Different Types of Marijuanas Products:
16 Marijuana Product Formulations You Should Know

It’s safe to say that the types of marijuanas products are many and growing every day. Whether you’re new to cannabis products or not, it can be a challenge to stay on top of the selection of goodies on offer online or at your favorite local dispensary.

Not to worry — we’ll cover the common kinds of weed products so you know what’s what. By the time you’re done reading this, hopefully you’ll feel confident in your knowledge of the different types of THC products available to you.

To get you oriented, this high-level information may be helpful when we delve deeper into the wide world of pot products in the next section.

Administration Methods

Cannabis items are either for internal use or external use. They come in many preparation styles that can be consumed in one or more of the following ways:

Orally (ingested)
Sublingually
Topically
Transdermally
Intranasally
Smoking
Vaping
Inhaling
Injection

Not Just For People

Just a fast final note before we dive in, we’re focusing on cannabis products for people. But, there are tons of similar products and formulations designed especially for animals out there as well. Our non-human friends can benefit from the power of plants, too!

We also wanted to mention a few things about consuming cannabis because informed, responsible, and sensible cannabis use is the best approach.

Most cannabis products are intended for adult use.
Always read and heed the product instructions and guidelines. They should be on the packaging, inserts, and/or labeling.
Wash your hands before and after applying or using cannabis products.
If you have a health condition or are taking medications or supplements, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor before starting to take cannabis.

If you’ve poked around anywhere that’s selling weed products, you know that the list of dispensary items is very loooong! It seems you can find a cannabis product for just about any need.

With that in mind, here’s a fairly exhaustive rundown of the types of marijuana products you may find on the market. So, next time you’re wondering, “What do they sell at dispensaries?” — there’s a good chance it’s a plentiful mix of these goods.

Choose a Marijuana Product Type Below to Learn More or Scroll Down

Flower
Edibles
Concentrates
Pre-rolls
Vapables
Tinctures
Topicals
Capsules & Softgels
Transdermal Patches
Sprays & Mists
Dissolvable Strips
Intranasal Creams
Suppositories
Inhalers
Isolates
Injections

Flower (aka Buds)

These are the holy grails of the cannabis plants. They’re packed with tons of plant goodness — cannabinoids, terpenes, and more.

Your local dispensary probably has a mind-boggling selection of different strains, each with its own taste, scent, and effect profile. Some varieties may be more recreational, while others are more medicinal.

The flower you find for sale has probably been dried, cured, and packaged in jars, tins, or bags.

Buds can be smoked in a joint or pipe of some sort. This is the most common way for consuming flower. There’s no need to decarb buds that will be smoked as the smoking process achieves the same effect as decarboxylation.

Flower can also be ingested. Raw cannabis can be consumed (in foods and beverages) for the potential nutritional benefits it offers.(6) But, to get the full force of marijuana (or CBD for that matter), the flower needs to be decarboxylated. When making edibles or homemade cannabis goods (e.g., infused butter, hand salve, etc.), the cannabis should be decarbed before extraction or infusion.

Pros

Readily available & accessible

Versatile

Lots of product options

Control of product preparation

One simple ingredient

Often cheaper than other product types

Accessible to many medical marijuana users

Cons

Smoking is hazardous to one's health

Hard to dose accurately and consistently

Can get moldy or spoil if not properly stored

May contain harmful residuals from the growing or manufacturing process

May require specialized, often expensive, equipment to use

Can be a hassle/time consuming to prep

Edibles

Including Gummies, Candy, Foods & Beverages

If your marijuana comes in a form that you have to chew, sip, or suck on — it’s an edible! Edibles are ingested products and can include baked goods, chocolates, jellies, teas, milks, and more. You may find them pre-made and ready to consume, or you can make your own.

Once you’ve downed your edible, it travels through your digestive system. The cannabinoids enter your bloodstream from there.

An appropriate amount — e.g., a serving — is eaten or drunk.

