This is exactly how I'd describe it, and exactly the effects you need to be aware of.

If you decide to try any inebriating substance, do it among people you know and trust. If you end up sick it's extremely comforting to know there is someone who knows what's going on, but is sober enough to make sure you're alright. Trying it alone in your bedroom, or at a party full of inhebriated people you don't know very well is likely a bad idea.

Eating marijuana can have a substantially different effect on your physical and mental state. The high can take an extremely long time to kick in, it could be a few hours before you're a little bit stoned, and a few hours more before you're really stoned. It will also take longer to completely sober up and feel normal once the high goes away.

Always look out for your friends. Not only will people get sick of waiting for it to kick in and decide to eat some more, they might also decide to leave the party only to have it effect them later. Just be patient.

If you're trying someting new, please stick to one inebriant at a time. If you're going to eat marijuana, don't smoke or drink in the same evening. That way, you'll at least know how much of what caused you to feel they way you did.

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(2)

To the reader:

I occasionally smoke marijuana (2-3 times a year) and earlier in this year I tried pot cookies. It was at a friend's apartment, but I did not know everyone there. I only ate 1 cookie and it took a few hours for the effects to kick in, but they sure hit me when they did. I am also a big guy (6'3", 260 lbs) so you can't blame it on size. The feeling is totally different from smoking. I became very paranoid (I usually get super happy when I smoke) and I started to think everyone was trying to mess with me because I was so high. I ended up having my friend drive my car to his place because at that point I could barely even walk, let alone drive.

Bottom line: Ingesting marijuana is something you want to think about carefully before you do so. Definitely make sure there is someone to take care of you.

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(3)
Dear Alice,

My experience is that the effects from eating marijuana are much more sedating than from smoking.

People new to eating should be cautioned about the possibility of consuming too much. They should be advised to eat a small amount and wait 60 to 90 minutes before eating more.