It’s important to have some sort of clue about what direction to go in when heading into unfamiliar territory, whether it’s first-timers getting their kicks in a party with friends in Lagos or folks who haven’t had the opportunity to indulge in their favorite plant for quite a while. Regardless of weed being illegal in Nigeria, it’s clear that its popularity is rising, with it becoming a part of pop culture.
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 a drug with psychoactive effects. In particular, THC-rich varieties of cannabis can amplify negative emotions.
So we’ve decided to educate new and returning users about some basic ways to keep themselves from having an overwhelming and unpleasant first high. Whatever experience level is your starting point, it will be valuable to go forward into the relatively unknown equipped with a little knowledge.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis (also known as marijuana, weed, pot herb, ganja, reefer or chronic) is a drug that comes from a plant. It contains the chemicals THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which have short and long-term effects. People use cannabis for different reasons. It can also be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner as a medical treatment. Like with any other medication, if cannabis is prescribed to you, it’s important to take it as directed.
Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways and in a variety of forms:
● inhaled through smoke or vapor (often with almost immediate effect)
● taken through food (edibles), liquids or capsules (may take up to a few hours to take
effect)
Sativa Vs Indica Vs Hybrid
Sativa, indica, and hybrid are the three main types of cannabis strains, with hybrids resulting from cross-breeding sativa and indica plants. Sativa strains are known for their energizing and uplifting effects, often associated with increased creativity and focus, making them a good choice for daytime use. Indica strains, on the other hand, are known for their relaxing and sedating effects, often used for pain relief and promoting relaxation, making them suitable for nighttime use. Hybrids offer a balance of these effects, providing a more versatile option for consumers depending on the specific combination of sativa and indica genetics.
Potential Benefits of Cannabis
Cannabis is known for its various therapeutic, wellness, and recreational benefits. Some of the most common reasons people use cannabis include:
● Pain Relief: Helps with chronic pain, arthritis, and migraines.
● Anxiety and Stress Reduction: Certain strains can help ease anxiety and promote relaxation.
● Sleep Aid: Indica-dominant strains are often used for insomnia.
● Creativity Boost: Some Sativa strains enhance focus and creativity.
● Appetite Stimulation: Beneficial for those with medical conditions that cause appetite loss.
How to Smoke a Joint
A joint is basically 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:
- Break up the cannabis flower using a grinder or by hand.
- 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.
- Pick your preferred rolling paper material (rice paper, wheat straw paper, etc.) and sprinkle in the ground cannabis.
- Hold the paper with one hand and arrange the cannabis evenly in the center. This can be tricky the first few times, but start rolling it up, then twist and seal the joint.
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 refrain from using cannabis in this manner as it’s not the safest alternative.
How to Smoke a Bong
The most intricate of the three, 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 small, you can also find smaller water pipes called bubblers. Packing and smoking a bong involves the following steps:
- Fill the bong with clean water.
- Take some finely ground weed and pack the bowl tightly.
- Hold the bong and put your lips on the mouthpiece. Tilt your lighter and bring the flame to the bowl.
- Slowly inhale at the same time you’re lighting the bowl. Once you’re satisfied with the smoke produced, you can stop igniting it.
- Remove the bowl from its stem and breathe in the smoke inside the chamber.
- Hold for about three seconds and release. Replace the bowl in its stem and repeat until you reach the desired effects.
- Clean your bong thoroughly and swap it out with fresh water before each smoke session.
Getting High for the First Time
Do Some Research
Before smoking, ingesting or applying any sort of cannabis-infused goods, find out what type of experience to expect from each different product. Look into the characteristics and contrasts between sativa and indica strains. Read up on dabbing and wax and find out about how canna-oil and canna-butter work in the body. Being intellectually prepared will make a difference in how enjoyable the physical effects will be once they start to kick in. Remember: this is supposed to feel good.
Test the Waters
Because the hormonal and chemical makeup of every body is different, taking the time to really figure out what works and what doesn’t work will make a tremendous difference in how the whole experience goes. For some people, smoking produces a more enjoyable effect than eating edibles or vice versa. It’s a good idea to give any new marijuana experience a test run in private — kind of like trying out a test patch before dying hair — before going all the way in and possibly regretting it later in public.
Ask Questions
If it’s your first time, it’s always good to ask questions from more experienced smokers. There’s never any harm in asking questions to make sure there’s absolute clarity about what you’re about to get into. It’s important to double check about recommended dosage amounts when it comes to edibles and follow the advice.
Diversify
Smoking joints, blunts or out of a glass pipe are probably the most common ways of getting high, but they’re not the end-all and be-all of cannabis culture. There are a number of ways to enjoy cannabis that are becoming more popular and accessible. Vaporizing and dabbing are other ways to get a potent high thanks to a variety of discrete, portable devices.
Don’t Push the Limits
It’s important to be aware of what strains and how much cannabis allows for a content and satisfying experience. The golden rule here is to start small and be patient. If it’s been more than a decade since the last puff, don’t try to inhale an entire blunt on the first go-round. Just take a moment to think about the process going on in the body when cannabis is consumed. Trying to take a good buzz over the edge won’t heighten the experience, it’ll just require a lot of
snacks and a long, long nap. Keep it moderate and it won’t be hard to stay awake to actually enjoy the high.
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. Keep the mouthpiece clean of saliva and any accumulated ash.
Cannabis Laws in Africa Remain Divided as More Nations Embrace Medical Use
Legal for medical, industrial, or export purposes only
- Lesotho: First in Africa to legalize medical cannabis cultivation and export (2017).
- Zimbabwe: Medical cannabis legalized in 2018; recreational remains illegal. Licenses are available with high fees.
- Zambia: Since December 2019, cannabis is legal for export and medical use; recreational remains prohibited.
- Malawi: Recently authorized industrial, medical cultivation and export; recreational use still illegal.
- Morocco: Legalized cultivation for medical and industrial uses in 2021; recreational remains banned. King Mohammed VI pardoned nearly 5,000 farmers to promote legal switch.
- Ghana: Permits medical and industrial cannabis cultivation; recreational remains prohibited.
- Rwanda: Authorized medical cannabis use and export in 2021; recreational illegal.
- Uganda: Policies allow cannabis cultivation for export only; domestic use remains illegal.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Authorized industrial, medical, and scientific use since February 2021; recreational still banned.
Legal for recreational use (private, non‑commercial)
- South Africa: In May 2025, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act took effect, allowing adults to grow and possess cannabis in private. Public use and commercial sales remain illegal.
Illegal (medical and recreational)
Many African nations maintain strict prohibition, including Kenya, Cameroon, Botswana, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Senegal, and others.