Pros

Unlimited options of edibles (if you’re willing to make your own)

Quick and easy to consume

Great for newbees

A range of doses/potencies available

Single-serve items make dosing simple

Many edibles are in travel-friendly formats/sizes

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

May provide a more gradual onset, high, come-down than some other formulations

Cons

Slower acting than formulations that enters the bloodstream directly

Perishables have a short shelf life

Ready-made products may not be widely available or may be prohibited in your area

Ever-changing legal landscape

No definitive regulatory oversight of manufacturing or product quality

Not suitable for those who have difficulty swallowing

Some products may be hard to properly dose

Good or Bad? You Decide!

Effects may last longer

Systemic effects

May have lots of ingredients besides cannabis

Pre-Rolls

As you might guess from the name, pre-rolls are already-made-for-you cannabis cigarettes. They come in a whole slew of varieties: different fillings, wrappers, potencies, sizes, shapes, and quantities.

Pre-rolls are lit up and smoked like a regular cigarette or homemade joint.

Pros

Convenient

Quick onset of effects

Portable

Readily available

Lots of product options

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

No mess or fuss

Highly effective delivery method

Cons

Smoking is harmful to lungs

May contain other ingredients that are harmful

Expensive

Smoking can lead to tooth, nail, or skin discoloration

Smoking can accelerate the aging process and wrinkles

Concentrates

Concentrates are just what they sound like — extremely concentrated forms of cannabis extract. In these products, the percentage of THC (or other cannabinoids or terpenes) is typically very high.

Common forms of marijuana concentrates include: oil, hash, rosin, wax, shatter, budder & crumble, sugar, sauce, and sand.

Cannabis concentrates are smoked or dabbed using a dab rig, nectar collector, or vape device.

Pros

Lots of different product options

Widely available

Quick onset of effects

High potency

Purer form of cannabis

May be easier to discern the nature and magnitude of the product’s effect on your body

Cons

Smoking is harmful to lungs

May require having specialized smoking/dabbing paraphernalia

May contain harmful residuals from the growing or manufacturing process

Can be messy

Smoking can lead to tooth, nail, or skin discoloration

Smoking can accelerate the aging process and wrinkles

Greater risk of burn injury

Possible legal risks

Vapables

These are all the rage these days. Vapables are products that you’d use with a vaporizer. The devices heat up the concentrate so that its compounds are released and aerosolized.

The vapables are available as an oil in a cartridge that is then loaded on a battery to heat and vaporize. Once the product is loaded into a vaping device, it is then activated and operated per its instructions. The cannabis-infused vapors the device produces are then inhaled.

Pros

Highly effective delivery method (5)

May be safer than smoking

Quick onset of effects

High potency

Convenient

Portable

Can be a very discreet consumption method

Lots of device and flavor options

Cons

Can still be harmful to lungs

Likely contains other harmful ingredients

Can be tricky to get the hang of at first

Often more expensive than other options

Devices usually require batteries or charging

Tinctures & Drops

Cannabis tinctures and oil drops are ubiquitous. They’re many and pervasive!

Tinctures and drops are a form of cannabis product made by diffusing the compounds of marijuana or hemp into a solution or carrier oil. The result is a dilution of cannabis that’s user-ready.

This kind of marijuana preparation offers a lot of flexibility. It can be administered in a number of ways. It can be used as-is or integrated into other things (e.g., DIY edibles or topicals).

Tinctures and drops can be taken orally, sublingually, and/or topically. They can be consumed straight-up or added to recipes.

Pros

Infinitely versatile!

Quick and easy to use

Great for newbees

Usually fast-acting

Long shelf life with proper storage

Widely available in a variety of sizes, flavors, and potencies

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Appropriate for daily usage routines

Cons

Some may have an undesirable taste or aroma

Can be difficult to accurately do partial doses

May contain harmful residuals from the growing or manufacturing process

Messy if spilled or not carefully administered

Not in travel-friendly formats/sizes

Not suitable for those who have difficulty swallowing

Good or Bad? You Decide!

Systemic effects if taken internally

Localized effects if used externally

Topicals

Including Creams, Lotions, Oils, Tinctures, Serums & Ointments

Topical marijuana comes in a range of products, from lip balms to bath bombs to massage oils to lubes. They’re an easy go-to for beauty and wellness applications. As such, topicals can have a place in both medical and personal care regimens.

