People have long enjoyed the therapeutic and euphoric experiences cannabis can offer. Now more than ever, recent research and evidence support the seemingly limitless beneficial effects of our favorite plant.
Thus, it’s no surprise that a wide range of cannabis products have emerged, from ancient standards to modern delicacies. As cannabis pioneers are steadily creating a constant stream of wonderful cannabis products, your friends at the Dank Budz collective are here to indulge and inform.
Walk into your favorite dispensary and you’ll undoubtedly find a broad selection of most forms of cannabis products. To make things simpler for you, we’ve created a list of types of cannabis products, categorized based on how they are derived and consumed. We’ve described each of the major cannabis products in detail so that you can make your next dispensary trip smooth and satisfying. It’s all part of our primary mission—to provide some critical education to the broader cannabis community and make cannabis accessible for all.
Cannabis Flower
Of all the types of cannabis, cannabis flower is undoubtedly the most recognizable for most people. Flower is simply the flowering portion of the cannabis plant that has been dried and broken down into buds. Cannabis flower can be crumbled or ground and smoked in a joint, blunt, hand pipe, water pipe, or another smoking apparatus. It can also be vaporized in a dry herb vaporizer or even decarboxylated (activated) and used to create homemade cannabis edibles.
Flower contains high concentrations of vital cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and more. It also boasts high levels of terpenes, compounds responsible for producing that signature cannabis aroma and flavor. Together, these compounds interact with one another as well as the body’s cannabinoid receptors to produce the euphoric or therapeutic effects cannabis is known for.
Popcorn Flower
Popcorn flower refers to smaller buds that have been broken away from the larger cannabis bud. They are about the size and shape of popcorn—hence, the name. Popcorn flower is often smoked and can be broken down to roll joints or load into pipes.
Loose Flower
Loose flower refers to dried buds from the cannabis plant that have been further refined. In other words, loose flower has been cured and trimmed and is ready for consumption. It is often rolled into joints or smoked in a pipe, water pipe, or blunt. Loose flower is also popular for use in cannabis edible recipes.
Ground Flower
Ground flower is the same strain-specific flower as loose flower, but ground more finely. There may be an occasional leaf or stem, but the spectrum of aromas and colors is diverse. It is typically used for vaporizing, though it can be used for cooking or smoking like other dried flower products.
Pre-Rolls
Pre-rolls are exactly what they sound like—pre-rolled joints of loose or ground flower. Pre-rolls are rolled ahead of time using premium flower, packaged, and sold in your local dispensary. These products come in an array of cultivars depending on your region and the growers your dispensary features. Packs typically contain anywhere from one to five pre-rolled joints. A pre-roll is perfect whether you’re smoking alone or with friends, as it can be extinguished, then re-lit and smoked on a few occasions.
Cannabis Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates come in many forms, including oils, extracts, hash, dabs, and more. The cannabinoid-rich portions of the plant are exposed to either a solvent or heat and pressure, extracting the most beneficial components from the plant matter. The cannabis effects achieved by consuming concentrates are typically intense and fast-acting. They are commonly sold as raw extracts, refined extracts, prefilled cartridges, or pods that are made for simple, mess-free vaping or dabbing.
A Note About Solvent-Free vs. Solventless Concentrates
There are many different forms of cannabis concentrates, as well as consistencies, textures, styles, and colors. However, they are made using one of two processes—solvent-free or solventless. Contrary to widely held belief, solvent-free concentrates use a solvent (typically alcohol, carbon dioxide, or a hydrocarbon like butane) to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant matter. The solvent is then purged, leaving only the desired components.
In solventless concentrates, no solvent is used at any point in the process. Instead, ice, pressure, heat, or a combination of these techniques are used to separate the desired compounds from the bulk of the plant matter.
Dabbing
Dabbing, also called doing a dab, is a form of cannabis consumption that instantly vaporizes a “dab” of a cannabis concentrate on a super-heated surface referred to as a nail or banger. The user heats the nail, places the dab, then inhales the resulting vapor.
This form of consumption is popular because it offers a potent dose of highly concentrated, flavorful cannabinoids and terpenes.
Dabbing offers a customizable user experience. That’s why it’s such a popular form of cannabis for seasoned and veteran users looking for a potent cannabis experience. The following concentrates are often used for dabbing. Each is derived from cannabis and/or prepared for consumption in its own unique way.
- Live Concentrate – Live concentrates are “live” because they are created using flash-frozen, fresh flower instead of dried flower. The frozen fresh flower is exposed to a solvent to separate cannabinoids and terpenes, which are present in higher concentrations since the dry-cure phase was skipped.
