A guide to the types of cannabis products

There are many types of cannabis products on the market. If you’re new to cannabis, all these options can be a little overwhelming. What are the differences between the various types of cannabis products? What are the pros and cons of each? And which one will provide the effects and overall experience you’re looking for?

Let's take a closer look at each of the different types of cannabis products to find the one that's right for you.

Fleur

There are many innovative cannabis products on the market, but for many cannabis users, nothing beats smoking good old-fashioned flower. Also known as buds or buds, the flower is the part of the cannabis plant that can be smoked. It is grown, harvested, dried, and processed before being shipped to the dispensary.

How to Use

One of the reasons cannabis flowers are so popular among cannabis users is the variety of ways they can be consumed. You can put them in a bong, smoke them in a pipe, or roll them into a blunt or a joint.

The Benefits of Smoking Flowers

• Flower is one of the most affordable cannabis products, making it an excellent option for consumers on a budget
• The flower has high bioavailability, which means that a higher percentage of cannabinoids ends up in your system than with some other methods
• Since smoking allows cannabinoids to enter your bloodstream directly through the lungs, the euphoria is almost immediate

Disadvantages of smoking marijuana

• You'll need accessories, such as rolling paper, a pipe, or a bong, to smoke cannabis flowers
• Depending on the potency of the strain, the high may be short-lived. On average, the effects last between one and three hours
• Unlike other cannabis products, there is no standard dosing guideline for flower, which can make it easier to consume too much

Concentrates

Concentrates are produced by removing excess plant material and other impurities from the cannabis plant, leaving only the most desirable plant compounds—namely, cannabinoids and terpenes. Since all other materials are removed, the concentrates have a much higher concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids than cannabis flowers.

How to Use

There is a wide variety of cannabis concentrates, and as a result, there are many different ways to consume them. For example, you can sprinkle some kief ground weed to increase its potency. You can also use a spray portable or tabletop device and vaporize the concentrate. You can also vaporize the concentrate using a dab rig, which involves heating a glass, ceramic, or titanium «nail» and then applying the concentrate directly to the hot surface, instantly turning it into vapor for consumption.

Benefits of Concentrates

• Since concentrates are very potent, you need less to feel their effects
• Concentrates work quickly, so you'll feel the effects very soon

Disadvantages of concentrates

• Because concentrates are very potent, they produce extremely strong effects. A small amount is enough, so it’s easy to use too much, which makes them a challenging product for a novice cannabis user
• To safely consume concentrates, you need the right equipment, such as a dab rig or a portable vaporizer, which requires a certain investment

Edibles

The edibles are cannabis-infused foods or beverages that can be made with cannabis flowers or cannabis concentrates. They come in every possible and imaginable form, including baked goods, chocolate bars, popcorn, cooking oils and butters, candies, and beverages.

How to Consume Edibles

As the name suggests, edibles are meant to be eaten. Or, in the case of cannabis-infused beverages, to be drunk.

The Benefits of Edibles

• Edibles are an excellent way to consume cannabis without inhaling, making them an ideal choice for users who dislike smoking or vaping
• Consuming edibles is pretty simple. You don't need to buy any special equipment. Just put them in your mouth, chew them, and swallow them.
• Edibles are made with precise dosages. When you eat an edible from a dispensary, you know exactly how much THC and/or CBD you’re getting, which makes it easier to control your experience and avoid overconsumption.

Disadvantages of Edibles

• Unlike smoking or vaping, where cannabinoids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, the cannabinoids in edibles are absorbed through the digestive tract. This results in a delay in the onset of effects, which can take anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours. The potency also increases gradually as the edible is digested and more cannabinoids are absorbed by the body.
• Consumers sometimes consume additional edibles when they don't feel the effects immediately, which can lead to overconsumption and a high that is too intense and long-lasting. The effects of an edible can last four to six hours.
• Portion sizes for food products can sometimes be confusing. For example, a single serving might be one-fifth of a cookie. If you don’t take the time to read the label, you might accidentally consume more than one serving and, as a result, take more than one dose.

Oils and Dyes

Oils and tinctures are plant-based solutions made by steeping a plant—in this case, cannabis—in edible oil or alcohol.

How to Use Tinctures

The most common way to consume a tincture is sublingually, that is, under the tongue. The compounds in cannabis are absorbed into the body through the blood vessels located under the tongue. Cannabinoids that are not absorbed by these blood vessels then travel to the digestive tract, where they are absorbed in the same way as edibles. Tinctures take effect fairly quickly when taken sublingually—within 15 minutes—but they can also have delayed effects similar to those of edibles.

The Benefits of Dyes

• Just like edibles, tinctures have a precise dosage, which allows you to better control your experience
• If you don't like the taste, you can mix the tincture with food or a drink. Expect the effects to kick in later, since the cannabinoids will be absorbed into your body just as if you were eating an edible.

Disadvantages of hair dyes

• Since edibles can have both an immediate and a delayed effect, they can lead to a prolonged high, which not all users want.
  Tinctures tend to be more expensive than other cannabis products
• Some people dislike the taste of tinctures, probably because of the alcohol

Topical products

The topical products are cannabis-infused products such as lotions, balms, sprays, transdermal patches, or ointments intended for direct application to the skin. Unlike cannabis-based products that produce a psychoactive effect, THC-based topicals produce localized effects on the specific area of the body where they are applied, without causing a high. CBD is better absorbed through the skin, so CBD topical products can produce a more comprehensive effect on the body.

How to Use

As we mentioned, topical products are meant to be applied directly to the body. However, some of them, such as bath salts, are intended to be used to soak sore muscles.

The Benefits of Topical Products

• There is a wide variety of cannabis-based topical products on the market, offering many opportunities to find a product that meets your specific needs
• There are many CBD-infused topical products that do not contain THC. In many places, these topical products are available at traditional retailers as well as at dispensaries.

The Drawbacks of Topical Treatments

• If you're looking for an exhilarating experience, you won't find it with topical products
• Choose the cannabis product that's right for you

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing a cannabis product. The right product depends on a variety of factors, including your tolerance, your budget, and the type of experience you’re looking for. But now that you understand the different types of products, you have the information you need to choose the cannabis product that’s right for you.