoot (which is impossible of course). If you smoked joint after joint in sucession, it would take pounds upon pounds of weed to overdose. As far as drugs and overdose goes, it's one of the safest substances on Earth.

Good luck!

[FakeBoobsRule]

SLM, welcome back to marijuana. If you haven't smoked in 30 years, you can probably hold off on the joints for now especially if you already have a bowl. When you are ready for joint rolling, you can use google for some advice like Matt said or use the search feature on this website to find threads on how to roll a joint.

How much pot you need to smoke depends on how good the pot is. Luckily, you really can't mess this up if you have a bowl. Break up a small amount of pot, probably less than a gram, and pack some in the bowl. Take a hit or two and then wait a few minutes for the effects to hit you. If you aren't getting the effect you want, smoke a couple more hits, then wait. You probably should start by treating your pain "as needed" then when you get used to the effects of the pot and how long it treats your pain, you will learn to time your smoking better because for many it the pot will work better if you smoke before the pain surfaces than smoking after the pain surfaces.

[SuburbanLifeMom]

Aw, thanks for being kind to me!!! I feel so lost, everyone has been super nice, but they kinda, well not kinda, they do leave you all alone in this. Not like a written prescription with all the dosage and times. The caregiver group I used did give me a glass pipe. I seeking pain relief from stinking screws in my spine and degenerating hips. Tired of hearing what I am doing to my body being a user of presciption narcotics, I am giving this a shot, all the while feeling like a total hypocrite having teenagers in the house. They are my biggest supporters though. I just really appreciate any tips or uses that people have found to fight their pain. I am also curious what strains everyone uses, and what they have found to helpthemselves with.

[Bluntmasterbabe]

Welcome...you're gonna love the stuff:hippy:

So, you've never gotten high? Let us know how it is once you smoke.

[SuburbanLifeMom]

Oh, now I REALLY feel lost...Yes, I have gotten high, but litterally forever ago! I actually did get the nerve to try it. I am leaning on the side of caution in the begining, so I really didn't have much, maybe 3 half-a$$ed attempts/hits from the pipe. I feel lightheaded, but it's fine, nothing the narcotics haven't done in the past. Pain is different, but not gone, altho my back is feeling pretty good right about now! Oh, and again, thanks!

[Tree_Burner]

Buy your self a grinder, and a box of Peach Optimos. head to the club, pick up some O.G. Kush. Grind up about .8 of a gram, open up that peach optimo dump out all the tobacco dump in the herb, roll it up, put on some music (something funky) light inhale, exhale ,enjoy and chill.
If you're a liberal ass mom, like many I know, then i suggest inviting the kiddies in for a session, they probably know what's up.

haha!

[Tea Party]

Oh, now I REALLY feel lost...Yes, I have gotten high, but litterally forever ago! I actually did get the nerve to try it. I am leaning on the side of caution in the begining, so I really didn't have much, maybe 3 half-a$$ed attempts/hits from the pipe. I feel lightheaded, but it's fine, nothing the narcotics haven't done in the past. Pain is different, but not gone, altho my back is feeling pretty good right about now! Oh, and again, thanks!
The best part is you cannot overdose or get the shaky-jakes when you run out, as is the case with alcohol, tobacco, and the narcos you mentioned!...break free of your pain. There is nothing to fear. Before you know it you will be rolling joints with one hand while baking a cake with the other...:jointsmile:

[marijuana bird]

well with ur pipe if its a 1 hitter i'd suggest getting a small tray take sum weed and grind it up fine and take ur 1 hitter and just push the bowl end down on the weed so u get ur bowl nice and packed good and just light up :thumbsup:

[king of the world]

dont be scared and take some big hits you'll really feel it:jointsmile::thumbsup:

[MaryjaneAndHashley]

welcome to the wonderful world of Mary Jane..

when you get the hang of the bowl you might get tired of it..so if you ever start rolling joints, no need to use .8 or something like that. Thats wayyy too much if youre starting out and got medicals. Ive been tokin daily for like more than 6 months and when i smoke alone i smoke goddamned pinners. I mean, i dont need more than a .3 joint to myself to be blown.

I find jays to be more handy (not the rolling part, of course) compared to a bowl. its just a pissoff to have to reload the bowl all the time, plus its harsher on the throat. I mean most of the time i dont wanna get blazed out of my mind with killer hits, just chill..relax and spark a nice jay with a friend.

and i just smoked one and this took me forever to type, couldnt get my ideas together and transfer em in words. rofl.

[CheeseOnToast]

My advice would be to take it easy, and use whichever method works best for you. As you build up tollerance you will need to smoke more to get the same effect. Just dont start off by hitting a GB and then salvia like i did :s.

[napolitana869]

I'd get a grinder to make packing easier. If you find that cannabis helps and its something you want to stick with I'd get a vaporizer. I got one recently and I really like it.

[Matt the Funk]

Yeah I forgot to mention in my post(not sure why) that you should get a vaporizer. OR did I forget...After a while when you feel more comfortable smoking, if you have friends bring up the issue of MMJ and see what they think, or if you have kids (who are old enough).

[13thirteen]

I know from being on narcotic painkillers for roughly 16 years for a medical condition that your tolerance might not be as low as you think. I am off the pills for a few years and my tolerence is still very high. Still take it easy in the beginning but don't be surprised if it is not that low. I would however get a vaporizer if you have the money, it is a great way to smoke.

[Storm Crow]

Granny here- MMJ user of some 40 years now. Welcome to our jolly group. Since you are a MMJ user may I suggest that you look in at these MEDICAL sites? C.c is a wonderful site (I post here more than anywhere), but as medical users, we need a slightly more focused approach. TY is pretty straight forward in it's approach, but has nice folks and contests. Canna Cabana is tropical island themed but is still addressing medical issues.

