Depending on where you purchase your cannabis, there are hundreds of products and brands to pick from. It can be overwhelming to review all your choices and trust that you’re making the right selection, especially if you just started purchasing from a legal retail cannabis store.
Budtenders (also known as sales associates, wellness consultants, or cannabis educators) are the dispensary-provided guide to helping you navigate and narrow down your options. They have extensive knowledge about the different products and further cannabis knowledge to help answer any questions. While they are an excellent resource, as you develop an understanding of your cannabis needs, it’s helpful to be able to shop without too much assistance.
I spent a solid three years as a Budtender in one of California's busiest shops, and we regularly served hundreds of customers a day. My time behind the counter taught me how to help people make the best selection for their needs in a timely manner. Below, I have summarized some helpful hints to help you do the same for yourself.
The first step to making a choice about your cannabis is to understand your needs. This can be a complex answer for many people since it may not just be for one sole reason.
First, consider your goals. Are you just consuming to enjoy a social event? Are you in the mood to get creative? Are you trying to alleviate symptoms like chronic pain or insomnia? The answer to these questions will help you determine the type of effects that you need. While cannabis affects everyone differently, there are a few gentle guidelines to consider. High-THC products are best for experienced consumers and some with chronic conditions. High CBD products may be better suited for those looking for minimal psychoactive effects but still need relief for conditions like anxiety.
Second, determine what your consumption method needs are. Do you want to smoke? If so, do you want pre-rolled joints, vapes, dabs, or loose flower? Do you have the right tools and the skill to roll flower (loose buds) into a joint or to pack a bowl? Or will you need a pipe or bong? If this is too much, maybe an edible is better. Just remember edibles are more potent with a longer duration of effects. Are you able to experience the effects for several hours? There are also tinctures, capsules, and topicals to consider as well.
Third, consider your dosage. Dosage can be difficult to gauge with smoking methods, but considering the onset is pretty quick (within a few moments), you can monitor your feelings as you consume. If you’re a beginner, start with one or two hits and wait 5-10 minutes to see how you feel. Edibles, tinctures, and capsules are pre-dosed, so it’s easier to know how much you are consuming, but it can take 30 minutes to two hours to feel the full effects.
While none of these need to be fully answered before you get to the shop, having a general idea can help ensure you get the right product for your needs and help speed up your browsing time.
Once you know your cannabis needs, there are a few other tips to help you choose the right product.
Products are typically categorized into indica, sativa, and hybrid, giving you a general idea of the type of effect that you may feel. Sativas tend to describe uplifting feelings, while indicas are described as having more mellow effects. Despite this long-standing categorization system, research has shown terpenes (the chemical compound that gives each cultivar its distinct flavor and fragrance) may be a better indicator of effects than these labels.
Terpenes like linalool and myrcene can promote relaxation and help with sleep, while pinene and limonene may have more refreshing, uplifting effects. That said, it can be challenging to find products categorized by markers. Sometimes, terpene percentages will be provided, where the average is .01-10%. Learn more about choosing the right cultivar for you here.
Cannabinoid percentages can also help determine which product is best for you. THC and CBD percentages will also look different for different products – flower can range from 12-35% THC, but concentrated extracts are usually between 60-90% THC. While high THC quantity has been an indicator of potency, we’ve learned that potency is more determined by the entourage effect provided by the entire chemical makeup of the cultivar, as well as a subjective experience. It’s best to look for well-rounded cannabis products with high total cannabinoid concentration.
Lastly, consider your budget and how much product you will need. Cannabis prices vary greatly depending on the region in which they are sold. If you can, check out the shop’s menu beforehand to review the costs. If you’re shopping for yourself, you may only need one or two of an item. However, you may want to purchase in bulk if there are discounts or if you’re far from your local shop.
Be open to utilizing the information provided to you to help guide your selection.
Budtenders are the best resource you have at a dispensary. While they’ve recently received the notary and appreciation they deserve, they’ve also had a bad reputation for not being knowledgeable and for pushing certain products with incentives. To that, I say two things: 1. There is no standard for training and educating budtenders on the continuously updated cannabis research and product knowledge. Some stores invest more in this type of training than others. And 2. They work retail – recommending products based on sales or needs to move products happens in almost every retail space.
But that’s all the more reason to have a good idea of what you want and consult a budtender for further guidance. While not every budtender is impressive, I’d like to think they’re all working from a good space, and if you tell them your needs, they will give you their best recommendation. They also are the people closest to the brands, have a general understanding of the effects of cannabis, and have insight into all the deals. Developing a rapport with them and utilizing their expertise can help you explore the best product selection.
The three main factors to consider when trying to pick the best cannabis product are understanding your needs, being knowledgeable in navigating the menu selection, and consulting with a budtender. These tips can help ensure you spend less time endlessly browsing and more time enjoying your cannabis experience.
Remember that everyone responds to cannabis differently. It’s important to consume cannabis responsibly and mindfully. Always consult a doctor if you have concerns about cannabis affecting your health.