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- A University of Colorado study found that 70% of consumers choose cannabis strains based on what effects they expect, not just THC levels.
- SC Labs (2023) showed that potency claims are often wrong in cannabis products that haven't been tested.
- THC causes the psychoactive effects. CBD gives relief from pain, anxiety, and swelling without making you feel high.
- Lab-tested cannabis makes sure the cannabinoid content is correct and it doesn't have mold or pesticides.
- Terpenes affect the smell and how cannabis strains make you feel.
There are so many cannabis products in stores and online, it can be hard for new and experienced users to pick the right one. Whether you want to relax by yourself or hang out with friends, your experience really depends on the cannabis product you pick. This includes the strain, type, THC/CBD amounts, and terpenes. This guide will explain what you need to know to choose the best cannabis product for what you want, what you like, and your lifestyle.
Different Kinds of Cannabis Products (and What's Good and Bad About Them)
Knowing the different forms of cannabis products is important to find what works best for you. Each kind is different in how fast it works, how strong it is, how long it lasts, and how you use it.
Flower (Bud)
Flower is probably the most common and useful form of cannabis. It's good for people who like doing things in a certain way and want to control their high.
Pros
- Works quickly (in minutes)
- Lets you use as much as you want
- Works well with tools like Purple Rose Supply’s CannaMold, which helps you roll cannagars that burn slowly
Cons
- You need to prepare it (grind it, roll it)
- The smoke might be too strong for some
- Rolling flower by hand or with a mold gives you better airflow and taste. Many experts also enjoy the process.
Pre-rolls
These are joints or blunts that are already made and sold in most stores.
Pros
- Easy to use and carry around
- Ready to smoke, no need to do anything
Cons
- Can be lower quality in some that are made in large amounts
- Less control over how tightly it's rolled and how air flows
Pre-rolls are good when you need something quick, but they often don't have the same quality and burn as a good cannagar that you roll yourself.
Edibles
Cannabis that you eat or drink, like gummies, baked goods, and drinks.
Pros
- Effects last a long time (4–8 hours)
- You can use them without smoking and they are not obvious
- Many different strengths and types
Cons
- Takes a while to start working (30–90 minutes)
- Easy to use too much if you're not careful with the dose
If you're new to edibles, always start with a small amount (2.5–5 mg THC) and wait to see how it affects you to avoid using too much.
Concentrates
These include shatter, wax, badder, and live resin. They are extracts that are very strong.
Pros
- Very strong (often 70–90% THC)
- You don't need to use much to get the same effects
Cons
- You need special equipment (dab rigs, pens)
- Not good for beginners
These are best for people who have used cannabis before and want strong or fast effects.
Oils and Tinctures
Cannabis oils that you put under your tongue or add to food or drinks.
Pros
- Not obvious, no smoke
- Easy to measure and control how much you use
- Good for people who use cannabis for medical reasons
Cons
- Less of a process to use
- Takes longer to start working (usually 20–40 min)
- Good for regular, daily use for things like anxiety, sleep, or swelling.
Topicals
Lotions, balms, or creams with cannabinoids that you put on your skin.
Pros
- No psychoactive effects
- Helps with pain in specific areas
- Great for athletes or older people
Cons
- Effects only work where you put it
- Doesn't help with all problems
Topicals are often not used for fun, but they are very helpful for people dealing with pain in certain parts of their body.
Understanding THC vs. CBD (and Why the Amounts Matter)
THC and CBD are the two most well-known cannabinoids in cannabis.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
This is the compound that mainly causes the "high" feeling. It affects CB1 receptors in your brain, causing feelings like happiness, laughter, and deep relaxation. But if you use too much, it can also make you anxious or sleepy.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD doesn’t make you feel high but it interacts with other receptors (like serotonin receptors) to help you feel calm, stable, and less swollen. It can also change how THC affects you, making the psychoactive effects less strong.
In California, cannabis products must show their cannabinoid amounts clearly so people can make good choices (California DCC, 2023).
Choose Cannabis Strains Based on What Effects You Want
Strains are more than just THC levels—they have different cannabinoid and terpene makeups that cause different effects.
A study by Huestis (2022) found that up to 70% of users choose strains based on how they want to feel, not just how much THC is in them.
Sativa
- Common Effects: Makes you feel happy, energetic, and focused
- Great For: Using in the morning, working out, doing chores, being outside
- Related Terpenes: Limonene, pinene
- Examples: Sour Diesel, Jack Herer, Green Crack
Indica
- Common Effects: Relaxes your body, makes you sleepy, relieves stress
- Great For: Using at night, watching movies, sleeping, getting rid of stress
- Related Terpenes: Myrcene, linalool
- Examples: Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights
Hybrid
- Common Effects: Different mixes of relaxing and energizing effects
- Great For: People who want specific effects or a mix depending on the time of day
- Examples: Blue Dream, Gelato, Wedding Cake
If you're rolling a cannagar, strains that are denser fit better in the mold and make it burn longer and smoother—good for hanging out with people or for long personal sessions.
