Ways to Consume Cannabis: Finding Your Method

One of the best things about legal cannabis is the incredible variety of ways you can enjoy it. Gone are the days when your only option was rolling something up. Today’s dispensary shelves are filled with products designed for every lifestyle, preference, and comfort level. Whether you’re looking for something quick and classic or slow and discreet, there’s a consumption method that’s right for you.

Let’s walk through the most popular options so you can find your fit.

Flower (Smoking)

Flower is the classic — the dried cannabis bud that’s been enjoyed for centuries. You can smoke it in a pipe, bong, or hand-rolled joint. Flower gives you full control over your experience and lets you appreciate the plant’s natural terpene profiles and aromas.

• Onset: Almost immediate (1-5 minutes)
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Great for: People who enjoy the ritual of smoking, those who want fast-acting effects, and experienced consumers who appreciate strain variety
• Considerations: Produces smoke and odor; not ideal for those with respiratory sensitivities

Pre-Rolls

Pre-rolls are exactly what they sound like — joints that come pre-rolled and ready to enjoy. They’re perfect for convenience, whether you’re on the go or just don’t want to deal with the prep work. Many pre-rolls feature premium flower, infused options, or curated blends.

• Onset: Almost immediate (1-5 minutes)
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Great for: Beginners who want to try flower without learning to roll, social settings, and anyone who values convenience
• Considerations: Same smoke and odor considerations as flower; portion control can be tricky with larger pre-rolls

Vaporizers

Vaporizers (or “vapes”) heat cannabis oil or flower to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as a vapor rather than smoke. They come in disposable pens, cartridge-based systems, and portable devices. Vaping is generally considered to be easier on the lungs than smoking and produces less odor.

• Onset: Almost immediate (1-5 minutes)
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Great for: People who want fast-acting effects with more discretion, those looking for a lighter experience than smoking
• Considerations: Battery-powered devices need charging; quality varies significantly between brands — always choose lab-tested products from licensed dispensaries

Edibles

Edibles are cannabis-infused foods and candies — think gummies, chocolates, mints, cookies, and more. They’re processed through your digestive system, which means the onset is slower but the effects tend to last longer and feel different from inhaled cannabis. Edibles are one of the most popular consumption methods, especially for people who prefer not to smoke or vape.

• Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Duration: 4-8 hours (sometimes longer)
• Great for: People who prefer not to inhale, those seeking longer-lasting effects, anyone looking for precise dosing (most edibles list exact milligrams per serving)
• Considerations: Slower onset means you should wait before taking more — patience is key. Start with a low dose (2.5-5mg THC) and give it at least 90 minutes before considering a second serving. Check out our dosing guide for more details.

Tinctures

Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts that come in small bottles with droppers. You place the drops under your tongue (sublingual) for faster absorption, or you can add them to food or drinks. Tinctures are one of the most versatile and controllable consumption methods available.

• Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual); 30 minutes to 2 hours (ingested)
• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Great for: People who want precise dose control, those who prefer a smoke-free experience, anyone new to cannabis who wants to start very low and adjust gradually
• Considerations: Taste can be earthy or bitter depending on the product; effects vary based on whether you hold it under your tongue or swallow it

Topicals

Topicals are cannabis-infused creams, balms, lotions, and patches that you apply directly to your skin. They’re designed for localized relief — think sore muscles, joint discomfort, or skin care — and generally don’t produce psychoactive effects because the cannabinoids don’t enter your bloodstream in significant amounts.

• Onset: 15-45 minutes
• Duration: 2-4 hours (varies by product)
• Great for: People seeking localized relief without any psychoactive effects, athletes, anyone curious about cannabis but not ready for a “high”
• Considerations: Effects are localized to the area of application; won’t produce a full-body or cerebral experience

Beverages

Cannabis-infused beverages are one of the fastest-growing categories in the industry. From sparkling waters and lemonades to teas and mocktails, cannabis drinks offer a familiar, social-friendly way to enjoy cannabis. Many use nano-emulsion technology for faster onset than traditional edibles.

• Onset: 15-30 minutes (faster than traditional edibles)
• Duration: 2-4 hours
• Great for: Social settings, people who want an alternative to alcohol, those who enjoy a familiar consumption ritual
• Considerations: Effects can come on faster than expected with nano-emulsified products; pay attention to the milligram dosage per serving

Concentrates

Concentrates are highly potent cannabis extracts — including wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, and distillate. They’re typically consumed through dabbing (using a specialized rig or device) or added to flower. Concentrates offer the most intense effects and are generally recommended for experienced consumers.

• Onset: Almost immediate (1-5 minutes)
• Duration: 1-3 hours
• Great for: Experienced consumers seeking stronger effects, those who appreciate the full terpene and cannabinoid profiles of live resin and rosin
• Considerations: Very potent — not recommended for beginners; requires specialized equipment for dabbing

How to Choose Your Method

There’s no wrong answer here — it’s all about what fits your lifestyle, preferences, and goals. Here are a few questions to help you narrow it down:

• How quickly do you want to feel the effects? Inhalation methods (flower, vapes, concentrates) are the fastest. Edibles and tinctures take longer.
• How long do you want the effects to last? Edibles and tinctures provide the longest-lasting experience. Inhalation methods are shorter.
• Do you prefer to avoid smoke? Edibles, tinctures, topicals, beverages, and vaporizers are all smoke-free options.
• Are you looking for a full-body experience or localized relief? Topicals work locally; everything else provides systemic effects.
• Is discretion important? Edibles, tinctures, beverages, and topicals are the most discreet options.

We’re Here to Help

If you’re not sure where to start, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Our budtenders at Yerba Buena love helping people find their perfect method — whether it’s your first time trying cannabis or you’re looking to explore something new. Come visit us at our Cobble Hill shop and let’s figure it out together.