The legalization of cannabis plants such as hemp and marijuana in many states has led to a growing curiosity surrounding cannabis products in recent years. According to Gallup, 50% of Americans have already tried cannabis products at some point in their lives and many more wish to try it.

Hundreds of brands pop up each year with various products, from smokables and edibles to drinkables and topicals, making it ever more confusing and overwhelming for beginners to choose something suitable. This blog covers everything you need to know about consuming different types of cannabis products. Let’s dive in!

Ways of Using Cannabis Products

Smoking/Vaping/Bong

Cannabis products come in various forms and it’s essential to know about each as different modes of consumption take effect differently. For example, smoking hemp flower is one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of this cannabis plant as it allows the cannabinoids to enter your system within 10 minutes. The same applies to vaping and hitting the bong.

Orally

Many people who dislike smoking prefer to take cannabis either orally, sublingually, or topically. Oral methods of consumption take longer to take effect than other methods as the product has to travel through the digestive system and be broken down before it can enter the bloodstream. The effects of oral consumption are also sustained for longer than vaping or smoking.

Sublingually

The sublingual method of consuming cannabis is also a popular way to enjoy faster results without inhaling smoke or vapors. Oils, tinctures, sprays, dissolvable strips, and other such sublingual solutions are made to be absorbed under the tongue where there’s a rich network of blood vessels, allowing the cannabinoids to bypass the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream quickly. This also allows for a more precise dosage than smoking/vaping.

Topically

Many cannabis products can be applied directly to the skin for localized pain relief. These include patches, salves, creams, balms, lotions, and gels. Bioavailability is a concern for many as our skin is less permeable than mucous membranes, but a 2015 study on rats discovered that applying concentrated CBD gel indeed offered relief from swelling and pain in the joints. This means that if you wish to use topical products you’ll need to choose one with a high amount of CBD or THC in it.

Types of Cannabis Products

We’ve discussed the broad categories of cannabis products and their consumption methods already. Now, let’s talk about each one individually so you can choose the most optimal one for your needs, whether it’s medicinal or recreational. Remember to consult your physician to figure out your dosage and rule out any allergies before you start using any cannabis product!

Flower

Smoking the flower is one of the most traditional ways of enjoying the benefits of cannabis plants but you can also use the flower for making edibles, extracting the oil, steeping it into tea, and many other purposes. The flower also happens to be among the most widely available cannabis products in the market and comes in a wide range of varieties boasting different cannabinoid profiles and flavors. 

Cannabis flower is available in two types, tops and smalls. The top flower offers better aesthetics and many believe it offers better effects, however, the small buds are just as effective while also being lighter on the wallet. One significant reason why many choose cannabis flower is that it allows them to customize their experience and achieve their desired effects whether it’s relaxation, a burst of energy, or calm focus.

Preroll

According to Headset, prerolls are the third largest product category after flower and vape. A preroll is nothing but cannabis flower that has been rolled into a ready-to-smoke joint. Rolling a joint yourself or packing it in a bong isn’t a difficult skill to acquire, however, not everyone wants to or can do it all the time. 

If you want the convenience of being able to consume cannabis on the go without having to carry a herb grinder and rolling paper everywhere, preroll is an ideal choice. Similar to the flower, you can choose prerolls that contain different cultivars or varieties of cannabis to finetune your experience.

Trim

The excess part of the plant such as the stem and leaves that are remaining after the flower is harvested is known as trim. They’re less potent than the flower but still contain powerful cannabinoids and terpenes, making them useful for making homemade cannabis products such as oils, edibles, and tinctures. You can also buy trim at a fraction of the cost of the flower.

Oil/Tincture

After flower, cannabis oils and tinctures are some of the most popular products in the market due to their ease of use and versatility. They’re extremely potent and you can adjust the dosage with high precision, which is why they’re favored by frequent users. You can consume oils and tinctures sublingually or add them to food and beverages. Many people prefer the latter as these products have a very distinct taste that can be unsavory if you’re not used to it.

Edibles

Gummies, baked goods, drinkables, and other such edibles are by far some of the most beginner-friendly cannabis products. They’re portable and discrete, so you can enjoy your daily dose of cannabis even when you’re out in public, and they taste great. Edibles take longer to come into effect but the experience is more intense and long-lasting as well. It can take up to 2 hours to work so starting with smaller portions is vital.

Patches/Salves

Patches and salves are topical methods that are typically used for medicinal purposes such as relief from sore muscles after your morning/evening workout or aching joints. They’re spot treatments that offer localized relief. You can also find beauty products such as creams and lotions infused with cannabis, however, their effectiveness is completely dependent on the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes present.

Candles, Bath Bombs, and More

Besides the popular options, you’ll also find many novelty products such as candles, bath bombs, and essential oils infused with cannabis. However, it’s widely believed that such products are gimmicky and have no therapeutic value as the concentration of cannabinoids is too low for them to have any noticeable effects. Even the ones with high concentrations become diluted once exposed to the air. Although, feel free to try them out as part of a relaxing bath routine to see if they work for you.

What to Know Before Choosing a Cannabis Product

There are two more things you need to know before you go to your nearest cannabis dispensary or start shopping for cannabis products online, and that is the cultivar and type of extract.

Cultivar

Cannabis plants come in many cultivars, also referred to as strains or varieties, that differ from each other in their composition, effects, and flavors. They’re broadly categorized as Sativa, Indica, and hybrid which are bred by crossing different cultivars. 

Sativa cultivars are known for their uplifting effects whereas Indica ones are known for their relaxing effects. Hybrid cultivars typically have calming and focusing effects but they can vary depending on the parent varieties as well as the user’s physiology.

Type of Extract

Hemp flower products are further divided into three categories, full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate depending on the type of extract being used. The reason many people choose the flower, prerolls, or trim is that they’re full-spectrum i.e, they contain all the original compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavinoids of the plant that work synergistically, resulting in an effect known as the “entourage effect” which offers maximum benefits. 

Broad-spectrum hemp flower products contain most compounds of the plant except for THC, which has to be less than 0.3% for it to be legal. While full-spectrum products have less than 0.3% THC, broad-spectrum ones are entirely free of it. As for CBD isolates, they contain no other compounds other than CBD. 

Wrapping Up

Cannabis products are abundant in number, which can be overwhelming if you’re just getting started, but it also makes it easier to find a product that will align with your personal needs and preferences. Remember to use them responsibly and make sure to consult your doctor to ensure you’re getting the results you desire without any unwanted effects.