A Guide for the Pot Newbie

What do know when you’re first trying cannabis products

By Anna Faller | April 12, 2025

Michigan is now home to over 1,000 cannabis dispensaries and tenfold more cannabis products. As a newbie, navigating the evolving world of weed can feel, well, hazy. Where do you start? What effects can you expect? Can cannabis really help with sleep and pain, or is it just for fun?

With seven storefronts throughout northern Michigan, two of which are in Traverse City, Dunegrass Co. knows a few things about getting the best bang for your blaze.

“There’s a variety of benefits that people can achieve with the use of cannabis,” says Vice President of Retail Operations Chris Piedmonte. “Chances are, we’ve got something that’ll help you meet your goals.”

Learn the Basics

According to Dunegrass’s estimates, the company adds about 300 new accounts every month (though not all these folks are new to cannabis), and services truly “green” customers daily. Of these, key local demographics include consumers in their 20s, followed closely by adults in the 45-to-60 bracket, many of whom are pursuing retirement or roll in with seasonal tourist influxes.

Piedmonte highlights a notable split in consumer incentives, with older adults often less interested in psychoactive effects and instead seeking cannabis to mitigate chronic issues like pain and insomnia. Meanwhile, “the majority of the younger crowd wants to use [cannabis] for stress relief,” he adds, “but they also tend to enjoy the more pleasurable elements of it, as well.”

Cannabis strains can be sorted into three basic categories: Sativas, the uplifting and energizing effects of which Piedmonte highlights for daytime use; Indicas, which tend to be more sedative; and infinitely-crossable Hybrid varieties.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, aka THC, the compound responsible for marijuana’s “high,” is only a small piece of this plant-based puzzle.

Per Piedmonte, a whopping 99 percent of the state’s flower falls in the hybrid category, which, when coupled with the non-psychoactive and aromatic compounds—like terpenes and minor cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, etc.)—puts consumers in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing their own canna-adventure.

“[Dunegrass] can fine-tune a product pretty close to exactly what that customer is looking to accomplish,” notes Piedmonte. The trick is finagling what, and how much, works for you.

Pick Your Product

This is where picking your product comes in, which, per Piedmonte, should start with a single question: would you be comfortable smoking something and with the aroma that smoke creates?

If the answer is no, that eliminates most inhalants like flower, vaporizers, and pre-rolls (prepared joints), but opens the door to other buzzworthy products, from highly-concentrated resins to gummies, mints, and other edible treats.

When it comes to appropriate portioning, one piece, puff, drop, etc. doesn’t necessarily equate to one dose. Per Michigan law, the maximum THC concentration for a marijuana-spiked gummy pack is 200 milligrams. This shakes out to about 20 milligrams per piece, but for a new consumer, Piedmonte recommends setting that initial bar much lower.

“With a first-timer, I typically say take two-and-a-half or five milligrams. Then you can get that experience and, from there, decide whether or not you need more,” he explains.

It’s for this reason that consumables, like drinks and edibles, often make for ideal introductory products, as the dosage and resultant experience are more consistent. Conversely, products like waxes and resins, which pack a higher THC concentration—Piedmonte estimates that one unit of wax is equivalent to multiple puffs on a bowl—and tinctures are a better fit for more seasoned consumers.

“I’d much rather have your first experience not get you the results you’re after [because you don’t feel much] than have you consume too much and be uncomfortable,” he adds.

Find Your Dosage

To avoid the potential for overconsumption, Piedmonte underscores the importance of coordinating your product’s absorption with its intended effect.

Flower and pre-rolls, not surprisingly, top the list of quick delivery methods, with most consumers feeling relief in a minute or two. Drinks, which are nano-emulsified (i.e., infused with tiny particles), also work within a matter of minutes. Meanwhile, comestibles like gummies and other treats have to pass through the digestive tract, a process that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to hours to fully kick in.

It’s because of these variables, Piedmonte notes, that sticking to the suggested dose is key for new cannabis users.

“With edibles, we suggest not redosing for 24 hours,” he says, and with flower, try a puff—maybe two—before pausing to let your system catch up. “Generally speaking, we say try your dose. If it doesn’t work, try again tomorrow, because all of those compounds will be [built up] in your system, which will [feel like] more than what you first took.”

Depending on your desired outcome, some of the dispensary’s top gummy picks include Strawberry Wyld and Quick Calm by Wana, both of which alleviate pain and boost mood; Fast Asleep (also by Wana) whose minor cannabinoid formulation—CBN, CBG, and CBD—support shut-eye; and for new consumers with a sweet tooth, Potpots by Dream infused chocolates are formulated with just 1 milligram of THC per piece.

On the flower front, Piedmonte recommends a strain called Cherry Pie for stress and anxiety relief, as well as Peach Crescendo for a relaxed, but energized, headspace.

Other do’s and don’ts for a THC trial-run include setting yourself up in a cozy, safe space—this is definitely not the time to be driving or working—and, as Piedmonte underscores, don’t be shy about asking questions.

“Dispensary employees love what they do and love helping people accomplish their goals, so don’t hesitate to show up and wave that white flag,” he adds.

Tried Too Much?

If you do overstep your body’s boundary, Piedmonte the first step is to try not to panic.

The effects of too much THC are temporary, though you might feel mighty uncomfortable (think: racing heartbeat, confusion, and paranoia).

If you’re comfortable enough to stay home, there are a few holistic remedies Piedmonte recommends to help mitigate THC’s side effects: vitamin C supplements, like capsules or Emergen-C, for example, can help your body return to homeostasis. Chewing whole black peppercorns can also help dampen the psychoactive experience, as it binds to your brain’s CB receptors—which signal the molecules that regulate functions like motor control, mood, and appetite—effectively counteracting the THC. CBD products have a similar effect, though these tend to be more expensive and less accessible. And be sure to drink plenty of water!

For those experiencing severe discomfort, contacting your local poison control center (all Dunegrass dispensary packages are printed with the Michigan hotline) or calling 911 for safety assurance and peace of mind are both further options.

In the meantime, there’s not much to be done to increase your body’s processing time. While you wait out the dose, Piedmonte also recommends finding ways to keep your mind engaged. Head to your yard and soak up some sunshine, for instance, or listen to your favorite music. “Get to a safe space and surround yourself with people you’re comfortable with,” he adds. “Once the experience is over, you’ll be right back to [yourself].”