- Live Sugar – This product is created using a solvent to collect the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, then placed in a vacuum under low pressure and heat. Midsized THCA crystals collect, forming a damp, brown-sugar-like substance perfect for dabbing.
- Sauce – This solvent-based extract is purged for days or even weeks at a time, creating a thick, saucy consistency. Cannabinoid-rich crystals sink to the bottom, and though they are separated before the solvent is removed, they are mixed back in to create the final sugar-sauce product.
- THC Diamonds – These large crystals of cannabinoids gather in sugar or sauce and can be dabbed individually. Alternatively, some people choose to crush them and sprinkle them atop dried flower.
- Wax – Cannabis wax is created by agitating the solution during the extraction process, which semi-solidifies the cannabis oils to a wax-like consistency. It is created at relatively low heat.
- Crumble – This product is a wax that is exposed to less moisture and more agitation during the extraction process. It has a drier, more crumbly texture that can be dabbed or added to flower.
- Shatter – This product is created by pouring solvent-based cannabis extract onto a slab before purging the excess solvent. As it is not agitated, the product is a brittle consistency that shatters when handled.
- Budder – Cannabis budder is created by melting down shatter and whipping it to create a unique texture. Budder’s butter-like consistency is ideal for dabbing.
- Badder – Cannabis badder is also made from melted shatter, which is then agitated to create a runnier, cake-batter-like consistency.
- Rosin – Unlike most of the other extracts on this list, rosin is created without the use of solvents. Instead, it is created by exposing flower to heat and pressure, extracting a thick, dabbable sap.
- Jelly – This dabbable concentrate is made with a mixture of hash (concentrated resinous flower extract) and hash oil. Together, they form a jelly-like consistency.
Distillate
A distillate cannabis concentrate is a fully versatile means of cannabis consumption. It can be used orally with a dropper, but it is more commonly vaporized. Distillate is largely flavorless, so it is also sometimes used in cooking, used to create cannabis edibles, and infused into cannabis topicals. No matter the method, distillate is a potent cannabis product that offers a rapid onset of effects for users. Consequently, it is revered for its ability to provide systematic relief and intense psychoactive effects.
Live Resin
Liquid live resins are considered one of the most premium forms of cannabis. Live resin products are typically labeled as such and can be used to create other live products. Liquid live resins better preserve strain characteristics, encompass a higher potency than other cannabis products, and features top-shelf flavor and quality. While live resin can be dabbed, it is most often vaped.
Kief
This unique form of concentrate is often referred to as “natural cannabis concentrate” because the plant forms this concentrate on its own. Each cannabis bud is covered with millions of resinous hairs known as trichomes, which form crystals on the surface of the bud. When ground, cannabis flower releases this kief, which is then sifted through to the bottom of the grinder. You can sprinkle kief over a bowl or joint to add potency.
Moon Rocks
Moon rocks are a unique cannabis product designed to front-load as much THC as possible. A premium cannabis bud is soaked in hash oil, then dipped in kief, resulting in a product that often approaches 50% THC for an out-of-this-world cannabis session. Moon rocks are designed to be smoked, typically with a glass hand pipe or water pipe.
Cannabis Vapes
Cannabis vapes are a popular form of cannabis consumption because they are simple to use, discreet, and require no prep or cleanup. Vapes are also extremely practical because they make it simple to monitor your intake. Then, the portable vape pen can be tucked back where it came from.
The liquid inside vape pens, cartridges, and pods is typically an alcohol-based tincture or solvent-extracted oil high in desirable cannabinoids and terpenes. Creators often add flavors that pair well with the terpene profile to create a custom cannabis experience. The flavorful punch, convenience, and immediate effects make vapes a wonderful way to consume cannabis.
Two types of vape pens have emerged as the industry standard for consumption in this manner—disposable vape pens and reusable battery/cartridge or pod combination pens.
Reusable Vape Pens
Vape cartridges (carts) or pods attach to a standard-sized battery which houses the control buttons and other features. The cartridge is disposable; the battery gets reused. Vape batteries can be extremely simple, with only an indicator light and a hit button, or extremely complex, with several controls to customize vaporization.
Disposable Vape Pens
This product is a one-piece vape cartridge and battery in one. It is fully disposable. Like reusable vapes, disposables come in a wide variety of concentrations, flavors, and effects.
