As cannabis continues to gain legal approval, dispensaries have become a hub for individuals seeking cannabis products safely.
From traditional buds to innovative topicals, dispensaries have something for every consumer preference.
In this article, we will go over six different types of cannabis products commonly found at dispensaries and provide insight into their uses.
1) Flower
Raw cannabis flower, also known as bud, is by far the most common marijuana product purchased at dispensaries. You can find THC, CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 10 variations of the flower, each of which provides the consumer with a different experience.
Flower is typically ground into pieces and smoked out of a rolling paper, blunt wrap, or pipe. You can also use the buds to create your own edibles.
2) Edibles
Edibles are food products that have been infused with cannabinoids or cannabis extracts. Consuming cannabis through food provides a different high than when smoked. Many individuals prefer the effects of edibles because they are more relaxing and last longer.
Edibles come in various forms such as:
- Baked goods like cookies, brownies, and pastries
- Candies like chocolate and suckers
- Savory snacks like chips
- Beverages like soda and tea
- Gummies
When eating edibles, it can be easy to get carried away and eat more than one serving, especially when they don’t kick in right away. Some edibles can take up to two hours to feel the effects. It is important to follow dosage instructions and only eat the suggested amount. Getting too high from edibles can result in hallucinations, restlessness, and paranoia that last far beyond the smoking high you may be used to.
3) Tinctures
Tinctures are liquid extracts that are typically taken sublingually (under the tongue). Tinctures are made by soaking cannabis buds and other plant material in a solvent such as alcohol or glycerin. This extracts cannabinoids such as THC and CBD from the plant.
Many people prefer to consume tincture because it is easy to administer, absorbs rapidly, and provides an easier way to control the dosage.
Another way to use a tincture is by dropping it into a drink or on top of food. Regardless of how you use your tincture, the onset time remains the same- about 15-20 minutes.
Finding the right dose can be tricky at first, so it’s best to take half of the recommended dose every 20-30 minutes until you receive the desired effect.
4) Concentrates
Concentrates are a group of highly potent cannabis extracts. Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD levels in concentrates are up to %90 higher than in your typical marijuana products.
Examples of concentrates include:
- Hashish or hash- Hash is one of the oldest forms of cannabis concentrate and is created by separating the plant’s resinous trichomes from the plant matter.
- Kief- Kief is an accumulation of resinous trichomes and can be gathered from the plant in a few ways. You can purchase it after being mechanically separated or sifted in a grinder.
- Shatter- Shatter is a brittle, glass-like substance that is extracted using solvents like butane or CO2.
- Rosin- Rosin is a solventless concentrate that is created by applying heat and extreme pressure to cannabis plant matter or hash. The combination of heat and pressure releases the plant’s natural oils.
There are many other forms of concentrates available, all of which primarily serve the same purpose but in alternate malleability and consistency.
5) Topicals
Cannabis topicals are products that are applied to the skin externally to relieve symptoms like pain, inflammation, and muscle soreness. Topicals are non-psychoactive, meaning they don’t get you high.
The most popular topical products are infused lotions and creams, oils, patches, balms, salves, sprays, and bath products like bath bombs. Once a topical has been applied, you may feel them start to kick in after a few minutes, and the effects typically last for about two hours.
Topicals are great because they can offer localized relief to those who are not interested in ingesting other cannabis products.
6) Paraphernalia
Dispensaries also sell the tools and paraphernalia needed to consume cannabis products.
Examples of these items include:
- Pipes- These come in wood, glass, metal, and silicone and are used to smoke flower.
- Bongs- Bongs are similar to bowls but have a water chamber that filters smoke on the inhale, providing a smoother hit.
- Vaporizers- Vapes can be used to smoke flower or concentrate and work by heating the material to a temperature that produces vapor instead of smoke.
- Dab rigs- Dab rigs are special water pipes used to heat concentrates.
- Rolling papers and blunt wraps-These are used to roll your own hand-held joints and blunts. Papers and blunt wraps are typically made from rice paper or hemp.
- Grinders- Grinders are used to break up cannabis plant matter into more manageable pieces.
The products available at each dispensary will vary; however, the items listed above are quite common and should be easy to find. Additional items you might find at a dispensary include live plants, seeds, deodorizing sprays, ashtrays, lighters, and storage containers. Here, you can find a list of dispensaries close to you and check out their websites for specific products.
