dry and trimmed cannabis buds stored in glass jar

12 Best Weed Strains for Beginners

If you’re new to the cannabis world, we recommend starting your journey low and slow: low doses, low cannabinoid concentrations, and slow dose increases as needed.
Some newcomer-friendly strains include Cherry Wine, Hash Plant, Panama Red, and Dream Lotus.

If you’re a complete newcomer to cannabis (or it’s been a while since you’ve tried it), you might be intimidated by the sheer number of options in today’s dispensaries. Between the hundreds of strains and administration methods available, where do you start with medical marijuana?

This guide is designed to help first-time or inexperienced cannabis users start their search for the perfect strain. While you may not find your ideal formula on the first try, a good starting strain can serve as a springboard for future experiments.

Generally speaking, the strains on this list offer low concentrations of cannabinoids (primarily THC and CBD) to help prevent newcomers from getting overwhelmed. However, you should still take a low-and-slow approach—start with a low dose (a few milligrams of an edible, a drop or two of a tincture, or a few puffs of a joint) and incrementally increase your intake as needed.

Strains 101: Your Springboard to Product Selection

First, let’s touch on strains. Strains are subtypes of the cannabis plant; like dogs of different breeds, all cannabis strains are the same species, but they have unique characteristics that set them apart.

Each strain, for instance, has its own unique profile of cannabinoids, including:

These are just a few of the hundreds of cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant, but unique combinations of these create one-of-a-kind effects (and these can be different for each user).

Strains fall into one of three categories:

Indica strains are generally considered to be soothing or relaxing; they’re often used for sleep support or anxiety relief, for instance.
Sativa strains can be more stimulating for users; they can jump-start complex thinking or make you chatty and energized.
Hybrid strains feature combinations of both indica and sativa genetic material—so, their effects can vary widely based on their content.

Of course, these are general definitions; everyone responds to each cannabis strain in a unique way, so you’ll need to experiment to find the product that’s right for you.

3 Low-THC Strains for Cannabis Newcomers

If you’re inexperienced with cannabis but want to reap its health benefits, consider starting with a non-intoxicating strain—one that’s higher in CBD than in THC. To avoid psychoactivity, you’ll need to look for products with a 10% THC concentration or less.

Let’s touch on a few beginner-friendly, CBD-forward strains that won’t produce a high.

#1 Cherry Wine

While strains of Cherry Wine can feature a wide array of THC content, beginners should consider trying low-THC varieties if they’re looking to avoid intoxication.

Cherry Wine is known for:

Promoting relaxation
Inducing euphoric feelings or elevated mood
Improving focus
Relieving chronic pain
Alleviating inflammation associated with asthma

Its moderate CBD content makes Cherry Wine an exceptional starting strain for anyone just getting their feet wet in the cannabis world.

#2 Harlequin

While Cherry Wine offers a dictionary-definition hybrid cannabis experience, Harlequin is mostly composed of sativa genetic material—so, it’s slightly more stimulating.

However, Harlequin won’t produce a high because it only contains a negligible concentration of THC.

Instead, it may help users:

Focus on work, studying, or creative pursuits
Improve their energy level or overcome fatigue
Reduce nausea and improve appetite
Kick-start executive function during depressive episodes

At the end of the day, Harlequin is an excellent option for patients looking to stimulate their bodies and brains without getting high.

#3 Charlotte’s Web

An even split of indica and sativa genetic material, Charlotte’s Web was originally formulated by cannabis botanists for one specific patient: Charlotte Figi, who used medical cannabis to relieve her epilepsy symptoms.

Despite being designed with one patient in mind, Charlotte’s Web has grown immensely in popularity as a non-intoxicating, CBD-forward hybrid strain.

It offers numerous healing benefits, including:

Relaxation and relief from anxiety symptoms
Headache and migraine relief
Chronic pain relief
A focus boost without overstimulation

When it comes to CBD strains for beginners, Charlotte’s Web is one of the best options on the market today.

3 Mellow Indica Strains

If you’re ready to try THC, consider starting with strains that feature a relatively low concentration of this psychoactive cannabinoid. However, you’ll need to use a product with at least 10% THC concentration to potentially feel these psychoactive effects.

Let’s touch on some fan-favorite, relaxing, indica strains for newcomers to cannabis.

#1 Purple Punch

True to its name, Purple Punch delivers strong body and mind effects. While some varieties feature just enough THC to get you high, others feature higher concentrations—so, be sure to ask your budtender for a low-THC version of Purple Punch.

Consider giving Purple Punch a try for:

Stress relief and relaxation
Chronic pain relief
Improved mood during depressive episodes

#2 Monster Cookies

Clocking in at around 15% THC content, Monster Cookies is a strain cultivated from a combination of two other beloved varieties: Girl Scout Cookie and Granddaddy Purple.

With a moderate THC concentration, Monster Cookies offers a gentle introduction to psychoactive strains of cannabis.

Users generally report that the strain helps them:

Relax (or even catch up on sleep)
Recover from a low period or bad mood
Relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Treat chronic pain

While Monster Cookies typically don’t overstimulate patients, newcomers to cannabis should start with a low dose, especially if they’re not looking to catch some Zs right away.

#3 Hash Plant

Perfect for lazy days or relaxing settings, Hash Plant is a soothing, sedating strain with a THC concentration of around 12%—a perfect starting strain for inexperienced users or newcomers to indica varieties.

