Field Notes / Products
Choosing the Right Product Type
The product type you choose affects how quickly you feel effects, how long they last, how intense they are, and how discreet your consumption is. There is no single best product type. The right choice depends on your preferences, experience level, and the situation.
If you are new to cannabis, flower, pre-rolls, and low-dose edibles are the most common starting points. Concentrates are best reserved for experienced consumers. Tinctures are ideal if you want precise control over your dose. Vapes offer a good balance of convenience and fast effects.
Flower
The classic cannabis experience
Flower is the dried, cured buds of the cannabis plant. It is the most traditional form of cannabis and remains the most popular product type. Flower is typically smoked in a pipe, bong, or rolled into a joint. It offers the widest variety of strains and the most direct connection to the plant's natural terpene and cannabinoid profile.
Pros
- Widest strain selection available
- Fast onset (1 to 5 minutes)
- Full terpene experience with rich aroma and flavor
- Easy to dose incrementally (one puff at a time)
- Generally the most affordable option per use
Cons
- Requires smoking, which produces smoke and odor
- Requires accessories (pipe, papers, lighter) unless buying pre-rolls
- Shorter duration compared to edibles (1 to 3 hours)
- Not discreet due to smell
Edibles
Long-lasting, no smoking required
Edibles are cannabis-infused foods and beverages, including gummies, chocolates, baked goods, mints, and drinks. THC in edibles is processed through your digestive system, which converts it into a more potent form (11-hydroxy-THC). This is why edibles often produce stronger, longer-lasting effects than smoking the same amount of THC.
Pros
- No smoking or inhalation required
- Long-lasting effects (4 to 8 hours)
- Precise dosing with labeled mg per serving
- Discreet and portable
- Wide variety of flavors and formats
Cons
- Delayed onset (30 minutes to 2 hours)
- Easy to overconsume if you do not wait for effects
- Effects can be more intense and harder to control
- Most are made with distillate, so limited terpene experience
Vapes
Portable, fast-acting, and discreet
Vape products heat cannabis oil to produce vapor rather than smoke. They come as pre-filled cartridges that attach to a battery, or as disposable all-in-one pens. Vapes are available in distillate, live resin, and full-spectrum formulations, each offering different levels of terpene preservation and flavor complexity.
Pros
- Fast onset similar to smoking (1 to 5 minutes)
- More discreet than flower with less odor
- Highly portable and convenient
- No grinding, rolling, or accessories needed
- Live resin options preserve full terpene profiles
Cons
- Battery required (for cartridges)
- Distillate cartridges may lack terpene complexity
- Hardware quality varies between brands
- Cartridges can clog or malfunction occasionally
Pre-Rolls
Ready to smoke, no prep needed
Pre-rolls are joints that come pre-ground and pre-rolled, ready to light. They are the most convenient way to smoke flower without needing to buy accessories or learn to roll. Pre-rolls are available in single joints, multi-packs, and infused varieties that include concentrates for added potency.
Pros
- No preparation required, just light and smoke
- Great for trying new strains without committing to a full jar
- Portable and shareable
- Available in various sizes (half-gram, full-gram, multi-packs)
- Infused options available for higher potency
Cons
- Burns faster than a bowl, using more flower per session
- Cannot control the pack quality as well as rolling your own
- Produces smoke and odor like any flower product
- Not as cost-effective as buying loose flower long-term
Concentrates
Maximum potency for experienced consumers
Concentrates are highly potent cannabis extracts that include wax, shatter, budder, live resin, rosin, and diamonds. They are produced by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, resulting in products that typically range from 60% to 90% THC. Concentrates are consumed by dabbing (vaporizing on a heated surface) or by adding them to flower.
Pros
- Highest potency available
- Live resin and rosin preserve exceptional terpene profiles
- Fast onset when dabbed
- Small amount goes a long way
- Intense flavor with proper low-temperature consumption
Cons
- Not recommended for beginners due to high potency
- Requires specialized equipment for dabbing (dab rig, torch, or e-nail)
- Steep learning curve for proper consumption technique
- Easy to overconsume due to extreme potency
Tinctures
Precise dosing, sublingual delivery
Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts packaged in dropper bottles. They are taken sublingually (under the tongue), where the cannabinoids are absorbed through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream. Tinctures offer the most precise dosing of any product type, making them ideal for people who want consistent, controlled experiences.
Pros
- Most precise dosing with measured dropper
- No smoking or inhalation required
- Moderate onset (15 to 45 minutes sublingual)
- Available in various THC:CBD ratios
- Can also be added to food or beverages
Cons
- Taste can be earthy or strong (some are flavored)
- Effects are less immediate than smoking or vaping
- Smaller product selection compared to flower or edibles
- Requires holding liquid under the tongue for 30 to 60 seconds
Continue Learning
Explore Our Full Selection
Browse our complete product catalog or visit us in Brooklyn. Our budtenders can help you find the product type that fits your lifestyle.
For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of cannabis. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Licensed by New York Office of Cannabis Management.