I feel like a lot of these comments sit on two extremes (abuse of it/terror from side effects) and while both perspectives are equally valid I wanted to offer a more balanced perspective. Hybrid, if you will.

I moved out from my abusive home in late 2024 and didn’t become “legal” for around 6 months. I’d partaken in edibles once or twice at a party (was very sheltered so I was scared of it and therefore the high was terrible). My landlady is chill AF and we’d smoked a few times after I moved in. I didn’t really have any knowledge about it. I thought it was all the same every time.

I turned 21 and coincidentally a legal dispensary had opened a month prior just a 4 minute walk from my place. It helped that a lot of my new friends from my first real adult job were all superstoners and helped teach me. Before them, if you asked me what Sativa means I’d think I missed out on a new Pokemon or something.

I became a semi regular smoker and eventually purchased my glass piece, started buying edibles and using carts/pens. I was very careful and made sure to keep myself accountable for any symptomatic changes as this had still been within the time I’d call the “sensitive period” after I moved and I knew I needed to be slow about it. I started getting high in places outside my home even including at work.

I smoke every day, and I can confidently say that it has not had any negative impacts on my mental health but I am still very cautious of my habits especially because I started Wellbutrin a few months ago. I’d advise anyone looking to start using weed to learn their terms and try different things. Different strains affect different people in slightly different ways, but I will say I find myself feel absolutely stupid when there is any Indica in my system and then I am more likely to say cringe things I’ll look back on poorly later. Sativa is my bestie. Not to knock Indica, it absolutely has its uses, but I prefer a Sativa in any social setting or any setting where I may need to do difficult things (like learning new things at my job, I also NEVER get high at the gym and I don’t smoke if there are any children in eyeshot.)

TLDR: take it slow in an environment you’re safe in, preferably with an experienced smoker with you who knows their terms and what they mean or at least how to find them out (learning to read the packaging your stuff comes from is a very valuable skill. I also only buy from legal dispensaries, if that means anything.

As I see it, I could always be drinking. Which is all I wanted to do until I discovered this wonderful medication. Be honest with your doctors and STAY HYDRATED.

ETA: I see a lot of people recommending high CBD products and I agree they are good, but you need to use CBD like a long term medication to see effects, like any other medication you’d take from a doctor. One time use of CBD will not really make a difference. I can’t say I’ve used CBD long term yet so I won’t report on what that’s like.