Ok, definitely do not take a cut from you main cola. Find a little crappy but riper looking nug bud down low. The last couple of weeks your buds are going to PLUMP, you definitely do not want to cut pieces from your main cola before it gets to plump up.
Also, the oven isnt that bad, just go low low temps. It will dry it ok and even leave a little flavor to it, if its a smelly strain.
Just think about it like a vaporizer, its what 200+ degrees to vaporize thc? So you want to be lower than that.
And lastly, the buzz is most certainly going to mature over the curing process. It should give you a nice buzz now. Being your first grow, you will even have a nice, satisfied feeling on top of it. Just keep in mind, it gets better. The more you smoke now is less you will get to smoke when it is at its best.