There’s way more to cannabis than traditional dried flower. According to Health Canada’s 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey, flower remains the most used cannabis product at 63%, but edibles aren’t far behind at 55%, followed by vape pens and cartridges at 37%. Other consumption methods like oils, concentrates, topicals, and beverages are also increasing in popularity.
With so many different types of weed available, knowing what to choose isn’t always straightforward. Each product has its own advantages and can vary in how it’s consumed, how quickly the effects begin, how long they last, and the type of experience it provides.
There isn’t one cannabis product that’s better than the rest. Some people prefer the familiarity and fast effects of flower, while others choose edibles for a longer-lasting experience or vapes for convenience and portability.
This guide breaks down the most common types of weed products, so you can understand your options and decide what works best for you.
Understanding Different Types of Weed Products
Cannabis comes in many forms, but most products fall into six main categories:
- Flower
- Edibles
- Vapes
- Oils
- Concentrates
- CBD products
When comparing your options, there are a few practical differences worth considering:
- Onset: How quickly do you want to feel the effects?
- Duration: How long do you want the experience to last?
- Consumption: Do you prefer smoking, vaping, eating, drinking, or another method?
- Cannabinoids: Are you looking for THC, CBD, or a combination of both?
- Experience level: Are you new to cannabis or comfortable with more potent products?
We’ll use these factors to compare the different types of weed products below, along with the pros and considerations of each.
Flower
Flower is the dried cannabis bud that most people picture when they think of marijuana. It’s one of the oldest and most widely used cannabis products, and can be smoked in joints, pipes, bongs, or used with a dry herb vaporizer.
Many consumers choose flower because it offers one of the largest selections of strains, cannabinoid profiles, and potency levels. Whether you’re looking for something THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, or somewhere in between, there’s plenty of variety to explore.
The main benefits of flower include:
- Fast-acting effects
- Wide variety of strains and potency levels
- More control over consumption one inhale at a time
- Available as loose flower or convenient pre-rolls
Flower does require smoking or using a vape, which may not appeal to everyone. It also produces a noticeable cannabis smell, and while the effects begin relatively quickly, they generally don’t last as long as edibles.
If you’re still learning about strains and how they can influence your experience, check out our guide to Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid.
Edibles
Edibles are cannabis-infused food and drink products, such as gummies, chocolates, baked goods, beverages, capsules, and mints.
Unlike flower or vapes, edibles need to pass through the digestive system before cannabinoids enter the bloodstream. This is why they usually take longer to kick in, but also why the effects tend to last much longer.
Many consumers prefer edibles because they’re smoke-free, discreet, and available in a wide variety of flavours, formats, and serving sizes.
Some of the main benefits of edibles include:
- Longer-lasting effects
- No smoking or vaping required
- Easy to portion with clearly labelled serving sizes
- Wide variety of flavours and formats
Since edibles take longer to kick in, patience is important. Consuming another serving too soon can lead to a stronger experience than intended. It’s also important to check the serving size, as a single package may contain multiple doses.
Read our guide on how long edibles last to understand onset times, duration, dosage, and common beginner mistakes.
Vapes
Vapes heat cannabis oil instead of burning flower, allowing consumers to inhale cannabinoids without combustion. They’re available as disposable vape pens or cartridges that connect to a battery.
Vapes offer a faster onset like flower, but in a more compact and discreet format. They also produce little to no odour, making them a convenient option for folks who want something quick and portable.
The benefits of vaping cannabis include:
- Fast-acting effects
- Compact and portable design
- Less lingering odour than smoking flower
- Little preparation required before use
Vapes require either a disposable device or a compatible battery, depending on the product. Their effects also generally don’t last as long as edibles, so consumers looking for a longer-lasting experience may prefer another format.
Oils
Cannabis oils are liquid extracts that can contain THC, CBD, or a combination of both cannabinoids. They’re typically taken under the tongue using a dropper, although some oils can also be added to food or drinks depending on the product.
Oils offer a simple, smoke-free option that’s easy to measure. They also provide more flexibility over dosage, making it easier to gradually adjust how much you consume.
