Written by Joshua Sosin

If you're new to cannabis flower, you probably have a lot of questions about how to use it. Your first time smoking weed is a big deal, and being prepared for it will make the experience even more rewarding.

Here's everything you need to know before smoking weed for the first time.

Table of Contents

• What Is THCa Flower?

• How To Choose the Right Weed Strain

• How To Roll Your First Joint

  • A Quick Tutorial

  • How To Roll a Joint (Video)

• Another Option: Pre-Rolled Joints

• Should I Smoke Weed or Use Gummies?

• Smoking Weed for the First Time With Mood

The Most Important Question for a New Weed User: What Is THCa Flower?

If you're getting into smoking weed in 2025, you're probably seeing a lot of information about THCa. What is THCa, though, and how is it different from THC?

THCa is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It's the genetic precursor to THC, and it's found in all cannabis strains. When smoking weed, THCa produces potent effects after being exposed to heat.

All that first-timers need to know about THCa flower in the Mood Shop is that it will get you high and that it's legal in accordance with the Farm Bill. Under this bill, THCa flower is classified as hemp as long as it contains no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

All of the THCa flower that we sell meets the Farm Bill's standards for hemp and can ship to many parts of the US. Just remember that this weed will produce psychoactive effects, just like other cannabis flower.

How To Choose the Right Weed Strain

Now that you know a bit about THCa flower, let's talk about choosing a strain.

Trying different cannabis strains is one of the most fun parts of using weed. Indica strains, Sativa strains, and hybrid strains all have unique effects and benefits, and there's no objective "best strain" out there. That's why we recommend that new users explore a few different options to see what suits them best.

We offer everything you need for your first cannabis experience in the Mood Shop. Our focus is on Sativa and Indica hybrids, which are lovingly grown to produce specific moods. For folks who are just getting started with weed, we recommend a medium-potency strain like Runtz, a 50/50 hybrid strain with around 20.22% THC content.

When consuming cannabis for the first time, a little bit of flower goes a long way. You might be tempted to load up a joint and take multiple hits in a short amount of time, but that's a recipe for greening out and feeling overwhelmed.

Instead, most people will be better off with a joint that contains around one gram of ground cannabis flower. One toke from this type of joint (or a small pipe) will get you a great first high and introduce you to the powerful effects of weed.

Takeaway: If you're new to weed, start with a medium-potency strain and use only a little. We'll teach you how to roll your first joint below.

How To Roll a Joint for the First Time

If you've never rolled a joint before, you're in for a treat.

This is the classic method of smoking weed, and it's also arguably the simplest. All you need is flower, a grinder, rolling papers, a food scale, and a lighter.

If you need tips and recommendations for buying joint-rolling supplies, you've come to the right place. The Mood Blog features detailed guides on the best weed grinders, best rolling papers, and more.

Joint-Rolling: A Quick Tutorial

Once you've picked out your first cannabis strain and have the necessary supplies, it's time to roll up.

Weigh out one gram of cannabis using your food scale and place it in your grinder. Grind the cannabis until it's relatively coarse, then collect the ground flower and get it ready to roll.

Check out the video below for a quick and simple tutorial on rolling a joint:

Another Option: Pre-Rolled Joints

If you're not interested in rolling your own joints for smoking sessions, pre-rolls might be the perfect alternative for you.

The pre-rolls in the Mood Shop are carefully rolled with one gram of cannabis, the perfect amount for beginners and seasoned stoners alike. If you're trying weed for the first time, they also give you a convenient way to explore different strains without committing to a big order of one.

We recommend pre-rolls if you feel anxious about trying to roll your own joints (or you've tried and failed before). It's smart to learn how to roll your own at some point, but pre-rolls can do the trick.

If you want to try a soothing strain for your first time smoking weed, go for our Top Gun pre-roll. It's a sleepy Indica hybrid that can help you wind down at night.

Should I Smoke Weed or Use Gummies?

You might be wondering whether flower or gummies is a better option if you're using cannabis for the first time. Both will give you an amazing cannabis experience, but the overall feel of edibles vs. gummies is very different.

Smoking flower involves inhaling smoke (no need to explain why), and that makes it a less-than-ideal consumption method for some folks. This is one reason why edibles provide a more positive experience for some people, especially newcomers to cannabis who don't want to inhale.

What's more, gummies and flower produce effects in different ways. In general, you have to wait longer to experience the effects of gummies, but they can sometimes produce stronger effects that last for hours. The effects of flower set in faster, but they fade faster as well.

If you're not sure whether hitting a bong or eating a gummy is the right choice for you, we recommend trying both a few times and seeing how you feel. Keep in mind, too, that there are other main categories of cannabis products to check out, including vapes, concentrates, and edibles like baked goods.

Using Cannabis for the First Time With Mood

If you're just getting started with smoking weed, Mood has you covered.

The Mood Shop features USA-grown flower, premium edibles, and more, all delivered straight to your door. We always strive to create a comfortable space for beginners and are here to help out and answer any questions you might have about our cannabis products.

If you've placed an order and need support, chat with our team. They're available 24/7.