Cannabis Experience: A Personal Account

It was back then in France at a surf camp in Moliets. I was 17 and there with my friend B. when we had our first cannabis experience . Looking back on it now, it was probably the perfect setting for my first cannabis experience. Warm, somewhere by the sea, far away from home, without my parents, and full of wanderlust.

Evenings at camp were always relaxed – campfire, guitar, the smell of salt water in the air. But at some point, B. and I wanted more. More freedom, more experiences. So one night we snuck out. We quickly scaled the camp fence and, barefoot, ran through the sand towards the sea.

There was also an older guy from our group, let's just call him J. He was 18 and had mixed a Sprite bottle with schnapps before the tour. No idea why that was cool back then, but he seemed to know what he was doing.

The path to the sea: pure freedom

When we reached the beach, we saw several small campfires in the distance. About five or six groups were sitting there, a mix of surfers, backpackers, and a few locals. It felt like what you dream of as a teenager – that feeling of freedom, a bit of rebellion, and the ocean right there.

We went over to a group that looked particularly relaxed. Dutch and Danes, pretty chill, as it turned out later. A beautiful Danish woman with long blonde hair offered me the joint . And quite honestly – as a 17-year-old boy, you don't turn down an offer like that. No way.

I took the joint, inhaled the smoke, and felt it fill my lungs. Shortly after, I passed it to B. B. took a deeper drag than I did and grinned right at me. I wasn't sure if I should feel anything—I felt relaxed, but still completely normal. Maybe it just needed a little time. So this is my first cannabis experience , I thought to myself.

The Cannabis Experience: The Moment When B. Lost It

While I sat there simply enjoying the moment, B. was already a few steps ahead. He suddenly stood up, looked towards the sea and said: " Let's go swimming! " Before I could even say anything, he ran off, straight into the water.

I jumped in after him. The alcohol from the Sprite bottle and the joint made us brave. The water was cold, but somehow that was exactly what I needed in that moment. Everything felt more intense – the water, the stars above us, the voices from the campfires in the background.

We swam out a few meters, laughing and talking about life, even though we were only 17. It was that perfect mix of youthful exuberance and the feeling of finally having experienced something truly crazy.

Back at the fire: The effect begins to take hold.

When we got back to the campfire, I noticed everything slowed down a bit . The conversations around us, the crackling of the fire, even the wind in the sand – everything felt somehow more intense. I don't know if it was the joint or just that magical moment. Probably both.

B. still had a broad grin on his face as he grabbed another bottle of Sprite. " This is the best night ever ," he said. And yes, I had to agree.

What I took away from my first cannabis experience

That night at surf camp was more than just my first cannabis experience . It was a feeling of freedom that I haven't forgotten to this day. The combination of adventure, the ocean, and that first joint – it was simply perfect.

Looking back, I'd say the setting plays a huge role. If I'd smoked my first joint somewhere in a city parking lot, the memory certainly wouldn't have been so positive. But like this? It was perfect.

Of course, I don't want to romanticize the whole thing. Cannabis isn't something you should consume lightly, especially not at a young age. But at the time, it was simply an experience that shaped me – and I'm glad I experienced it that way.

Practical tips for cannabis beginners

If you're curious yourself, here are a few tips I can give you:

The surroundings are crucial – find a relaxed place, preferably in nature, with people you trust.
Start slowly – there's no point in trying to act like a pro right away. You have time.
Have respect for it – cannabis can be relaxing, but it can also become unpleasant if you consume too much.