Cannabis Oral Products
Cannabis oral products come in a variety of forms, including pills, tinctures, oils, sprays, edibles, and more. These products can be consumed discreetly, no matter your location. The effects of oral cannabis products can be felt anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours after consumption, depending on how they are administered. Most oral products are not only popular for their convenience and discreet nature but also because they provide long-lasting effects.
Tinctures
Tinctures are cannabis extracts created by dissolving plant material in alcohol. Like capsules, tinctures are discreet and can be fast-acting. Tinctures most often come in droppers or sprays and are delivered orally or added to food or drinks.
Cannabis Capsules
Cannabis capsules are designed to align with your own personal wellness program, as they don’t require smoking or vaping and can be taken along with other vitamins and supplements when desired. Capsules are also supremely easy to dose. Many capsule-style cannabis products are formulated specifically to create certain effects or address specific ailments.
RSO
RSO, or Rick Simpson Oil, is a very dark, concentrated oil that is very high in THC. Its creator, Rick Simpson, extracted the oil from plant matter that involved the whole plant, preserving as many cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids as possible. While it is considered a concentrate, it’s not meant to be vaporized or smoked. Instead, RSO is typically taken straight from the dropper. We recommend introducing RSO slowly over five to 12 weeks because of its high potency. When consumed orally, RSO is five times more psychoactive than other oils. It can also be added to food, used as a tincture, or taken in pill form.
Cannabis Edibles
Cannabis edibles come in an array of products, from the widely known gummies and candies to the lesser-known butters, cooking oils, and even drinks. The options for readymade baked goods are also expanding, with cookies, muffins, doughnuts, pretzels, cupcakes, and more emerging alongside the traditional cannabis brownie.
However, the most popular cannabis edibles are sweets.
- Cannabis Chocolates—Cannabis chocolates can be found in many flavors, including mint chocolate, dark chocolate, and even white chocolate. These classic treats are available in a variety of forms, including wrapped chocolates, chocolate drops, and bars.
- Cannabis Gummies—Cannabis gummies have become somewhat symbolic of cannabis edibles. They are made with a variety of different types of cannabis and produce a wide range of effects. Gummies are convenient, discreet, fun, and easy to dose. You’ll find hash drops, tinned gummies, shaped gummies, and even sweet and sour varieties.
- Cannabis Candies—Hard candies are another popular way to consume cannabis. From mints and cinnamon drops to tablets and suckers, hard candies are simple to dose and even simpler to consume.
Sublinguals
Many forms of oral cannabis products are taken sublingually. Sublingual administration involves holding a cannabis product under the tongue, where it can be absorbed through the thin skin there and into the bloodstream. Tablets that are meant to dissolve in the mouth, liquid drops, and tinctures, for example, can all be used sublingually. The effects of sublinguals can be felt in as little as 15 minutes because they bypass the digestive system. Meanwhile, ingesting the same product can mean you need to wait 30 minutes to two hours to feel the effects.
Cannabis Inhalers
Cannabis inhalers straddle the line between an oral product and a vape. Inhalers offer a controlled dose of isolated cannabinoids, discreetly deliverable via a familiar device that many users are already familiar with—the inhaler. Medical-grade propellant delivers THC/CBD straight into the lungs. This method of delivery provides an immediate onset of effects. It also improves the bioavailability of cannabinoids and allows for controlled, metered intake.
Cannabis Topicals
Cannabis topicals, such as lotions, creams, ointments, gels, sprays, and even personal lubricants, are cannabis-infused products that have localized effects when applied directly to the skin. They are typically non-intoxicating and used for inflammation, sore muscles, and localized pain.
Topical cannabis is extremely unlikely to provide a psychoactive effect like other cannabis products. Some other topicals include bath salt soaks made with cannabis oil-infused ingredients and pain relief balm.
Cannabis topicals are ideal for localized pain because cannabinoids are fat-soluble and are absorbed into the top skin layers. However, unless you are using a transdermal patch, cannabinoids do not reach the bloodstream.
Cannabis Transdermals
Cannabis transdermals use nano-encapsulation technology to deliver the fat-soluble cannabinoids into the water-based environment of the bloodstream, where they can be absorbed. These are then capable of full-body effects products deliver full-body effects.
Cerebral effects are less intense than with edibles or smoking, so they are great for those who are seeking whole-body, therapeutic effects like generalized pain relief. Transdermals are typically available as a patch infused with gel.
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While dispensary and online menus change frequently, the above products are typically available at most reputable dispensaries. No matter how you choose to shop, make sure to choose a location with staff that is happy to answer questions from the local cannabis community. If you’d like more information about cannabis forms or the products on the market today, subscribe to the Dank Budz blog for updates.
