The medical benefits of cannabis have become more widely known, and now in many states, cannabis is now legal for medicinal purposes. Generally, you see a doctor for a prescription and then visit a dispensary to buy your cannabis products. While you can reach out to the budtender for advice, there's not always a whole lot of guidance at the onset, and there can be a bit of a learning curve when you first start using cannabis medicinally. Here are a few tips to help you use it more effectively from the onset.

Experiment with different strains.

Different strains of marijuana affect the body differently. Some may make you feel more relaxed, while others may make you feel more euphoric. Everyone experiences these feelings a bit differently, so don't just rely on the advice of a friend or budtender. Try a few different strains yourself, and see which ones you like best. Buy small amounts, such as 1 gram, of multiple strains at first. Treat them like samples, and then buy the ones you like best in larger quantities.

Don't feel as though you need to smoke it.

Smoking has been the traditional way to consume marijuana for some time, but when you're using it for medical purposes, smoking is not always the best. If the smoke irritates your throat or you find the flavor unpleasant, you may instead want to vaporize your herb. Basically, you put the cannabis in an apparatus called a dry herb vaporizer. It heats the marijuana to release the THC and other active components, which you inhale. Vaporizing is much easier on the lungs and throat than smoking.

Don't get drawn into high THC strains.

There are some strains of cannabis that are super high in THC. You may be tempted to buy these as it seems like you're getting the best "bang for your buck." However, THC is not the only active compound in marijuana, and it is not the only compound that has therapeutic benefits. If you buy a strain that is too high in THC, you may not end up smoking enough of it to get the right amount of these other compounds. For most patients, the low to mid THC level strains are better choices.

With the tips above, you should be able to ease yourself into using cannabis effectively. Remember, this is a learning experience. Try a few things, and then try a few more. Over time, you will figure out what works for you.

For more information about medical cannabis, contact your doctor or a local dispensary.