Flowers vs Concentrates. What Should I be Smoking?

A wise man once told me, “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” This was certainly the case as a cannabis user before legalization started to spread throughout the country. I’d be lucky to find anything that would be considered today as, “Top Shelf,” and I sure didn’t have the hook-up to get my hands on any sort of concentrates. I’d really be in trouble if my connect was dry or short on product when it came to re-up.

Luckily, these days there are an abundance of options to choose from. Walk into any dispensary and you’ll quickly see rows of flower, shelves of concentrates, walls of edibles and more. Looking for pain relief without the psychoactive feeling of being high? You can find CBD products online without even having to leave your home. There has truly never been more choices for those looking for to use THC or CBD.

But with so many choices to choose from, an inexperienced cannabis user might find themselves uncertain as to what products they should be using. For example, when smoked, are there differences when using flower versus concentrates? As an experienced cannabis user, I can assure you, there are.

With so many options to choose from, here are some things to keep in mind when comparing flower vs concentrates.

Flower & Concentrates

Instead of comparing the two, both flower and concentrates should be looked at alternative options for those looking to get high. Flower is probably what you’re most familiar with when thinking of cannabis - it’s the actual green plant that can be smoked, ingested, or used to make other THC products. Among those products are concentrates, which are more potent versions of cannabis products. Concentrates come in a variety of forms, such as wax, shatter, budder, hash and more.

How You’ll Feel

Many people who smoke flower will attest to the feeling that, once they are familiar with how it makes their body feel, they are able to control their high. This is one reason that so many people rely on cannabis - allowing them the ability to function properly, without feeling overwhelmingly stoned. Whether you have a large project ahead or you simply want to enjoy your day with a higher perspective, it possible to smoke throughout the day and remain productive.

Alternatively, concentrates have such high levels of THC that it can sometimes feel difficult to control the high. If you have a task that you’re working on or need to function properly, this can be a challenge. That said, an indica concentrate may be what you need to help you get the best sleep of your life. It’s important to know that concentrates have their time and place, but they may not be something you can smoke regularly throughout the day.

What’s Your Preference?

As someone who uses cannabis throughout the day, I prefer flower to help stay productive when working on tasks and projects. I also probably have an affinity to flower, as it’s what I grew up smoking. That said, I also enjoy loading up the dab rig when I really need to blast off into space or get a good night of sleep. The kids will probably also tell you that smoking dabs is the “cool new way to get high,” so keep that in mind if you’re looking to boost your street cred.

Use Different Rigs For What You’re Smoking

It can get costly when accumulating varying smoking rigs to better enjoy the experience. That said, investing in new glass is likely going to be a better idea than using the same rig for dabs as you do for flower. Dabs and flower both create their own type of sticky leftover resin, making for less enjoyable smoke sessions if you’re mixing up what you’re smoking in the same piece. Instead, a company like StonedGenie offers cost-friendly bongs and dab rigs. You can add to your collection, without draining your Venmo account.

Choices are a good thing to have - especially when it comes to smoking. Whether you’ve never lit up, you’re a flower smoker wanting to learn more, or you want to better understand how to balance your use, keep in mind this information when considering the difference between flower and concentrates.