ultimate guide to cannabis
Everything you need to know about cannabis products
Everything you need to know about cannabis products
Product types
RESOURCES
edibles
Each product is clearly labeled with its THC and CBD content in milligrams, both per package and per serving.
Read labels and dose carefully. New consumers should start with 2-5mg of THC. Wait two hours to assess the full effect before taking more.
Edibles can take from 30–120 minutes to take effect, and the effect can last 4-12 hours. An empty stomach decreases time to onset and increases intensity.
Edibles are food and beverages infused with cannabis, and can also take the form of capsules. They provide a healthy and discreet way to consume cannabis, but have a longer and more intense effect than inhaled cannabis.
Edibles should be used with caution: “start low and go slow,” consume cannabis safely and avoid over-consumption.
Each product is clearly labeled with its THC and CBD content in milligrams, both per package and per serving.
flower
Flower can be smoked through a pipe, bong, or joint. It can also be vaporized through a variety of accessories.
You can purchase flower by weight: eighth, quarter, half or ounce and also strain. (An eighth = 3.5 grams; quarter = 7, half ounce = 14, an ounce = 28.5 grams)
Under current California state law, adult-use customers can legally buy up to one ounce of flower per day.
Flower is the trimmed and cured bud of a female cannabis plant. As with wine grapes, there are different varietals of cannabis flowers, which we call strains. Each strain has a unique flavor and combination of active ingredients, and provides a subtly different effect. Exploring different strains is one of the real joys of cannabis consumption.
Most people look at the strain name, plant type (indica/sativa), potency (THC/CBD content), and terpene profiles when buying flower. Flower is sold by strain and weight. Under current California state law, individuals can legally buy one ounce of flower per day.
When you visit the dispensary and have decided what you’d like to buy, say something like, “I’ll take an eighth of Red Congolese.” That’s it! Easy, right?
PRE-ROLLS
Pre-rolls typically come in one-gram or half-gram sizes, are sold individually and in multi-packs, and feature different strains and blends.
Price varies by the size and number of pre-rolls, and the quality of the cannabis inside them.
Check the package information for THC and CBD content, which varies among different brands and strains.
Pre-rolls are joints filled with cannabis flower. They are also sometimes enhanced with cannabis concentrates. Pre-rolls provide the most traditional way to enjoy cannabis, without the messy rolling.
VAPE PENS
Vape pens and cartridges are sold by strain, extract type, plant category and potency. Some brands claim specific effects but these claims are not evidence based.
THC and CBD levels are listed on the package, usually in percentages or ratios.
Vape pens are an easy way to control your cannabis intake, particularly if you’re interested in microdosing. In fact, some vape pens come with a built-in indicator to help ensure a reliable dose with each use.
Vape pens are a convenient and discreet way to consume cannabis. They gently heat cannabis extracts, such as rosin or live resin, to the point of vaporization, without combusting.
The effect onset is immediate and gradually trails off over two to three hours—a shorter duration than pre-rolls and flower and without the smoke, ash or strong odor.
Some vape pens are pre-charged and disposable; others offer rechargeable batteries and interchangeable cartridges.
TOPICALS
Topical products are not intended to produce the psychoactive effect usually associated with more typical ways of consuming cannabis.
THC and CBD amounts are usually indicated in a ratio on topical products.
Some topicals are formulated to create a hot or cold sensation when applied to the skin.
Topicals are cannabis products that are applied directly to the skin, including balms, creams, salves, lubricants and transdermal patches. They soothe both the skin and muscles, and come in a variety of textures and aromas.
They are usually rich in CBD, which powerful anti-inflammatory. The only topical that provides psychoactive effect is the transdermal patch, and then only if it contains THC.
tinctures & sublinguals
Many tinctures are CBD-rich, but some contain THC. Read the label carefully and follow consumption instructions. Remember to go low and slow at first.
Taken sublingually, tinctures are a great alternative to inhaled cannabis. They have almost the same effect profile, without the wear and tear on your lungs.
Tinctures are discreet. Nobody needs to know what’s in the little bottle—unless you tell them.
Tinctures are made by infusing cannabinoids into alcohol, coconut oil or vinegar. They are a low-cost, discreet and flexible way to ingest cannabis.
Dropped under the tongue, their effect is similar to inhaled cannabis, with almost immediate onset. When swallowed with a beverage, the effect is similar to edibles: onset takes up to one hour, and effect can last six hours or longer. Brands such as Mary’s Medicinals formulate tinctures and sublinguals with optimal bioavailability in mind.
CONCEntrates & extracts
Due to their high potency, concentrates are often reserved for a more experienced cannabis consumer.
By current California state law, adult-use customers are allowed to buy up to 8 grams of concentrates per day.
Cannabis concentrates are usually consumed through a portable device or stationary “dab” rig that vaporizes the concentrate at very high temperatures. They can also be mixed with flower to supercharge a bowl or pre-roll.
Cannabis concentrates are several times stronger than cannabis flowers. They are made by separating the tiny crystals that sit on the surface of the plant—trichomes— from the underlying, inert vegetable material.
Most concentrates are made with solvents like butane, but some are made simply with heat, pressure and water.
Concentrates can be found in many different forms including shatter, wax, rosin and sauce. All concentrates at Harborside have been rigorously tested to ensure they are free of any residual solvents.
Cannabis concentrates are usually consumed through a portable device or stationary rig (or “dab rig”) that vaporizes the concentrate at very high temperatures. Concentrates can also be mixed with flower to supercharge a bowl or pre-roll.
Ask your Harborside Cannabis Consultant if a concentrate or extract is right for you.
Clones: Growing your own flower
Many tinctures are CBD-rich, but some contain THC. Read the label carefully and follow consumption instructions. Remember to go low and slow at first.
Clones require special care and nurturing to flourish into full grown plants, including specific soil, controlled light, temperature and water, and more. A Harborside Cultivation Expert can provide information to get you started.
Cultivating plants from clones instead of seeds saves time since there is no waiting for seeds to germinate. If you prefer to start from scratch, Harborside sells seeds, too!
If you’ve got an interest in cannabis cultivation (and a green thumb), Harborside offers a large selection of clones (immature plants) for purchase, sourced from Northern California’s most respected nurseries.
A cannabis clone is exactly what it sounds like—a cutting from the parent plant that has genetic information that is identical to that parent. That means you’ll already know the gender, strain and what to expect with regards to potency, yield and other genetic information.
Our team offers advice on growing cannabis, including how to grow cannabis indoors and how to grow cannabis outdoors.