With topicals, the THC and other cannabinoids tend stay near the surface of the skin — they don’t enter the bloodstream in the same way as other formulations might. Because of this, topical marijuana products are likely to have a more localized, shorter-lasting effect.

Topicals are for use on top of the skin. The topical of choice is simply rubbed into the skin at the desired area.

Pros

Easy to use

Readily available

Great for newbees

Available in a ton of varieties to suit diverse needs

Near-immediate onset of effects

Long shelf life

Some products may be in travel-friendly formats/sizes

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Appropriate for daily usage routines

Cons

Can be messy to apply

May transfer to other surfaces

Hard to gauge dosing

Difficult to be precise or consistent with application

May require more frequent re-application

May be expensive

Good or Bad? You Decide!

Effects wear off sooner (often within a few hours)

Localized — not systemic — effects

May have lots of ingredients besides cannabis

Capsules, Softgels & Tablets

Marijuana also comes in pill forms. The different kinds of pills — softgels, capsules, and tablets — have their own unique features. Some are oil-based; some are coated; some have time-release mechanisms.

Regardless of variety, softgels, capsules, and tablets are intended for internal use via oral consumption.

Pros

Extremely quick and convenient

Precise dosing

Easy to use

Widely available in a range of doses, and quantities

Travel-friendly formats/sizes

Good shelf life with proper storage

May provide a more gradual onset, high, come-down than some other formulations

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Appropriate for daily usage routines

Cons

Relatively expensive per dose

Not suitable for those who have difficulty swallowing

Partial dosing may not be possible

Good or Bad? You Decide!

Effects may last longer

Systemic effects

Frequently available as functional wellness formulations (e.g., sleep, mood, or muscle recovery aids)

May have lots of ingredients besides cannabis

Transdermal Patches & Gels

Transdermal products are similar to topicals in that they’re designed for external use and go on the surface of your skin. But, there are significant differences that set transdermals apart — like their formulation and how long the effects last.

Transdermal gel is specially made to deliver substances through the skin and into the bloodstream in a time-release manner. Patches are pre-loaded with transdermal gel.

Transdermal patches and gels are commonly used by those with persistent, recurring, or chronic body aches.

It’s important to be careful when using transdermal products so as to not get the gel anywhere but its target area. They should only be applied to clean, dry, unbroken skin. It may be necessary to change the application site each time. Patches and gels are intended to be put on the skin over the trouble zone.

Pros

Patches last for a long time (Some can be worn for hours or days.)

Quick onset of effects

Sustained or prolonged effects

Patches are readily available

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Patches are no mess or fuss

Highly effective delivery method (1)

Cons

Expensive

Gels not as commonly accessible

Gels are messy

High risk of contaminating other surfaces (e.g., other areas of body, clothing, etc.)

May not be able to reapply in same spot

Can’t use patches on irritated skin or areas with hair

Sprays & Mists

Squirtable marijuana? Yup! Oral, nasal, and facial cannabis sprays are a thing. They simply have a liquid that’s infused with THC, CBD, and other plant compounds. You’ll see cannabis sprays for an assortment of beauty and personal care purposes.

Effects and other usage characteristics depend on which type of spray you opt for. Oral and nasal sprays will cross the tissue barrier and enter the bloodstream like sublingual/ingested and intranasal products. Facial sprays are topicals.

Oral sprays are spritzed into the mouth, nasal sprays are spritzed into the nose, and facial sprays are spritzed onto the face.

Pros

Convenient

Easy to use

Quick onset of effects

Readily available

Relatively fast acting

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Great for those who have difficulty swallowing

Decent shelf life with proper storage

Cons

Imprecise application and dosing

May be difficult to do partial doses

Not necessarily a great option for travel

Dissolvable Strips

You may be able to find marijuana-laced tabs. These work like those breath strips that you place in your mouth and let melt away. Some of the cannabis will enter your system sublingually while the rest is ingested.

The strip goes under the tongue and is left there to [quickly] dissolve.

