Walking into a well-stocked dispensary for the first time, or even the tenth time, can be overwhelming when you are looking at a full menu of flower, concentrates, and vaporizers. Each format has its own characteristics, and understanding the basics makes it much easier to find something that fits your preference. All products are for adults 21 and older.
Cannabis Flower: The Classic Format
Flower is the dried and cured bud of the cannabis plant, and it is the most familiar format for most people. It can be smoked in a pipe, bong, or rolled into a joint, and it produces effects relatively quickly compared to edibles. Flower offers a wide variety of strains, each with a distinct terpene profile and cannabinoid composition.
Many experienced consumers gravitate toward flower because it offers a direct, unprocessed connection to the plant. Beginners sometimes find it easier to start here because the format allows natural control over how much you consume in a session.
Pre-rolls are also a flower product, they are simply flower that has been ground and rolled in advance, making the format more convenient for those who prefer not to roll their own. Browse our pre-rolls.
Concentrates: Refined and Potent
Concentrates are products that have been processed to isolate or concentrate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant. This category includes wax, shatter, budder, rosin, live resin, distillate, and more. What they share in common is a significantly higher concentration of cannabinoids than raw flower.
Some concentrates, like solventless rosin and ice-water hash, are made using only mechanical methods and preserve much of the plant’s natural terpene profile. Others, like distillate, are highly refined and may have terpenes re-introduced after processing. For a deeper look at the solventless category specifically, see our post on rosin and ice-water hash.
Concentrates are typically consumed using a dab rig or a concentrate-compatible vaporizer. They are generally considered a format for more experienced consumers.
Vaporizers: Portable and Convenient
Vaporizers, commonly called vapes, heat cannabis oil or flower to a temperature that produces vapor rather than smoke. The most common format in dispensaries is the cartridge, a pre-filled oil cartridge that attaches to a battery pen. Disposable all-in-one vaporizers are also widely available.
Vaporizers are popular for their portability and convenience. There is no grinding, rolling, or dabbing required. The effects onset faster than edibles and are more discreet than smoking. Oil cartridges come in a wide variety of strain varieties and formulations, from full-spectrum to distillate-based.
Which Format Is Right for You?
There is no single answer, it depends on your experience level, lifestyle, and what you are looking for. Newer consumers often start with something familiar, like a pre-roll or a low-dose edible. More experienced consumers may explore concentrates or higher-potency vaporizer options.
The budtenders at Canna Care are well-equipped to help you navigate the options. If edibles are on your radar, see our guide: Edibles 101: How to Read a Label and Pick Your Dose. For first-timers, our beginner’s dispensary guide covers what to expect on your first visit.