Quick answer
To inhale cannabis from a joint, put the mouthpiece end between your lips. Draw smoke into your mouth for about 2 seconds. Remove the joint. Open your mouth and inhale air. Pull the smoke into your lungs. Hold for 1 to 2 seconds. Exhale. Take 1 or 2 puffs. Wait 10 minutes. Then decide if you want more.
Steps
- Hold the joint at the crutch or paper tip. Point the lit end away from your face.
- Light the tip. Pull a small puff to start the burn. The tip should glow orange.
- Place the mouthpiece end between your lips. Do not block the airflow with your teeth.
- Draw smoke into your mouth. Use a low draw rate. A hard pull makes the smoke hot.
- Remove the joint from your mouth. Keep your lips closed.
- Inhale air through your mouth. This moves the smoke from your mouth to your lungs.
- Hold for 1 to 2 seconds. Longer holds do not add much THC. They add tar exposure.
- Exhale. Breathe out through your mouth. If you cough, stop. Drink water.
Mouth pull vs lung pull
A joint delivers smoke at a high temperature. A mouth pull lets the smoke cool before it reaches your lungs. A direct lung pull sends hot smoke to the throat. Beginners should use a mouth pull. Take 1 puff. Wait 10 minutes. THC effects start in seconds to minutes. Peak effects occur at 15 to 30 minutes. The full effect can last 1 to 3 hours.
Common mistakes
- Pulling hard. This makes smoke hot and can cause a cough.
- Holding smoke for 10 seconds. This does not raise THC blood levels. It raises tar exposure.
- Using a joint with a torn paper. Air leaks and the burn runs.
- Sharing a joint during a respiratory illness. Saliva can transfer germs.
- Taking many puffs in a row. Start with 1 or 2 puffs.
Safety and legal notes
Smoked cannabis irritates the lungs. Smoke contains tar, carbon monoxide, and other chemicals. Cannabis smoke can harm lung tissue. Do not drive after use. In US states with legal adult use, the minimum age is 21. State law varies. Buy from a licensed dispensary. A licensed store tests products for potency and contaminants. Check the package for THC percentage and batch date. Store the joint in a sealed tube. Keep it away from children and pets.
What to expect
Effects include relaxation, altered senses, and changes in mood. Some people feel anxious or paranoid. These effects are more common with high-THC products. A joint can contain 0.5 grams to 1 gram of flower. A 1-gram joint at 20% THC contains about 200 mg THC. Smoke delivers a fraction of that dose. Start with a small puff. Wait. Then adjust.