Pros

Portable & convenient

Rapid onset of effects

Dosing is variable, easy and precise

Great for travel or on-the-go people

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Sublingual administration is a relatively effective delivery method

No mess or fuss

Cons

Not as easy to find

Taste may be off-putting, especially for higher-dosed strips

May contain other ingredients that are harmful

Fragile — easily ruined if they get wet or are in a humid environment

Intranasal Creams & Gels

The main distinction between these and run-of-the-mill topicals is that intranasal creams and gels are immediately absorbed through the nasal membranes. This means the cannabis directly enters the bloodstream and essentially impacts your body like an internal-use product.

Intranasal creams are dabbed onto the insides of the nostrils and gently, but thoroughly, rubbed in. It can help to lightly press the nostrils together after applying the product to help ensure coverage.

Pros

Highly effective delivery method (2)

Quick absorption and onset of effects (3)

Easy to use

Portable

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Cons

Not as available as other products

Could be messy

May contain other ingredients that are harmful

Suppositories

At first blush, this may seem surprising. But, there’s definitely a place for cannabis products that are inserted into the bum or vagina. Most often they’re used for therapeutic purposes, like alleviating pain.(4)

Depending on the product and way it’s use, suppositories can act like a topical and/or like internally-consumed cannabis. This is because the groin area has areas of membranes or very thin skin that let the cannabis pass through to the bloodstream.

It may take some practice and finesse, but basically the product is positioned at the opening of the rectum/vagina and then pushed in with the finger.

Pros

Can be a very effective delivery method

Onset of effects is fairly rapid

Portable (usually individually wrapped)

Pre-dosed for ease and convenience

Readily available

Doesn’t require any special accessories or equipment to use

Cons

Some may find application of suppositories uncomfortable

Could be tricky to get the hang of using

May contain other ingredients that are harmful

Inhalers

Cannabis inhalers look and function like asthma inhalers. A little pressurized metal canister filled with a marijuana-infused solution fit snugly into a plastic actuator that has a metering valve.

Because of the anti-inflammatory and bronchodilation properties of cannabis, this formulation is aimed at addressing airway ailments.

There’s a bit of art and science that goes into proper use of an inhaler. The gist, though, is that one deeply breathes in (through the mouth) the aerosolized marijuana that’s expressed from the canister when it’s pushed on.

Pros

Highly effective delivery method (5)

Portable & convenient

Quick onset of effects

Pre-dosed for ease

No mess or fuss

Cons

Not as widely available as other formulations

May contain other ingredients that are harmful

Isolates

aka Crystals or Crystalline

This is the purest form of cannabis. The processing techniques extract and isolate a single cannabinoid — like THC or CBD. All other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc. are stripped away. What’s left is almost 100% pure crystals, which are often pulverized into powder. Isolates have no flavor, fragrance, or color.

Many isolates require heating or decarbing to yield the full effect of the cannabinoid.

Isolates can be taken orally or smoked. They may be used as-is alone or incorporated into things like tinctures or capsules. Crystalline can also be added to other cannabis products to amplify the effects.

Pros

Versatile

Highly concentrated

High potency

Retain tons of control over dosing

Readily available

Cons

Can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing

Not ideal for newbees

Highly processed product

No benefit from other cannabinoids or plant compounds

May contain harmful residuals from the growing or manufacturing process

Injections

We’re including these here because they do exist. But, injectable marijuana products are only used in certain medical or research settings.

Don’t. It’s not intended for personal use or administration. Generally, it’s only delivered this way by a professional as part of a formal clinical study.

Pros

Medically prepared and supervised in a controlled environment

Cons

It’s dangerous. Don’t do it.

As you can see, there’s no shortage of marijuana dispensary products. You could try something new every day if that strikes your fancy!

But, to dial in to the cannabis formulations and products that work for you — you’ll really have to assess your needs and preferences, consider the pros and cons of each preparation, and do some research. It may take some trial, error, and patience, too!

A good first step is to browse the internet or go down to your local dispensary. Explore the personal and medical marijuana products for sale. Get answers to your questions. And, when you’re ready, maybe give a few products a try.