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How to Choose the Right Cannabis Product

How to Choose the Right Cannabis Product

Learn how to assess available cannabis products so you can find the perfect option for you.  

If you’re a newbie in the cannabis world, the number of options can leave you second-guessing yourself. Should you go with an edible, or is vaping better? Is THC more suited to your requirements than CBD? Etc. 
There’s a lot to think about. 
Thankfully, however, sorting through cannabis products for sale becomes easier when you know how each of them works. 

Step 1: Understand Cannabis Basics

Cannabis is a plant that comes in various forms, products, and potencies. By gaining a basic understanding, you’ll be more informed when searching for the right product. 

Differences Between THC and CBD

The cannabis plant produces a dense resin rich in compounds called cannabinoids. 
The main ones are THC and CBD, which you’ll find in many cannabis products available on the market. 

Substance

Effect

What it does

Benefits

THC

Psychoactive, produces a “high”

Stimulates parts of your brain that respond to pleasure, releases dopamine

Pain management, Appetite boost, Nausea reduction, Anxiety/depression relief

CBD

Non-intoxicating

Slows down signals to your brain, lowers inflammation

Pain management, Anti-inflammatory, Anxiety/depression relief

Product Types 

Cannabis products vary in ingredients. When it comes to their cannabinoid composition, you can pick between three options:
  • Full-spectrum: Contain all compounds found in the plant, including THC.
  • Broad-spectrum: Contain multiple compounds found in the plant except THC.
  • Isolate: Contain only CBD. 

The Entourage Effect

Depending on what you’re looking for, cannabis compounds are more powerful together than in isolation. 
This is due to what’s known as the entourage effect. The compounds work together synergistically to enhance the product’s effectiveness. 
In other words, cannabinoids like THC and CBD, along with compounds called terpenes, flavonoids, etc., provide more benefits when they interact. 

Step 2: Identify Your Goals  

Maybe you want the best THC gummies for relaxation, or perhaps you would be better off with a CBD oil that improves sleep. 
Before you add a selection of cannabis products to your basket and proceed to checkout, clarify what you want to achieve. 

Determine Your Objective

Cannabis products can help with several issues, such as: 
Simply, using THC can lead to relaxation, better sleep, and pain relief. CBD is ideal for consumers keen to keep anxiety or pain in check without experiencing a high. 
Therefore, determine your objective for cannabis use before purchasing. This will ensure you get the benefits you’re searching for. 

Take Your Experience Into Account

Complete beginners might want to start with a CBD-only or low-dose THC option. You never know how you’ll react, so it’s always recommended. 
For more experienced consumers, on the other hand, you may want more potent cannabis, as you’re aware of how your body responds to the plant. 

Step 3: Explore Different Product Types

Knowing the different types of available cannabis products can also help you choose the right option. The main ones include: 

Product Type

Onset Time

Duration

Edibles

30 to 90 minutes

Up to 12 hours

Oils and Tinctures

10 to 60 minutes

4 to 12 hours

Vapes

Around 10 minutes

Up to 3 hours

Topicals

10 to 60 minutes

Up to 6 hours

Capsules and Pills

30 minutes to 2 hours

Upwards of 12 hours

Step 4: Consider Important Factors

There are a few additional factors to weigh while browsing through cannabis products for sale.

Desired Effects

Since there’s plenty of choice, you can achieve different outcomes: 
  • Relaxation: Indica-dominant strains and CBD products have calming effects, helping consumers relax.
  • Focus: Sativa-dominant strains, along with low-dose THC products, can give you an energy boost.  
  • Pain relief: Products containing both THC and CBD offer comprehensive relief for consumers struggling with chronic pain. 

Onset and Duration 

Choose a product based on how quickly you want it to kick in and how long you want it to last. 
Vapes, oils, and tinctures provide rapid relief, for instance. Edibles and capsules, however, have longer-lasting effects.  

Your Lifestyle

Beginners should also think about how cannabis will fit into their routine. If discretion is important, edibles and capsules don’t draw attention. For sheer convenience, vapes and oils are probably the best. 

Drug Interactions

Certain cannabis products, especially those with higher THC content, can interact with other medications. That means you might experience side effects when you mix them with other treatments. 
Because of this, if you take medication, research potential interactions. If you’re concerned about how the product would affect pre-existing conditions, consult with a healthcare professional beforehand. 

Step 5: Learn to Read Product Labels

To be 100% confident in your cannabis product, paying attention to the label is highly advised.  

Understand THC and CBD Percentages

Knowing the THC and CBD content of the product helps you assess its effects:
  • For oils: The label typically lists the cannabinoid content per millimeter (e.g. If the label says 30mg of THC per 1ml, each 1ml dose has 30mg of THC).
  • For edibles: Check the total milligrams of cannabinoids per piece (e.g. The packaging lists 10mg of THC per gummy, so that’s the dose you’ll ingest).

Look for Third-Party Lab Testing Results

Reputable brands will offer third-party lab testing results to confirm the potency and quality of their products. 
These ensure that the product contains the cannabinoids it claims. Additionally, they certify that the product is free of pesticides and other impurities.

Check for Additional Ingredients

Cannabis products - edibles and vapes in particular - sometimes contain sweeteners or flavorings. 
That might be a problem for consumers with dietary restrictions or allergies. Therefore, always double-check the ingredient list. 

Step 6: Start with Low Doses

When trying a new cannabis product, moderation is key. Give your body time to adjust and see how you react to it: 
  • Begin with the lowest recommended dose: Beginners should start slow to assess their response.   
  • Wait before taking more: If you “don’t feel anything,” you might be tempted to up the dose; edibles take time to kick in, so wait at least two hours before taking another one. 
  • Gradually increase dosage as needed: Users who feel the need for stronger effects can increase the dosage in small increments, as doing it too quickly may be overwhelming.
  • Keep a journal to track effects and find your optimal dose: Tracking your experiences helps you monitor effects and find the optimal product and dose for you. 

Step 7: Buy From Trusted Shops

Lastly, whenever you buy cannabis, make sure you shop with a trusted business. 
If you’re interested in THC products, only purchase from licensed dispensaries in states where cannabis is legal. As these are regulated, products will meet safety standards every time. 
Plus, even though CBD products are widely available, stick with brands that have a strong reputation. Looking for third-party lab results and customer reviews is also a good way to do this. 
While shopping, just remember that THC products are federally illegal in the US, and only certain states allow recreational or medical use. Also, CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC. 
Anyone offering cannabis outside of the legal regulation should be avoided. 

Conclusion

Making sense of the wide array of cannabis products for sale is less overwhelming once you have a clear idea about what you want. 
The biggest tip is to assess your goals and read labels carefully. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of cannabis knowing you made a responsible choice. 
If you want to purchase cannabis products online, consider checking out our website. We have a range of cannabis products readily available. 

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