It’s Friday night and you’ve had a long week at work. You’re so wired that smoking or taking a hit of your dab just doesn’t feel like enough. Since alcohol is a good way to unwind, just like weed, it might be time to try mixing the two substances together.

Mixing cannabis and alcohol can be relaxing and fun, but be sure to go slow and take things in moderation! Let us tell you how to handle the situation before you jump right in. That way, you can actually enjoy your experience.

Before You Start

There are a few things to keep in mind before you go all in with weed and booze. It goes without saying that, when you combine weed and alcohol, it shouldn’t be your first time trying either substance.

There are a few unique things that determine how combining alcohol and cannabis will affect you. Details like your weight, how much food and water you have in your system, and the speed of your metabolism can affect how your body responds to this newfound combination.

Method of Cannabis Consumption

As you know, there are lots of ways to consume cannabis. Whether you’re an edible person, you’re glued to your vape, or something more on the traditional smoking side, everyone has a preference. If this is your first time getting crossfaded, we recommend starting by smoking your cannabis. As you get more experienced, you can try edibles or even cannabis drinks (more on that later).

As for which you should consume first, alcohol or cannabis, that’s entirely up to you. If you drink first, that can intensify the effects of cannabis. If you smoke before you drink, you’ll be in a less-intoxicated state of mind – so, you’ll have more control over how much alcohol you consume and how the effects take over.

Ways to Consume

When you consume alcohol and cannabis, there’s one rule of thumb to keep in mind: know your tolerance for each substance and cut it in half. That’s how much you should consume when you’re having both together.

As for just how to make the perfect treat to get your fill, that’s the fun part. Of course, you can go the traditional route and use your favorite method of consumption for cannabis and your favorite boozy drink. If it’s your first go-round, stick with something you know. Once you feel comfortable enough to branch out, though, check out Wynk.

Wynk is a seltzer that contains both THC and CBD. So, basically, it can be used in any alcoholic cocktail that calls for seltzer, and you get the alcohol and THC together in one sip. The dosage is printed on the outside of the can, they come in Juicy Mango, Lime Twist, and Black Cherry Fizz flavors, and they’re legal to purchase online in Michigan. You can’t get much better (or more convenient) than that!

Having a Good Time

Remember when you smoked weed for the first time? You probably had someone there to give you a few pointers. Let us be your guide to getting crossfaded.

Know Your Limits (And If You Don’t Know Them, Set Some)

If you’ve never consumed cannabis and alcohol together, you can’t be sure how it will affect you. It’s important to know that the more you drink, the more intensely the effects of cannabis will hit you. Don’t overdo it – especially right off the bat.

Drink Lots of Water

Water covers so many bases. It keeps you hydrated when you’re smoking, it prevents that dreaded, awful cotton-mouth, and it’ll keep you from getting too drunk. Keep your Stanley cup filled and fresh for the best experience!

Be Prepared

Don’t make the decision to combine weed and booze on a whim. It should be something you prepare for by having your desired strain of marijuana and the right alcoholic drinks stocked and ready. After all, not every strain coincides with every boozy drink. If you don’t have the right ingredients, you should probably just choose one and save the combo for a different day.

Don’t Mix Strains, Don’t Mix Drinks

Just like certain alcoholic drinks don’t mix, there are certain weed strains that just clash. Since some weed strains have different effects on the body than others, and some alcoholic drinks affect the mind and body in different ways, don’t get experimental when you mix the two. When you mix, stick to one of each type – one strain, one type of drink.

Keep Your Friends Close

Whether you’re in public or in private, having a friend around when you mix substances is never a bad idea. Even if this is something you do often, sometimes the results can be unpredictable – and dealing with that alone can be scary. Having someone there who you trust will make the night worry-free and more fun.

What If It Goes Wrong?

If you keep all this information in your back pocket, getting crossfaded will likely be an awesome experience. But when you’re experimenting, you always run the risk of things going south.

If you go overboard, what happens isn’t an overdose – so don’t worry there. It’s called “greening out” and it typically comes with feelings of nausea, discomfort, and paranoia. It’s no fun, but don’t freak, as the symptoms only last for a maximum of 24 hours. How long your specific symptoms last will depend on how much alcohol/cannabis you consumed, how hydrated you are, your tolerance, and how fast you consumed it.

You can avoid greening out by taking it slow with the dosage and potency. You also want to be sure that you’re consuming cannabis that’s pure (and that means buying it from a licensed dispensary).

If you start greening out, our number one tip is to stay calm. When you’re all worked up, it’s next to impossible to listen to what your body is saying, and it’s most likely telling you to drink some water and lay down for a while. Take some deep breaths and, if the effects are still tripping you out, try smelling some crushed black peppercorn. It sounds strange, but it works (thanks to the terpenes in the peppercorn that counteract the icky feeling of greening out).

What you shouldn’t do while greening out is consume more cannabis. You might think it’ll help, but it’ll only exacerbate the problem. That, along with adding other medications (whether they’re over-the-counter, prescribed, or illicit), should be avoided so you can feel better ASAP.

Staying Safe and Having Fun

All of us here at Doja Cannabis want you to have fun no matter how you choose to enjoy the stoner lifestyle. If you want to get crossfaded and let the stress fall off your back, we’re here for it – and we’re here to guide you and answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to stop by or reach out if you need some support for your first sesh!