Hash Plant is renowned for:

Inducing euphoria
Promoting relaxation
Treating nausea
Reducing anxiety symptoms
Relieving insomnia and promoting healthy sleep

However, the Hash Plant can cause a cotton mouth—a cannabis-induced decrease in saliva production. To combat this, keep a glass of water nearby once the effects kick in.

3 Starter Sativa Strains

The three strains above offer a perfect entry point into indica strains: they promote relaxation and zen. What if you’re looking for something more stimulating? Try the following starter sativa strains as you experiment.

#1 Timewarp

An especially helpful strain for people looking to boost their creativity, Timewarp offers sativa newcomers a soft entry point into stimulating marijuana varieties—its THC content averages 12%.

Timewarp may be an especially good match for you if:

You’re trying to boost your nutrient intake or treat loss of appetite
Nausea keeps you from eating normally or achieving a high quality of life
You have chronic pain or need a strong recovery tool for intense workouts

In addition, Timewarp can induce euphoria. However, cotton mouth isn’t out of the question with this strain. To proactively treat seemingly unquenchable thirst, prepare your water bottle ahead of time.

#2 Blueberry Cheesecake

If you’re looking to experiment with slightly higher THC concentrations without risking overstimulation, consider Blueberry Cheesecake: a sativa strain with between 10 and 20% THC.

Perfect for extroverts (or people looking to fill up their fuel tank before socializing), Blueberry Cheesecake offers a chatty, thought-provoking, and uplifting high. However, it can take time to kick in—if it takes longer than expected to feel its effects, wait a little longer before increasing your dose.

Blueberry Cheesecake supports:

Improved focus
Migraine relief
Depression relief
Anxiety symptom mitigation

#3 Panama Red

One of the most classic and long-lived sativas in the cannabis world, Panama Red offers the quintessential cerebral high that users often look for from sativa strains. That said, its THC content isn’t exceedingly high—it averages about 13% THC.

While it can be stimulating, it does promote physical relaxation for some users. If you’re recovering from an injury or hard lifting day but don’t want to contend with indica drowsiness, Panama Red might be a good fit for you.

However, Panama Red can overstimulate some patients; reports of paranoia aren’t unheard of. Take steps to prevent this by starting with a low dose and using it in a calming, comfortable environment.

3 Hybrids to Start Your Marijuana Journey

Last but not least, let’s explore three hybrid strains for newcomers. Inexperienced cannabis users often turn to hybrids at the beginning of their journeys to get a feel for what cannabis can do—they offer a balanced experience and a taste of both indica and sativa effects.

#1 California Orange

An even-split indica-sativa hybrid with around 13% THC concentration, California Orange is an all-around favorite for people facing a variety of health issues.

It’s most commonly used by people living with:

Anxiety
Depression
Appetite loss
Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD and ADHD)

While this strain will certainly elevate your senses (like a sativa strain might), its relatively mellow mind high rings true of a 50% indica blend.

#2 Canna-Tsu

Canna-Tsu is a hybrid with just enough THC to induce psychoactive effects—around 11% on average.

Patients love this strain for multiple reasons:

It promotes relaxation without being highly sedative.
It boosts mood.
It can improve focus without overstimulation.
It increases chattiness in some patients (but not all).

Whether you’re looking for a complement to a soothing mindfulness practice or a tool to support a healthy social life (or something else entirely), Canna-Tsu offers a mild, pleasant experience that is especially well-suited to newcomers.

#3 Dream Lotus

For users with some experience looking to take their hybrids to the next level, check out Dream Lotus: an even-split hybrid with around 16% THC concentration. Since THC levels aren’t astronomically high, this is a great strain to try once you get accustomed to marijuana’s psychoactive effects.

Equally relaxing and stimulating, this strain is especially useful for people living with ADD and ADHD. It improves focus without overstimulation (preventing less-than-ideal hyperfixation) and soothes the mind without inducing laziness.

And, if you have mild (but not debilitating) anxiety, you shouldn’t sleep on Dream Lotus.

TeleLeaf: Your Partner in Plant-Based Healing

While diving into the cannabis world can be intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. With the right starter strains and guidance from dedicated cannabis healthcare providers, you can conquer your fears about cannabis and start reaping its powerful health benefits.

When you’re ready to begin your cannabis healing journey, reach out to TeleLeaf—we’ll connect you with a compassionate, licensed, cannabis-informed healthcare provider who can help you access medical cannabis. Reach out to us to schedule your first appointment.

Sources:

Healthline. Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana Strains.
https://www.healthline.com/health/beginners-guide-to-marijuana-strains

WikiLeaf. Cherry Wine.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/cherry-wine

WikiLeaf. Harlequin.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/harlequin

WikiLeaf. Charlotte’s Web.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/charlottes-web

CNN. Marijuana Stops Child’s Severe Seizures.
https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/07/health/charlotte-child-medical-marijuana/index.html

WikiLeaf. Purple Punch.
https://wikileaf.com/strain/purple-punch

WikiLeaf. Monster Cookies.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/monster-cookies

WikiLeaf. Hash Plant.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/hash-plant

WikiLeaf. Timewarp.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/timewarp

WikiLeaf. Blueberry Cheesecake.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/timewarp

WikiLeaf. Panama Red.
https://www.wikileaf.com/strain/panama-red