A Guide to The Top 4 THC Products
Cannabis trends come and go, but THC remains king. Sometimes called “Delta 9”, THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It’s what makes weed, weed thanks to that euphoric “high.” Scientific studies have also linked THC to health benefits, including pain relief, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-anxiety effects.
While smoking cannabis flower is the most popular way to enjoy THC, you can experience this psychoactive compound in various creative ways. Here’s our guide to the most popular THC products on the market, how to use them, and what makes them so unique.
Smokable Flower
Smoking flower, aka bud, is the OG way to consume THC. And as of 2022, it’s still the most popular way.
Flower refers to the plant’s fine hair-like growths, known as trichomes containing the cannabinoids and terpenes you want to smoke. To make bud smokable, processors first dry and cure the flower, ensuring that the flavor, smell, and overall effects remain intact. Then they package it in airtight containers and send them to dispensaries for you to select your favorite strain.
You can enjoy smokable flower in various ways, like bowls, blunts, pipes, bongs, or joints. But you’d need to roll or assemble those yourself. Smokable “pre-rolls,” on the other hand, are far more convenient. The most popular flower product, THC “pre-rolls,” are preassembled joints in rolling papers that typically contain a filter. Pre-rolls are inexpensive, discreet, disposable, and easy to share with friends. In some cases, pre-rolls also include infusions of cannabis extracts to increase potency.
Smoking flower is a great way to experience THC and the plant’s full spectrum of compounds. Plus, the effects kick in within minutes and can last anywhere from 1-4 hours.
Concentrates
After flower, concentrates are the second most popular THC category–paritcuarly for more experienced cannabis users. Sometimes called “hash,” THC concentrates cover a broad range of craft products, like “budder,” “shatter,” and “sift.” They’re made by distilling cannabinoids into pure forms through solvent-based chemical extraction techniques or solventless methods using water and pressure. THC concentrates are often waxy or gooey and look like honey or butter. However, some are darker and more brittle in texture.
Concentrates often contain 40 to 90% THC, whereas most cannabis strains have only 20% THC. As a result, they unleash a more potent, robust experience. The high duration depends on factors like dosage and your overall tolerance level. But the effects kick in fast–almost instantly.
Most of the time, you’ll need to invest in specialized equipment called “dab rigs” to smoke concentrates. Think of dab rigs like a bong, except rigs are designed to vaporize dense THC concentrates instead of flower. And dab rigs require a torch to ignite. If that sounds too complex, you can also inhale concentrates from specialty vaporizers like “rosin pens” or in pre-rolls known as “hash holes.”
People love concentrates because they taste incredible, hit smooth, and are extraordinarily intense. That said, if you’re new to THC, we suggest experimenting with other less extreme methods first.
Edibles
Edibles are the third on the list of top-selling cannabis products because they offer a full-sensory experience without the need to smoke, don’t smell like grass, and deliver a powerful, long-lasting high. There are many kinds of edibles including different chemicals contained in them, a new and popular example is thcx.
You can find a near-endless variety of THC foods and flavor combinations with edibles, like Delta-9 Berry Delight Syrup, dark chocolate cookies, and fruity taffy, to name a few. All edibles contain dosage information on the package, which makes it easy to control how much you take. However, it’s important to remember that THC edibles affect you much differently than joints.
According to research, THC has to pass through the digestive system with edibles, meaning it may take longer to kick in–around 30 to 90 minutes. On the flip side, the effects can last much longer. The high from an edible can last up to 24 hours depending on the dosage, with a peak of around 3 hours.
Vapes
Vapes or “pens” are increasingly popular because they allow you to inhale THC with low-heat steam instead of harsh smoke. Most vape pens contain concentrated THC oil. However, some hold live plant material, just like joints. The difference is vaporizing doesn’t burn the plant, so it’s a much smoother experience.
Vaping THC is widespread because these pocket-sized devices are convenient, contain potent oil, and the high kicks in fast. On average, vape effects arise within a minute and last between 2 and 3 hours, with a peak of 20-30 minutes. Plus, the vapor comes with little to no odor, a perk if you’re looking for a discrete experience.
You can find THC-only vapes at concentrations up to 80%. Additionally, you can find full-spectrum THC vapes blended with cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and CBG–along with flavorful terpenes like limonene and linalool. Full-spectrum vapes are perfect if you’re looking for a well-balanced high and aromatic experience.
The Takeaway
As a cannabis customer today, you have a world of THC products at your fingertips. While flower has constantly dominated the market, vapes, edibles, and concentrates each provide a unique and distinct way to enjoy THC. Edibles are incredible when you have time to devote, joints are perfect for Netflix and chilling, vapes are great on the go, and concentrates are ideal for a fierce experience. So why not experiment? The choice is yours.