How Terpenes Affect Effects and Flavor
Terpenes are smell compounds found in cannabis—and also in many other plants. Besides giving strains their smell and taste, they also affect how the high feels by working with cannabinoids (this is called the "entourage effect").
Common Terpenes and Effects
- Limonene: Smells like citrus, makes you happier and more energetic; good for people who like sativa.
- Myrcene: Smells earthy and musky; helps you sleep and relax your body.
- Pinene: Smells like pine; helps you think clearly and be alert.
- Linalool: Smells floral; calms anxiety and stress.
How you burn cannabis matters. Cannagars rolled with tools like Purple Rose Supply's CannaMold help keep terpenes better because they burn evenly, slowly, and cooler—so you can taste and feel all the flavors.
Understand the Label: Why Lab Testing Is Important
Don’t just choose based on how pretty the package is—lab testing gives you real proof in a market that is growing and not always controlled.
Why Lab Testing Is Very Important
- Shows how much cannabinoid content (THC, CBD, CBN, etc.) is in it
- Finds harmful things like mold, pesticides, or heavy metals
- Measures terpene content
- Checks if the dose is correct for edibles and tinctures
What to Look for on the Label
- Cannabinoid Profile: Total percentages of THC/CBD and other cannabinoids.
- Terpene Breakdown: Helps you guess the effects.
- Harvest and Batch Date: Fresher cannabis keeps its strength and terpenes better.
- Third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA): Proves all claims are true. Many brands have QR codes that link to lab reports.
SC Labs (2023) found that THC levels often don't match what's claimed on products that haven't been tested. This makes lab checks necessary—not just an option.
Think Local: Know Cannabis Laws and Rules
Cannabis is legal in many places, but it's still controlled a lot and rules change by area.
California Cannabis Purchase Limits (as of 2023)
- Adults 21+ can have
- Up to 1 ounce (28.5g) of cannabis flower
-
8 grams of concentrate
Buying more or giving cannabis to people in other states can cause legal problems. Always know the laws where you are and where you're going.
Pick the Right Product Type for How You Want to Use It
How you want to consume cannabis often decides what product you should choose.
- Smoking: Best with cured flower and effects start right away. Better with tools like the Purple Rose Supply CannaMold for longer sessions and better flavor.
- Vaporizing: Much smoother and keeps terpenes well—a good middle option between smoking and tinctures.
- Tinctures/Sublinguals: Good for being private and controlling dose; start working in 20–30 minutes.
- Edibles: Taste good, last long, but tricky; effects can start at different times and be different each time.
- Topicals: Great for pain relief without feeling high.
Think about how much work you want to put into preparing it—and how much you want to change your session as you go.
Make Your Session Better with the Right Rolling Tools
Good gear is key to a really good cannabis experience. Rolling by hand is nice, but it can also waste cannabis.
Why Good Tools Are Important
- Airflow: Better airflow = smoother smoke and burns better
- Flavor: Cannagars that are rolled evenly keep terpenes better than blunts
- Burn Time: Cannagars that are packed tight last much longer than hand rolls
Purple Rose Supply's CannaMold lets anyone—from someone who uses cannabis sometimes to experts—roll great cannagars that work well every time. You’ll get a tighter roll, more flavor, and a better session overall.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Product
Want to get the most out of your cannabis experience? Think about these things first
- Where are you? Are you at home, at work, or out with friends?
- Who are you with? Are you by yourself or with friends?
- When? Do you need effects to start fast or last a long time?
- Flavor? Do you want to taste all the terpenes or just want it to work?
- Effort? Do you want to prepare and roll it yourself or do you want something easy to grab and use?
Knowing what's important to you makes it easier to decide.
Good Cannabis + Good Tools = The Best Experience
Now, choosing the right cannabis product is about more than just THC percentage. It's about matching what you want, the strain, how you use it, and your tools. Knowing how THC and CBD, strain types, terpenes, and lab-testing affect your experience gives you more control.
Choose good flower, know your amounts, and roll smarter—with tools like the CannaMold from Purple Rose Supply. Whether you're having fun with friends or relaxing alone, getting the best session starts with being informed and knowing what you want.
Roll with purpose. Smoke with pride. Your best experience is just one session away.
Citations
- California Department of Cannabis Control. (2023). Cannabis legal guidelines. Retrieved from https://cannabis.ca.gov
- Huestis, M. A. (2022). Consumer understanding of cannabis strain effects. University of Colorado Research Briefs, 18(4), 112–117.
- SC Labs. (2023). Variability in tested chemical profiles of cannabis products. SC Labs Independent Report. Retrieved from https://www.sclabs.com
