How to smoke weed: A beginner’s guide

If you’re just getting started with smoking weed, a few expert tips can help set you up for an enjoyable experience.

Learn starter steps on how to smoke marijuana through a joint, pipe, and bong — plus gain knowledge about weed etiquette and healthier alternatives to smoking.

Preparing to smoke

Before you smoke marijuana, check your mindset and mood.

If you’re feeling good mentally and physically and are in a safe space, you’ve laid the foundation for a positive experience.

If you feel sad, nervous, or scared, it may not be the best time to use cannabis, which has potential psychoactive effects. In particular, varieties of cannabis rich in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may amplify negative emotions.

Before you smoke weed, it’s a good idea to note the chemical components that make up the particular plant, including the cannabinoids and terpenes. These are naturally occurring chemicals that create cannabis’s effects.

For example, strains high in the terpene myrcene — the most abundant terpene in cannabis plants — may help with pain relief.

What you’ll need

Supplies will vary depending on your smoking method of choice, but here are some of the most common types of cannabis equipment:

• Herb grinder
• Flower
• Rolling papers or pre-rolled joints
• Lighter or matches
• Bong
• Clean water

Next, let’s look at the different methods for smoking cannabis and break them down to the basics.

How to smoke a joint

A joint is like a cannabis cigarette. It’s rolled in the same type of paper as cigarettes, but contains no addictive nicotine.

You can buy pre-rolled joints or try rolling one at home yourself. Rolling and smoking a joint involves the following steps:

1. Break up the cannabis flower using a grinder or by hand.
2. Take a small piece of stiff paper and roll it tightly to create a filter. This step isn’t necessary, but it prevents the joint from clogging.
3. Pick your preferred rolling paper material (rice paper, wheat straw paper, etc.), place the filter at one end, and sprinkle the ground cannabis on top of the paper.
4. Hold the paper with one hand and arrange the cannabis in an even line that runs down the center of the paper. Leave a bit of empty space at the end without the filter.
5. Using both hands, roll the paper around the ground cannabis to form a cylinder. (This step can be tricky the first few times you try it!)
6. To seal the joint, use your fingers to twist the paper at the end without the filter.

Now you’re ready to smoke. Light the joint at the non-filter end and slowly inhale a puff. Hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly. Take a quick break after the first inhale to see how the weed is affecting you so far.

How to smoke a blunt

A blunt is similar to a joint, except it’s rolled with cigar papers.

To roll and smoke a blunt, follow the same steps for a joint. Keep in mind that blunt wraps and cigar papers are often made of tobacco leaves containing nicotine and other harmful chemicals.

It’s wise to limit smoking cannabis in this manner, as it’s not the safest option.

How to smoke a pipe

Smoking cannabis in a pipe is one of the most accessible methods. A pipe is a handheld smoking device with a bowl-shaped end where the cannabis gets packed.

Pipes are often made from glass and come in various designs.

Here’s how to pack and smoke a pipe:

1. Grind the cannabis into small bits with a grinder, or break it up with your fingers.
2. Fill the pipe bowl with the ground cannabis flower.
3. Use a lighter or hemp wick to light the flower in the bowl.
4. Place your lips around the pipe mouthpiece and inhale slowly.
5. Release the cannabis smoke. Wait for a few minutes to assess how you feel before smoking more.

How to smoke a bong

A bong is a smoking filtration device. It has a removable bowl that connects to a long, tube-shaped smoke chamber usually made of glass.

Bongs come in all shapes and sizes but are much larger than pipes. If you want to start smaller, you can also purchase smaller water pipes called bubblers.

Packing and smoking a bong involves the following steps:

1. Fill the bong with clean water.
2. Grind your cannabis flower and pack it into the bowl tightly.
3. Hold the bong and put your lips on the mouthpiece. Get your lighter ready next to the bowl.
4. Light the cannabis flower in the bowl and slowly inhale at the same time. Once you’re satisfied with the smoke produced inside the bong, you can stop igniting the flower.
5. Remove the bowl from its stem and breathe in the smoke inside the chamber.
6. Hold the smoke inside your lungs for about 3 seconds and release. Replace the bowl in its stem and repeat until you reach the desired effects.
7. Clean your bong thoroughly and swap it out with fresh water before each smoke session.

Cannabis etiquette

Smoking weed has a long history in social settings. For some people, this aspect of the experience is just as important as smoking itself.

The rules of weed etiquette are pretty simple. For example, don’t share a joint with others when you’re sick and don’t pressure anyone to partake if they don’t feel comfortable.

If you rolled the joint, marijuana etiquette suggests you also be the one who lights it. Take a puff or two, then pass the joint to your left. The following person then puffs and passes, continuing in a clockwise direction. When it’s your turn, refrain from blowing smoke in anyone’s face.

If using a pipe or bong, keep the mouthpiece clean of saliva and any accumulated ash.

Remember that there are no hard and fast rules for smoking; weed etiquette is not always followed and may differ between countries.

How to smoke weed properly

One of the downsides of smoking cannabis is coughing. People who are new to smoking weed may be surprised by how much they cough, but there are some simple steps you can take to avoid this unwanted effect:

• Inhale slowly and take smaller inhales.
• Exhale slowly and wait a minute before taking another inhale. Breathe in deeply and give your lungs time to recover.
• Stay hydrated throughout the smoking experience and drink water between inhales.

If your weed cough persists after the smoke session, try throat lozenges or drinking hot herbal tea. Speak with a doctor if your cough lasts longer than a day or two.

Alternatives to smoking cannabis

Some people should avoid smoking cannabis altogether due to respiratory conditions like asthma or lung disease.

There are lots of ways to experience cannabis that don’t involve inhaling any smoke. Here are some other common consumption methods:

Edibles

Cannabis edibles are highly potent and generally not recommended for beginners. If you are venturing into edible territory, start with a small portion size. If you’re not feeling the effects, wait at least 2 hours before taking more, as it’s easy to overdo it with edibles.

Cannabis is commonly used in sweet treats like brownies, cookies, and candy.

Sublinguals

Sublingual tinctures are liquid forms of cannabis that come in small glass bottles with a dropper cap. To use them, squeeze one or two drops under your tongue. Wait until you feel the effects before using any more.

Topicals

Creams, oils, and bath products have become popular among cannabidiol (CBD) users and people who don’t want to consume cannabis. For example, topical cooling and heating gels are especially beneficial for people managing muscle and joint pain.