Cannabis products are items made from the Cannabis plant. They include flower, edibles, concentrates, and topicals. In the US, 24 states and DC allow adult-use sales as of 2024. Federal law still lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug. Hemp products with less than 0.3% THC are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Types of cannabis products
- Flower: dried buds. THC content averaged 15% in 2018, up from 4% in 1995.
- Pre-rolls: ground flower in paper. Sold as singles or packs.
- Edibles: food and drinks. Serving size is 10 mg THC in states with rules.
- Concentrates: wax, shatter, oil. THC can exceed 80%.
- Vapes: cartridges with oil. Heated to make aerosol.
- Tinctures: liquid drops under the tongue. Effects start in 15 to 30 minutes.
- Topicals: lotions and balms. Do not cause a high.
Potency and labeling
Labels list THC and CBD in milligrams per serving and per package. THC is the compound that causes a high. CBD does not cause a high. Testing labs measure potency, pesticides, and mold. State agencies set limits. A package may have 100 mg THC total. One serving is 10 mg. The package should state how many servings.
Onset and duration
Inhaled products act in minutes. Edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours. Peak effects come at 2 to 4 hours. Effects last 6 to 8 hours. Eating more before the first effect starts can cause overdose. Overdose from cannabis is not fatal but can cause panic, vomiting, and fast heart rate.
Cannabis Product Types Decoded: Effects, Strengths, and Picking Well
Storage
Keep products in a cool, dark place. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Edibles can look like candy. Child-resistant packaging is required in legal states. Do not drive after use.
Federal status
The FDA has not approved cannabis for medical use. The FDA has approved some drugs made from cannabis compounds, such as Epidiolex. Hemp is legal at the federal level. Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.