Treating Yourself
TreatingYourself.COM Online Community - Powered by vBulletin (http://www.treatingyourself.com/vbulletin/index.php?)

Canna Cabana
The Canna Cabana Forums (http://www.thecannacabana.com/forums/search.php?searchid=137140)

And yes, get a vaporizer. They smell a lot less than a joint or pipe. The pot is not destroyed when you vape and the "left-overs" can be used in cooking to give you a nice high. You need less- most folks say they need about 1/3 less when vaping compared to smoking! You don't get the morning cough when you vape! Believe me- after 40 years of toking, my lungs were a mess! Two weeks of vaping and they were clear! You don't get the carbon monoxide and dioxide or smoke particles in your lungs when you vape. The high is "clearer", because of the lack of CO2. The Vapor Brother's type is good. About $150 including S&H, small, quiet and simple to use. They are worth it!

As a legal user, you can grow in Cali. There are tons of threads on that, so I won't go into it. But growing is practical- paying the price of gold for dried flowers in insane!

Take a peek at my list of medical studies- it's stickied at the top of the medical forum. Cannabis is a truly amazing plant! Wander around the forums and you'll pick up what info you need in no time!

I'm always hanging around the forum, so if you need to talk about things or have problems, give me a yell! - Granny:hippy:

[SuburbanLifeMom]

Thanks so much for the advise, it will go to good use. I am finding mixed areas of pain relief and some just stays the same. Maybe I either need more or I need more time. I hear story after story of immediate releif, but not for me, it takes time to kick in, which is fine. I do intend to try my hand at growing. I guess I need to poke around here for the best way to get started with that. I appreciate very much that I live in a state where medical use is permitted, altho it does concern me the amount of apparent misuse of it, but everyone has a right to do what they feel is right. I just hope it remains a good example for other states yet to approve laws of their own.

[ScaryMissMary]

Granny, you're so nice. :) Sorry I just had to say that, you're always so helpful in your posts.

WELCOME SuburbanLifeMom!

Mary Jane is truly a wonderful thing. Definately invest in a glass bowl, they have such smooth hits and they come in such beautiful designs. Long slow tokes are they way to go.

[slipknotpsycho]

if you plan to roll, considering you've only smoked 3 joints in your life i highly suggest getting a roller like this:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/pipes-cigars-tobacco_1956_5889128

can usually find 'em in all tobacco OR head shops for a couple of bucks... easy to use too...

[qdavid]

Welcome. Listen to Granny. She's righteous. Read about vaping. I grew some Blueberry. Vaping it is great but the smoke is why it is so great. One joint is more than plenty, very smooth and tasty . There exists a thread about what strains are best for certain ailments. If I find it, I'll attach the link. Again, a warm welcome. You're among similar thinking friends.

[qdavid]

Here it is: http://boards.cannabis.com/strains-seeds/102691-specific-med-strains-specific-uses-nice-list.html

[SuburbanLifeMom]

Thanks for the list, very interesting! I'm dealing with Arthritis, still working on giving this a shot. I have severe bursitis in my hips and the using of marijuana doesn't touch that, I am still relying on narcs when that gets bad, it's all a learning experience and I do so appreciate all the advise!

[Penngrove]

If you are suffering from a form of auto immune arthritis, and your using an immune system modifier, you might find cannabis to be very helpful. I am in a study at a med school and they have found that CBC and CBD help with the uptake of Enbrel. A university can pull that stuff out of the plant, as a normal user, you got to try and find the right strain. But the good news is that our results are causing arguments because the numbers are showing that it works. Drop your sed rate from 100 to 30 and the world is a whole new place.
As far as your teenagers, just sit down and discuss it. My boys are very understanding and they have no problem with it. Even my cop brother in law says it is better to have quality of life. Everyone here supports you, they helped me through the same situation.
Just watch out for the "experts". One nice young lady told me to try "cheese". Anybody who has tried cheese can guess what happened. Intense is a good word. But if you read several threads and see what the veteran's here have done, you can get a sense of what will work and what wont.
This board is really great for us newbies and I for one appreciate suggestions and ideas from people that know what they are doing.

Good luck and I hope it works. I have not had to use narcotics and I am very happy. This wonderful drug is darn close to aspirin. Takes care of a whole range of problems. And I have a bunch of doctors that support it and endorse it!

[ocbornandrazd]

U sound like u have similar problems as I.So you just smoke alone? What brought you around to this herbal way of thinking? Is it working for ur problems? The hip thing can just get out of control and it's a matter of if u want to tough it out or smoke to sleep.They ,the docs,want me to eat those Soma,yuk,ony when it gets out of control.ALthough some may construe that as self medicating,I just don't like feeling straight out of my mind.Out of control and just stupid.

[SuburbanLifeMom]

Yes, I am alone in this venture! Basically, what brought me around to finally deciding to try this option was the general lack of concern in my medical group concerning my level of comfort. My surgeon actually REDUCED the quantity of pain meds he gave me when I asked for a higher quantity to match the increased level of pain. My surgeon is only in 2 days a week, every week and try to time a prescription refill around that schedule! I was left rationing them out to myself so badly one week, that it was useless. Now, my surgeon is off on vacation for a month, and he won't give refills with a prescription, I had to hit the road and take care of it myself. My primary gave me enough to ration out until he gets back, but no where near enough to even take them all day when the pain is bad. Enter medical marijuana. Over the years with a total knee replacement and a spinal fusion behind me, I have learned to deal with pain, and my tolerance is high. I am finding that I can go all day without the narcotics, even the pain that isn't controled is more tolerable with the other pain in check. So I am looking hopefull for the medical marijuana use, the only thing that is the sticking point is the cost. My insurance covered mostly all my meds, so this is hurting a bit!