Your First Journal Entry

Learn how to quickly and accurately log your first cannabis session in CannaNote.

Your First Journal Entry

Logging your first session sets the foundation for understanding your cannabis patterns. Here's how to create an accurate, useful entry in under 30 seconds.

Before You Start

What You'll Need

  • The cannabis product you consumed
  • Product packaging (if available)
  • A few minutes to reflect on your experience

Best Practices

  • Log immediately - Record your session right after consumption for accuracy
  • Be honest - Include both positive and negative effects
  • Start simple - You can always add more detail later

Step-by-Step Entry Process

1. Open the Journal

  1. Tap the "+" button or "New Entry"
  2. Select "Cannabis Session" from the entry types

2. Basic Information

Date & Time

  • Auto-filled with current date/time
  • Adjust if needed for sessions logged later

Consumption Method

Choose from:

  • Flower (smoking, vaporizing)
  • Edibles (gummies, chocolates, etc.)
  • Concentrates (dabs, oils, etc.)
  • Topicals (creams, balms)
  • Other (custom methods)

Amount Consumed

  • Flower: Weight in grams (e.g., 0.5g)
  • Edibles: Milligrams of THC (e.g., 10mg)
  • Concentrates: Small amount descriptions (e.g., "rice grain size")
  • When in doubt: Use relative terms like "small," "medium," "large"

3. Product Details

Strain Information

If you know the strain name:

  • Enter the exact name (e.g., "Blue Dream," "Wedding Cake")
  • Select strain type: Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid
  • Add THC/CBD percentages if available on packaging

If you don't know:

  • Use "Unknown Strain"
  • Note any information you have (color, smell, where obtained)

Product Source

  • Dispensary name (if applicable)
  • Street/Friend (for non-dispensary sources)
  • Homegrown (if you grew it yourself)

4. Effects & Experience

Onset Time

How long until you felt effects?

  • Smoking/Vaping: Usually 0-15 minutes
  • Edibles: 30 minutes to 2 hours
  • Topicals: 15-45 minutes

Duration

How long did the effects last?

  • Track the total duration from onset to baseline
  • Note if effects came in waves

Effects Experienced

Select all that apply:

  • Physical: Relaxed, energetic, hungry, sleepy, pain relief
  • Mental: Happy, creative, focused, anxious, paranoid, euphoric
  • Medical: Reduced pain, better sleep, appetite stimulation

Intensity Scale

Rate your overall experience (1-10):

  • 1-3: Mild, subtle effects
  • 4-6: Moderate, noticeable effects
  • 7-8: Strong effects, clearly altered state
  • 9-10: Very intense, potentially uncomfortable

5. Context & Environment

Setting

Where did you consume?

  • Home (alone or with others)
  • Friend's place
  • Outdoor (nature, concert, etc.)
  • Public (where legal)

Purpose

Why did you consume?

  • Medical: Pain, anxiety, insomnia, appetite
  • Recreational: Fun, creativity, social
  • Sleep aid
  • Stress relief

Mood Before

How were you feeling before consumption?

  • Good: Happy, calm, energetic
  • Neutral: Regular mood
  • Bad: Stressed, anxious, sad, angry

6. Additional Notes

Use this section for:

  • Specific observations ("Made music sound amazing")
  • Side effects ("Slight headache afterward")
  • Food cravings ("Wanted pizza immediately")
  • Social interactions ("Great for conversation")
  • Activities ("Perfect for gaming")

Example First Entry

Here's what a complete first entry might look like:

Date: January 15, 2024, 8:30 PM
Method: Flower (vaporized)
Amount: 0.3g
Strain: Blue Dream (Hybrid)
THC: 18% / CBD: 1%
Source: Green Leaf Dispensary

Onset: 5 minutes
Duration: 3 hours
Intensity: 6/10

Effects:
✓ Relaxed    ✓ Happy    ✓ Creative
✓ Hungry     ✓ Focused

Setting: Home, living room
Purpose: Stress relief after work
Mood Before: Stressed (7/10)

Notes: Perfect for unwinding. Made me creative and helped me sketch for 2 hours. Slight dry mouth but manageable with water. Would use again for creative activities.

After Logging

Review Your Entry

  • Check for accuracy - Make sure everything is correct
  • Add forgotten details - Remember anything else important?
  • Rate satisfaction - How did this session meet your goals?

Set Reminders

  • Follow-up check-ins - How do you feel the next day?
  • Pattern tracking - Note any recurring effects over time

Tips for Better Tracking

Consistency Matters

  • Use the same measurement units for similar products
  • Log at similar times when possible
  • Include context that might affect your experience

Start Simple, Add Detail Later

  • Basic entries are valuable - Don't overwhelm yourself
  • Add more fields as you become comfortable
  • Focus on what matters to your goals

Privacy Considerations

  • Use initials instead of full names for social contexts
  • Be general about locations if privacy is a concern
  • Remember: Your data stays on your device unless you choose to sync

Common Beginner Mistakes

Being Too Vague

❌ "Had some weed, felt good"
✅ "0.5g Blue Dream via vaporizer, felt relaxed and creative for 2 hours"

Forgetting Context

❌ Just recording the strain and amount
✅ Including mood, setting, purpose, and specific effects

Not Tracking Negatives

❌ Only recording positive experiences
✅ Noting both positive and negative effects honestly

Inconsistent Units

❌ Mixing "a bowl," "0.5g," and "small amount"
✅ Sticking to consistent measurements

What's Next?

After your first few entries:

  1. Understanding Patterns - Learn to spot trends in your data
  2. Cannabis Guides - Understand what you're consuming
  3. Data Export - Keep your data safe and portable

Remember: The more accurately you track, the better insights you'll gain about what works for your unique needs.