Different Types of Cannabis Products

Written and Fact Checked by S. Zulfiqar

In today’s cannabis market, there are thousands of different products available to explore. No matter if you’re new to cannabis consumption or a veteran to the culture, finding the right cannabis product for you is crucial to get the most out of your cannabis experience. 

Use this guide to help you break down the different types of all the most popular cannabis products, as well as what to expect when using. 

What are the Different Types of Cannabis Products? 

With the endless amount of cannabis products available for users, understanding the difference of each product will help you not only be a smart cannabis consumer, but optimize your cannabis experience. 

Flower 

Although there are constantly new cannabis products available to try, nothing beats the good old fashioned method of smoking flower. Flower, also known as bud or weed, is the dried smokable part of the cannabis plant. This process includes growing cannabis plants, cultivating and harvesting the flower, then dried and cured before being sold in a dispensary. Smoking flower allows the cannabinoids ingested to pass directly into the bloodstream and through the lungs, providing an almost instant high effect. 

Flower is one of the most popular cannabis products because of the various ways in which it can be consumed. Whether its packed in a bowl, smoked out of a pipe, rolled into a joint or blunt, or used for bong rips – flower is the most classic and common product out there for cannabis consumers. Plus, there are thousands of strain options available on the market for you to try! 

About Flower:

  • Flower is a common cannabis product because of its affordability. This product is a great option for consumers on a budget, where you have more options and varieties available to you. 
  • Depending on the potency of the strain, effects can last anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours. 
  • Although there is no standard dosing structure possible with flower, this type of product is known for its high bioavailability. This means a higher amount of cannabinoids consumed compared to other methods. 

 

Concentrates 

Concentrates have recently become another common cannabis product. Concentrates are an extraction from the cannabis plant, created by removing the excess plant material and other impurities. This intricate extraction process means that concentrates are much more potent because of the higher proportion of cannabis terpenes and cannabinoids extracted. 

Today, there are many different products and equipment available to use when consuming concentrates. Portable weed vaporizers can attach to a cartridge of cannabis concentrate, heating the product up to be vaporized and inhaled. Other tabletop vaporizers, such as a dab rig, consist of heating up the glass or ceramic “nail” then applying the concentrate directly to the hot surface to instantly turn to vapor. No matter which method you choose, it’s important to remember that a little goes a long way because of the high potency of concentrates!   

About Concentrates: 

  • Concentrates have a rapid onset, you may feel effects quickly after smoking. 
  • In order to consume concentrates, a dab rig, portable vaporizer, or other proper equipment is required. 
  • Don’t forget – concentrates are potent! The less to start off with, the better. 

 

Edibles

Any type of food or drink that is infused with cannabis is considered an edible. Baked goods, chocolate bars, gummies, beverages, oils, and butters are few of the many cannabis edibles available. With its wide range in variety, it’s always helpful to check the label and supplement information for ingredients and directions when consuming edibles. Compared to smoking flower or concentrates, edibles may take a bit longer before any high effects are felt. This is why patience is key and those who consume should do so in cautious moderation. 

Edibles have become a popular cannabis product because of its convenient way of consuming without any inhalation. Depending on the specific cannabis edible, this type of product is easily consumed by drinking or eating as normal. No lighting, vaporizing, or heating up necessary! 

About Edibles: 

  • Edibles are created with precise doses. Some products come with recommended instructions about a single serving. Check your product’s label and information before consuming.
  • Because of its precise dosing, consumers have an easier and discrete way to control the amount when eating and can avoid overdosing. 
  • Unlike other cannabis products, edibles are absorbed directly into the digestive tract. This causes the onset time to differ depending on a person’s metabolic rate. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half before effects are felt. 

 

Tinctures

Tinctures 

Tinctures are a type of cannabis product created by steeping the cannabis plant with alcohol or some sort of alkaline solution. Most commonly consumed sublingually, the cannabinoids from tinctures are absorbed in the body through the blood vessels under the tongue. Similar to the extraction process of concentrates, tinctures are created by extracting cannabinoids of the plant and steeping the contents into a soluble solution, such as alcohol. 

Tinctures tend to be more expensive than other cannabis products because of its specific extraction process and overall potency. Some specific tinctures contain the presence of additional compounds or herbs to provide more therapeutic benefits. Similar to edibles, tinctures are discrete and require no additional heating or equipment. 

About Tinctures: 

  • Tinctures allow users to precisely dose the desired amount, making it a more controllable cannabis experience. 
  • If desired, this cannabis product can also be mixed into any kind of food or drink for a more tasty consumption.
  • Because of its high potency levels, cannabis tinctures have either a delayed or rapid onset effect that can cause an extended high.  

 

Topicals 

Lotions, balms, sprays, salves, and transdermal patches are all classified as topicals for cannabis. These products are classified because of how it can be applied directly to the skin. Unlike all cannabis products that produce a psychoactive high, cannabis topicals provide localized effects to the specific area applied. This is because of the way the THC is absorbed through the skin in our body, rather than consumed or smoked like flower.

Topicals are an ideal cannabis product for those looking to alleviate the source of any chronic pain or inflammation in the body. By simply applying to the skin, topicals will ease physical pain and symptoms without leaving you feeling intoxicated. 

About Topicals: 

  • Similar to tinctures and edibles, there are a variety of topicals available in the cannabis market. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there to find a topical that works for you. 
  • CBD infused topicals tend to absorb into the skin better, leaving a more full body effect when applied. 

Final Thoughts 

Besides the options listed above, other factors that can go into your product decision making includes what type of cannabis experience you’re looking for, what your tolerance is, or even your budget. 

No matter what you choose, it is important for every user to understand the products accessible and how to find the best one to meet their cannabis needs.

Related Reads:

Hemp vs Marijuana: The Difference ExplainedDrinks That Will Help You Detox from Marijuana

References: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15927811/ 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/indica-vs-sativa-1123887 

https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/edibles 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
3 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tweet
Share
Reddit