The main benefits of cannabis oils include:
- Easy to measure and adjust dosage
- No smoking or vaping required
- Available in THC, CBD, and balanced formulas
- Discreet and convenient to use
How quickly an oil takes effect depends partly on how it’s consumed. Oils taken under the tongue generally takes effect sooner than those swallowed or added to food, which have to pass through the digestive system. Always follow the directions for the specific product you’re using.
To learn more about cannabinoids, our guide to THC vs. CBD explains how these compounds differ and how they can influence the cannabis experience.
Concentrates
Concentrates are cannabis extracts that contain much higher concentrations of cannabinoids than many other weed products. Common types include shatter, wax, live resin, hash, and rosin.
Concentrates tend to provide a more potent experience in smaller amounts. Different extraction methods also produce a wide variety of textures, flavours, and cannabinoid profiles, giving more experienced consumers plenty of options to explore.
The advantages of using concentrates include:
- Higher potency than many other cannabis products
- Smaller amounts can produce noticeable effects
- Wide variety of extract types and consistencies
- Fast-acting when dabbed or vaporized
Concentrates contain significantly higher THC levels than flower, so dosage is particularly important. They’re generally recommended for experienced user who’re already familiar with how cannabis affects them and are comfortable with higher-potency products.
CBD Products
Unlike the other categories on this list, CBD isn’t a specific consumption method. CBD products are cannabis products that focus primarily on cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid that’s generally considered non-intoxicating.
CBD can be found in many formats, including oils, capsules, gummies, beverages, topicals, vapes, and flower.
Consumers tend to choose CBD-dominant products when they want the benefits of cannabis without the more psychoactive effects associated with THC. Others prefer the subtler experience or choose products that combine CBD and THC for a more balanced effect.
The benefits of CBD products include:
- Generally non-intoxicating effects
- Available in many different product formats
- Offers a subtler alternative to THC-dominant products
- Can be used on its own or alongside THC
Not every CBD product is THC-free. Some contain both cannabinoids in different ratios, so checking the label is important. A CBD-dominant product with some THC will offer a different experience than a CBD-only product or one with a more balanced THC-to-CBD ratio.
Finding the Right Weed Product for You
Once you understand how the different types of weed compare, narrowing down your options is much easier. Rather than looking for one product that’s “best,” think about which format offers the type of experience you want.
For example:
- Want fast effects and plenty of strain options? Flower may be a good place to start.
- Prefer something smoke-free and longer-lasting? Consider edibles.
- Looking for something portable and discreet? Vapes offer many of the benefits of inhaled cannabis in a convenient format.
- Want more control over how much you consume? Oils make it easy to measure and adjust your dose.
- Already comfortable with cannabis and looking for higher potency? Concentrates offer a more intense option for experienced consumers.
- Want to avoid or minimize psychoactive effects? CBD products are available across several different formats.
You don’t have to limit yourself to one method, either. Different products suit different situations, and understanding the pros and considerations of each gives you a better starting point when exploring something new.
Discount Dave offers a wide selection of flower, edibles, vapes, oils, concentrates, CBD products, and more, making it easy to compare your options in one place. Order online for local delivery throughout B.C. or Canada-wide shipping, with free shipping on orders over $50.
FAQs About Weed Products
Pre-rolls contain dried cannabis flower that's already been ground and rolled. They provide the same consumption method as loose flower but eliminate the preparation, making them a convenient, ready-to-smoke option.
Yes. You may find the same strain available as flower, pre-rolls, vape cartridges, concentrates, and other formats. However, consuming the same strain in different ways can change how quickly the effects begin, how long they last, and the overall experience.
No. Cannabis products can be THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, or contain a combination of both. Some CBD products contain little or no THC, so checking the cannabinoid content on the label is the easiest way to understand what you're buying.
It depends on the product. Edibles, oils, pre-rolls, capsules, and disposable vapes generally don't require additional equipment. Loose flower may require rolling papers, a pipe, bong, or vaporizer; vape cartridges require a compatible battery; and some concentrates require specialized equipment.
Not exactly. Both are made by extracting compounds from cannabis, but concentrates include products such as shatter, wax, hash, rosin, and live resin. Vape oils are specifically formulated for use in vape cartridges or pens.