Best Cannabis Strains for Beginners

Quick Summary: The best cannabis strains for beginners have under 20% THC and a meaningful percentage of CBD, which makes for a balanced, manageable experience. Top beginner picks at Verdes include Ringo’s Gift, Royal Highness, and Charlotte’s Web. New consumers should start with 2–5 mg of THC and wait at least 2 hours before having more of an edible. If you’d rather not smoke, low-dose edibles, tinctures, and THC drinks are good alternatives.

Where Should Cannabis Beginners Start?

Are you new to cannabis and curious about where to start? Verdes is here to help. New cannabis consumers often find the number of choices at a dispensary overwhelming. Certain strains are better suited for beginners than others; namely, those that have a low THC potency and a meaningful percentage of CBD.

We created this blog to help you identify the best strain for beginners, and where to start with Verdes’ many options.

Key Takeaways 

  • CBD helps balance the effects of THC, so CBD-rich and 1:1 strains tend to feel gentler than high-THC options.
  • A hybrid strain is a good starting point. Choose indica-leaning for relaxing at night or sativa-leaning for daytime energy.
  • Edibles can take up to 2 hours to kick in and often last 6–10 hours or more, so be patient before taking more.
  • Keep notes on how different strains and products make you feel, so you can find what works for you.
  • Verdes team members at all eight Albuquerque and Santa Fe locations can help new consumers explore their options with confidence.

 

The 5 Best Cannabis Strains for Beginners in New Mexico 

At Verdes, we know that the best cannabis experiences are not made from chasing the highest THC potency; they’re created by finding the right strain for your needs.

The best cannabis strains for beginners have a low to moderate THC level to create an experience you can feel without being overwhelmed. Finding a strain with a meaningful percentage of CBD can help create a more balanced experience. Aim to stay below 20% THC to avoid highly potent strains.

When you’re trying a new strain, start low and go slow; give yourself enough time to feel its effects before consuming more. Here are some of our favorite strains for beginners:

  • Ringo’s Gift 

This strain is known for its high percentage of CBD and low amounts of THC, making it the perfect place for beginners to start exploring. The experience will likely feel quite light, with an easygoing high.

  • Royal Highness

This balanced strain often tests with about a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD. Many people like this ratio because it often creates a gentle but noticeable experience, relieving stress and tension and elevating the mood.

  • Cream & Cheese

This 1:1 THC/CBD strain smells oddly like sweet, creamy cheese with pungent, earthy, skunky notes. Consumers love this strain for its calming yet clear-minded effects.

  • Charlotte’s Web

This strain made national headlines for its CBD dominance; it also contains a small amount of THC. Charlotte’s Web is a great strain for reducing anxiety, uplifting mood, and mixing with higher-THC strains.

  • Dance World

A balance of THC and CBD creates a calming experience that many people say helps them focus, improves their mood, and makes them feel more social.

Browse all Verdes Cannabis flower products and order online 7 days a week.

How Much THC Should a Beginner Start With?

Whether you’re inhaling cannabis flower or using a vape, it’s always best to start low and go slow. Begin with 1–3 small inhales, then wait 10–15 minutes to see how you feel before taking more. Remember, you can always take another inhale if needed, but starting slowly helps you find the amount that works best for you.

New edibles consumers should start low and go slow, aiming for 2–5 mg of THC at a time. Give yourself at least 2–4 hours to feel the effects before deciding to have more. Everyone’s tolerance is different, so your ideal dose depends on body chemistry and experience.

Low-dose edibles and tinctures make it easy to measure small amounts, and you can always increase gradually once you know how THC affects you.

Should Beginners Choose Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid?

A hybrid strain is often the best choice for beginners, but it depends on your goal. If you’re looking for a strain to help you unwind and relax at the end of a long day, an indica-leaning hybrid is a good choice. If you’re looking for something that can pick you up during the day, try a sativa-leaning hybrid.

Make a note of how you feel after trying different kinds of cannabis, and keep a list of what you enjoy.

What Are the Best Cannabis Products for Beginners Who Don’t Smoke?

Low-dose edibles, tinctures, THC drinks, and topicals are the best options for beginners who don’t want to smoke. Each lets you control your dose without inhaling anything.

Low-Dose Edibles 

A low-dose edible is a great place to start exploring cannabis. If you’re new to edibles, we recommend starting with a low dose of 2.5 mg of THC. Some edibles can be cut into smaller portions to help you find a comfortable starting dose. However, keep in mind that cutting an edible into more than two pieces can make accurate dosing difficult, as the THC may not be evenly distributed between portions.

Remember, edibles take much longer to kick in than inhaled cannabis, so start low, go slow, and wait at least 2–4 hours before considering more.

Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Camino Wild Cherry 1:1:1 with 5 mg each of THC, CBD, and CBG 
  • First Crop 2:1 Calm Gummies with CBD and THC
  • Joy Bombs with 2.5 mg of THC per piece

Browse all Verdes Cannabis edibles.

Balanced Tinctures 

A tincture is a great way to explore a precisely measured dose of cannabis and add other cannabinoids besides THC to your routine. Options at Verdes include:

  • Verdes THC-A Tincture (non-intoxicating) 
  • Verdes Balance Tincture with CBD and THC 
  • Verdes Tincture with 2:1 THC and CBN

Browse all Verdes Cannabis tinctures.

THC Drinks 

THC drinks offer an easy, refreshing way to enjoy cannabis. Crack one open after a long day of work, or any time you want to unwind. Our house-made THC-infused beverages include:

  • Verdes 1:1 Margaweeda with THC and CBG
  • Verdes 1:1 Iced Tea/Lemonade with THC and CBD 
  • Verdes 3:1 Raspberry Passion Tea with THC and CBD

Browse all Verdes Cannabis THC drinks.

Soothing Topicals 

If you have localized pain, or want to benefit from the plant without feeling any psychoactivity, cannabis topicals are a great option. Verdes has a wide range of topicals to explore, including:

  • Verdes Extra Strength 1:1:1 Salve with THC, CBD, and CBN
  • Verdes Extra Strength 1:1:1 Sensitive Salve with THC, CBD, and CBN
  • Verdes Soaking Salts

Browse all Verdes Cannabis topicals.

 

FAQs

What is the best cannabis strain for a beginner?

Look for a strain with a meaningful amount of CBD and under 20% THC. Many cannabis strains are highly potent, which can be overwhelming for new consumers. Always start low and go slow when trying a new cannabis strain.

Is 10 mg of THC good for beginners? 

10 mg of THC may be a large dose for new cannabis consumers, but it depends on several factors, including your physiology. Beginners should aim for 2–5 mg of THC to start with to get an understanding of how it makes you feel, and scale up from there if you like it.

How long does it take an edible to kick in?

Most edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours or more to kick in, and the effects usually peak 2 to 6 hours after eating. That’s much slower than smoking, because edibles have to be digested and processed by your liver before you feel them. This processing also means the effects can feel stronger and last longer, often 6–10 hours or more.

Where to Buy Beginner-Friendly Cannabis in Albuquerque and Santa Fe

Verdes has eight dispensary locations across Albuquerque and Santa Fe, each stocked with low-THC strains, low-dose edibles, and other beginner-friendly products. As a 100% New Mexico-owned dispensary, we carefully vet every product we sell for quality, and our in-house Verdes brand sets the standard for affordable, accessible cannabis. Our team members are happy to walk new consumers through their options, so you can explore cannabis on your terms.

Find the Verdes location nearest you and visit us today.

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DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.