As I'm in the business, let me help you out some. There is an easy and most pleasant way to ingest buds. I'm like you, a 40 year pot smoker, never a cig smoker though. Can't smoke anymore, so these will do the trick.
In a double boiler, heat organic, refined coconut oil (about 1 lb) with 2-3 oz. (the more, the better) of clean and decarbed (gently heated at 160-170 degrees for 10-15 minutes) dry pot for 3-4 hours stirring often. This will remove all the resin from the leaves, turning the white oil to light green. Strain it well. Stored in fridge, it will last forever. The decarbing removes the remaining moisture and will make the buds stronger.
Find a big box of jello (you pick the flavor) and 4 small packs of gelatin. The recipe only calls for 1/2 cup of water, and 1/3 cup of the above oil. Mix the water and jello well, heat it up to a solid rolling boil. After about 3 minutes the jello will darken in color, then add the gelatin packs mixing very well. About a minute or so will do. Then add the oil, constantly stirring very well until the oil disappears into the jello mix. Pour into candy molds (available at Walmart) and refrigerate. 1/2-1 piece will put you out in less than an hour and you'll sleep like a baby. This recipe will produce around 45-60 gummies, depending on the size of the candy mold.
This is a tried and true recipe, developed over years of testing. I'll just say I'm a very popular fellow and leave it at that. Using an indica will put you out quick, a sativa will alter the high a bit but still put you to sleep eventually. I like to mix 2-3 strains together, for a cocktail effect basically. You can reduce everything by cutting all the ingredients in half.
Lastly, my medical clients absolutely love them, and properly made- you will too. I have numerous people with a wide range of medical issues- one has MS, one is paralyzed from the neck down, one has had 2 kidney transplants and double hip replacements, numerous people use it to fall asleep while in pain, etc., etc. You get the idea. People who think CBD is the answer are full of shit- you need some THC in there too, along with the CBD to really be effective and don't let the deceptive CBD advertising tell you otherwise. CBD will make you a bit tired and calm some anxiety, but past that- it does very little for pain and nerve issues.