Guide
Consumption Methods
Six ways to consume cannabis. Each with different onset, duration, and intensity. Find the one that fits.
At a Glance
Method Comparison
This table gives you a high-level comparison. Scroll down for detailed breakdowns of each method.
| Method | Onset | Duration | Intensity | Discretion | Dose Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | 1 - 5 min | 1 - 3 hrs | Moderate to High | Low | Moderate |
| Vaping | 1 - 5 min | 1 - 3 hrs | Moderate to High | Moderate | High |
| Edibles | 30 min - 2 hrs | 4 - 8 hrs | High to Very High | High | High (labeled) |
| Tinctures | 15 - 45 min | 2 - 6 hrs | Moderate | High | Very High |
| Topicals | 15 - 60 min | 2 - 4 hrs | Localized | Very High | Low |
| Concentrates | Instant - 2 min | 1 - 3 hrs | Very High | Moderate | Low |
Method 01
Smoking
How It Works
Combustion heats cannabis flower to the point of burning, releasing cannabinoids and terpenes as smoke. This smoke is inhaled into the lungs, where THC and other compounds pass through the alveoli directly into the bloodstream. Effects are felt within seconds to minutes.
Advantages
- Fastest feedback loop for dose control. Take a puff, wait, assess, repeat.
- The full-spectrum experience. Smoking whole flower preserves the complete terpene and cannabinoid profile.
- Wide variety of consumption devices: joints, pipes, bongs, bubblers.
- Flower is typically the most affordable product category.
- The ritual and social aspects of smoking have cultural significance for many users.
Disadvantages
- Combustion creates tar and carcinogens that irritate the respiratory system.
- Strong odor that clings to clothes, hair, and indoor spaces.
- Not discreet. Visible smoke and distinctive smell.
- Requires accessories and sometimes a learning curve (rolling, packing).
- Heat can destroy some terpenes before they reach your lungs.
Method 02
Vaping
How It Works
Vaporizers heat cannabis flower or oil to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor without combustion. This occurs between approximately 315 and 440 degrees Fahrenheit. The vapor is inhaled, delivering compounds through the lungs similarly to smoking but without the byproducts of combustion.
Advantages
- Significantly less harsh on the lungs compared to smoking.
- More efficient extraction of cannabinoids at lower temperatures.
- Better flavor preservation due to lower heat levels.
- More discreet with less lingering odor than smoke.
- Precise temperature control allows targeting specific compounds.
- Portable and convenient, especially with pre-filled cartridges.
Disadvantages
- Upfront cost for a quality vaporizer device.
- Cartridges and pods are typically more expensive per dose than flower.
- Battery life and device maintenance are ongoing considerations.
- Some cartridge products have raised health concerns due to additives.
- The experience can feel different from smoking, which some users dislike.
Method 03
Edibles
How It Works
Cannabis edibles are processed through the digestive system. After ingestion, cannabinoids travel to the liver where delta-9-THC is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that crosses the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. This metabolic conversion is why edibles feel different and often more intense than inhaled cannabis.
Advantages
- No respiratory involvement. Nothing is inhaled.
- Long-lasting effects, ideal for sustained experiences.
- Precise dosing with commercially labeled products.
- Completely discreet. No smell, no accessories, no visible consumption.
- Wide variety of products: gummies, chocolates, beverages, mints, baked goods.
- Consistent effects once you find your optimal dose.
Disadvantages
- Slow onset makes dose adjustment difficult in real time.
- Easy to overconsume while waiting for effects to begin.
- Duration can be too long for casual or spontaneous use.
- Effects are more intense and less predictable for new users.
- Absorption varies significantly based on metabolism and stomach contents.
- Difficult to split or micro-dose some product formats.
Method 04
Tinctures
How It Works
Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts, typically in an alcohol or oil base. When placed under the tongue (sublingual administration), cannabinoids absorb through the mucous membranes directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. They can also be swallowed or added to food, in which case they metabolize like edibles.
Advantages
- Extremely precise dosing with a calibrated dropper.
- Sublingual absorption offers a middle ground in onset time between inhalation and edibles.
- No smoke, no vapor, no odor. Completely discreet.
- Easy to adjust dose in small increments.
- Can be added to beverages or food for flexible consumption.
- Long shelf life when stored properly.
Disadvantages
- Taste can be unpleasant, particularly alcohol-based tinctures.
- Sublingual administration requires holding liquid under the tongue for 30 to 90 seconds.
- If swallowed rather than absorbed sublingually, onset is as slow as edibles.
- Higher cost per milligram compared to flower in many markets.
- Less common and less familiar to most consumers.
Method 05
Topicals
How It Works
Topical cannabis products are applied directly to the skin. Cannabinoids bind to local CB1 and CB2 receptors in the skin, muscles, and nerves without entering the bloodstream in significant amounts. This means they provide localized effects without a psychoactive high in most formulations.
Advantages
- Non-intoxicating. You will not feel high from standard topicals.
- Targeted application for specific areas of the body.
- No inhalation, no ingestion, no systemic effects.
- Can be used anytime without impairment concerns.
- Accessible for people uncomfortable with psychoactive effects.
- Available as creams, balms, patches, salves, and lotions.
Disadvantages
- Does not produce the psychoactive effects many cannabis users seek.
- Limited to localized effects at the application site.
- Dosing is imprecise and difficult to measure.
- May require frequent reapplication.
- Absorption varies based on skin condition and product formulation.
- Transdermal patches are an exception and can produce systemic effects.
Method 06
Concentrates
How It Works
Concentrates are highly potent cannabis extracts with THC levels typically ranging from 60 to 90 percent. They are consumed by flash-vaporizing on a heated surface (dabbing) or using a concentrate vaporizer. The high surface area and temperature produce rapid, intense vaporization that delivers large amounts of cannabinoids in a single inhalation.
Advantages
- Extremely potent. Small amounts deliver strong effects.
- Clean, flavorful vapor when quality products are used.
- Efficient. A little goes a long way.
- Fast onset, faster than flower smoking in many cases.
- Wide variety of textures and forms: wax, shatter, budder, live resin, rosin, diamonds.
Disadvantages
- Very high potency makes them unsuitable for beginners.
- Dabbing requires specialized equipment (dab rig, torch, or e-nail).
- Tolerance builds quickly with regular use.
- Can be harsh at high temperatures.
- The intensity can cause anxiety or discomfort for unprepared users.
- Higher cost per product, though cost-per-dose can be competitive.
Recommendations
Which Method for Which Situation
There is no single best method. The right choice depends on your goals, preferences, and circumstances.
First-time user
Vape pen with low-THC cartridge
Fast onset gives real-time feedback. You can take one puff and wait.
Discreet use needed
Edibles or tinctures
No smoke, no vapor, no odor. Looks like any other food or supplement.
Longest-lasting effects
Edibles
4 to 8 hour duration. Best for sustained relaxation or sleep support.
Quick, controlled experience
Vaping or smoking
Fast onset, moderate duration. Easy to dial in your desired level.
No psychoactive effects wanted
Topicals or CBD products
Localized relief without any high. Use anytime without impairment.
Maximum precision
Tinctures
Calibrated dropper allows exact milligram dosing. Adjust in tiny increments.
Not Sure Which Method?
Talk to our staff. We can recommend products and methods based on your experience level and preferences. 570 Midland Ave, Staten Island.
Studio 57 Cannabis Dispensary is licensed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). All products are tested in accordance with NYS regulations. Cannabis is for adult use only. You must be 21 years or older to enter the dispensary or purchase products. Keep cannabis products out of reach of children and pets. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of cannabis. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your physician before using cannabis products.