There are all sorts of reasons that people try cannabis for the first time. Plenty are suffering from severe diseases that are easier to manage thanks to compounds found only in cannabis; many are looking for minor health benefits, like better skin or easier digestion; and some are just curious about the famous cannabis high. Regardless, changing cannabis laws, including Arizona medical cannabis laws, are giving legal, safe access to weed to more people than ever before, which means there are legions of beginners looking to try pot for the first time.

Cannabis is one of the safest drugs, arguably even safer than alcohol. Still, most beginners need to ease into cannabis consumption with strains that have lower cannabinoid content. Beginner-friendly strains are more likely to generate an enjoyable high in users with low tolerance; going too hard too fast is likely to result in an overdose which, though not fatal, is exceedingly uncomfortable. Edibles are perfect for those wanting to try CBD-based products, and purchasing wholesale gummies cbn may be the ideal way to get what you are looking for at a great price.

Newbies can walk into any Detroit dispensary and ask a budtender for help finding a strain suitable for beginners, but those who are ordering online or want more independence can use these tips for identifying beginner-friendly strains:

Look at the Chemotype

Though most dispensaries still use the terms “Indica” and “Sativa,” the truth is that these terms don’t mean all that much to cannabis consumers. Research on cannabinoid content, terpene profiles, and user-reported effects of Indica and Sativa strains have found essentially no difference between the two.

As a result, many dispensaries are moving toward describing strains using “chemotypes,” instead. Unlike Indica and Sativa, which rely on rather nebulous descriptions of supposed effects, chemotypes are defined by their cannabinoid content. Most dispensaries use a system of three chemotypes: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced.

Beginners would do well to choose strains with chemotypes in the CBD-dominant and balanced categories, as these are likely to be less intoxicating than THC-dominant strains. Typically, newbies do not have a strong THC tolerance, and taking in too much THC at once can result in a bad cannabis experience — intense nausea, panic, low blood pressure, fast heart rate. In general, CBD-dominant and balanced chemotypes contain lower amounts of THC, so they can be useful shortcuts for beginners looking for the right starting strain.

Think About Potency

A chemotype will only tell a consumer general information about cannabinoids within a strain. In addition to chemotype, beginners should pay attention to a strain’s potency, especially its overall THC content. For example, a balanced chemotype tells you that there is at least an equitable amount of THC and CBD, but if that amount is 20 percent or more, that strain is remarkably intoxicating and no suitable for beginners. Newbies should look for THC potency of less than 20 percent, ideally around 10 percent, for a safe and fun experience.

Consider the Terpenes

Terpenes are compounds found in a variety of plants that are responsible for unique aromas. For instance, the distinctive fragrances of pine, citrus, and lavender are all the result of different terpenes. Cannabis plants can produce upwards of 400 terpenes, and different strains have different terpene profiles, resulting in distinguishing smells.

Research indicates that different terpenes can have different physiological effects on users. Though these effects can be subtle, it is important for beginners to pay attention to the terpenes in the strains they most enjoy. Then, they are more likely to find positive effects from any future strains they try.

Find the Following Strains

The above advice is helpful when looking for unique or local strains that are appropriate for beginners, but newbies who want a quick and easy answer to “Which strain should I buy?” would do well to ask a budtender for any of the following strains:

Harlequin. Harlequin is a CBD-dominant strain with a THC content of around 5 percent. Often used to help medical marijuana patients manage pain and nausea, this strain offers gentle psychotropic effects.

Pennywise. Pennywise is a balanced strain with both THC and CBD content around 12 percent. Because this 1:1 ratio is so rare, it is easy to find tinctures, capsules, edibles and other cannabis products using Pennywise.