Which Cannabis Product is Right for Me?
Navigating the world of cannabis can be confusing, especially with the explosion of cannabis product now available on the market. Even if you’ve been around the block before legalization in California, you might wonder where you fit in.
After all, you are familiar with cannabis in its flower form and maybe a baked goodie or two, but chocolates? Rosin? Resin? Even lotions and tablets!
Whether you seek relief with a medical marijuana card or you’re interested in recreational use to throw a party, selecting the right cannabis product is a key step towards a responsible and satisfying experience.
In this article, you can find your perfect match in the diverse world of cannabis. Moreover, our comprehensive guide helps decipher, “Which cannabis product is right for me?” taking into account your lifestyle, health needs, and preferences.
Let’s dive in and start your journey towards pro-cannabis use today!
Understanding Cannabis Product Types
Before you find the right product for you, it’s best to decide what type of product fits your lifestyle. Various forms of cannabis cater to different needs. Though it all comes from the same plant, people often pick their cannabis products based on how and why they plan to use them.
Let’s break down each product type and familiarize yourself with their advantages:
Cannabis Flowers
This is the most traditional form of cannabis. But there are many options behind this seemingly simple label.
Shake
When we break cannabis buds into smaller leaves, those tiny pieces taken from the larger buds are called shake. Best of all, cannabis shake is much cheaper than whole buds, making it a more budget-friendly option for cannabis consumers.
Smalls
Otherwise known as “popcorn buds” or “small buds,” these are the flowers found other than on the main cola. They have a similar flavor profile and effect, but a slightly lower potency than their larger and more perfect cousins.
Top Shelf Buds
Big buds, or “bigs” are the nicest buds produced by the cannabis plant. They’re big, beautiful, flavorful, and potent.
How can you use flower?
- Roll it in a blunt or joint
- Smoke it in a pipe or bong
- Use a dry herb vaporizer
- Cook with it
- Drink it as tea
- DIY tinctures
- DIY cannabis concentrates
Edibles
Edibles are a popular and discreet way to consume cannabis. They come in various food and drink forms.
They are an easy way to carefully measure each dose of cannabis you consume, and for this reason, they’ve become increasingly popular. Most importantly, edibles are packed with a specific amount of THC, CBN, CBD, and other cannabinoids by infusing them with a carefully measured quantity of live rosin or resin.
You can find edibles in many forms, including but not limited to:
Baked Goods
Cookies, brownies, cakes, muffins, and more
Gummies and Candies
Gummies, jellies, candies, mints, and lozenges
Chocolates
Bars, truffles, and chocolate-covered nuts or fruits
Beverages
Teas, hot chocolates, sodas, and even alcoholic drinks like beers and wines
Capsules
Similar to traditional medicine capsules
Cooking Oils and Butter
Can be added to savory dishes, salad dressings, and more.
Although edibles are convenient, parents and grandparents may be less inclined to purchase them over safety concerns. Always be responsible when handling edibles, and make sure to keep them away from other food and candy so that children and unsuspecting adults do not accidentally ingest them!
Extracts and Oils
Extracts and oils are concentrated forms of cannabis that have been extracted from the plant material to isolate specific cannabinoids and terpenes. Above all, these products are known for their potency and versatility, offering a wide range of consumption methods.
Without a doubt, one of the most convenient ways to use extracts is through a disposable vaporizer, vape pen, or e-nail.
Here are some common types of cannabis extracts and oils:
Live Rosin
Rosin, as opposed to resin, is a solventless cannabis concentrate made by pressing a freshly frozen cannabis flower or bubble hash. It retains more of the plant’s natural terpenes and offers a flavorful and aromatic experience without any chemicals!
Resin
Produced by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash to extract the resinous trichomes. It involves the use of solvents to separate the valuable compounds from the plant material.
Hash
Now that we’ve got your attention, let’s talk about hash! They make hash by using various techniques to separate the trichomes from the cannabis plant material. It can be smoked or vaporized and is available in different consistencies.
Shatter
Delving into shatter, this type of cannabis concentrate is known for its glass-like appearance and high potency. It is produced by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes using solvents like butane or CO2.
Wax and Budder
Transitioning to wax and budders, these concentrates have a soft, wax-like consistency and are often produced using solvents. They can be dabbed using a dab rig or vaporized using a concentrate vaporizer.
Oil Cartridges
Moving on to oil cartridges, these pre-filled cartridges contain cannabis distillate or CO2 oil. They are designed to be used with compatible vape pens or vaporizers.
Tinctures
Shifting gears to tinctures, cannabis tinctures are alcohol- or glycerin-based extracts that are consumed orally by placing drops under the tongue.
Edibles and Infused Products
Technically, cannabis edibles are part of the extracts and oils family!
Topicals
Did you know that topicals are any product infused with cannabis that can be absorbed through the skin? Because of its direct application, it’s often used for localized relief from pain, inflammation, or skin conditions.
However, the biggest appeal of topical cannabis products is that they do not provide the ‘high’ associated with other cannabis products.
Recently, topicals are popping up in every form of cosmetic product, and even a few odds and ends like lubrication and bath bombs!
But the most popular topicals are:
- Balm
- Cream
- Lotion
- Serum
- Ointment
- Body oils
Even though you can buy convenient, ready-made topical cannabis products, some people make their own unique topicals. In fact, our manager, Lorena, loves to mix them with her favorite moisturizers at home.
Cannabis Dosage: Start Low and Go Slow
If you’re new to cannabis, remember the golden rule: start low and go slow. We know you’re excited to dive in, but this approach minimizes potential side effects and ensures a comfortable experience.
Personalizing Your Cannabis Experience in SF, California
When choosing which cannabis product is right for me, it’s essential to consider the desired experience you want to achieve, whether it’s
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
- Mood elevation
- Better sleep
However, cannabis strains are often categorized into indica, sativa, and hybrid varieties. But these labels only scratch the surface of the plant’s potential effects.
Despite the way cannabis products market themselves, terpene levels play a crucial role in determining how a cannabis strain affects you. If you do not already know, terpenes are aromatic compounds we find in cannabis and many other plants. And they are responsible for the distinct flavors and aromas that you associate with different strains.
Moreover, they also interact with cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, to create a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect,” which can significantly influence your overall experience.
Receive More Guidance to Find Which Cannabis Product is Right for Me
For a more in-depth understanding of how strains and terpenes impact your cannabis experience, check out our Sativa Summer Guide or speak with one of our knowledgeable budtenders today!
Our staff is ready to help you choose the best cannabis product for your individual needs.
To sum up, you should consider both the strain’s classification (Indica, Sativa, or hybrid) and the terpene profile.
Why?
Because this allows you to tailor your cannabis experience! In addition, terpene profiles can help you find cannabis products to better suit your needs, whether you want to smoke before bedtime or find pain relief.
As always, when trying a new strain or product, pay attention to how your body and mind is responding. By picking up on these clues, it helps you find the ideal cannabis product for your unique biology.
Are you ready start browse hundreds of cannabis products at MediThrive in San Francisco, California? If so, our cannabis dispensary has hundreds of fresh cannabis products just for you.
