Cannabis products, compared
New York dispensaries sell cannabis as flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, concentrates, tinctures and topicals, plus the accessories that go with them. They work very differently. Per the state's guide, inhaled products usually take effect in 7 to 10 minutes, while edibles can take 1 to 4 hours. Start by picking the type that fits your night.
Start with the right type of product
Flower
Sold by weight. Smoke it or use a dry-herb vape.Read the guidePre-Rolls
Ready to light. Singles, multi-packs and infused.Read the guideVapes
510 carts and all-in-ones. Far less smell than smoke.Read the guideEdibles
Gummies, chocolates and drinks. 10mg THC max per serving.Read the guideConcentrates
Live resin, rosin, hash and badder. Measured in fractions of a gram.Read the guideTinctures
Measured with a dropper. No smoke or vapor.Read the guideTopicals
Balms, lotions and soaks for the skin. No transdermal patches in NY adult-use.Read the guideAccessories
Batteries, grinders, papers and storage.Read the guide
How cannabis products compare
How fast each one kicks in, how long it usually lasts, how you measure a dose, and how much it smells. Typical ranges, not promises: everyone is different.
| Product | Kicks in | Usually lasts | How you dose | Smell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flower | 7 to 10 min | 1 to 3 hours | Puff by puff | Strong, lingers |
| Pre-rolls | 7 to 10 min | 1 to 3 hours | Puff by puff | Strong, lingers |
| Vapes | 7 to 10 min | 1 to 3 hours | Puff by puff | Lighter, clears faster |
| Concentrates | 7 to 10 min | 1 to 3 hours | Very small amounts | Moderate |
| Edibles | 1 to 4 hours | 4 to 12 hours | Up to 10mg a serving | No smoke or vapor |
| Tinctures, under the tongue | 10 to 30 min | 1 to 3 hours | Marked dropper | No smoke or vapor |
| Topicals | 30 min to 1 hour | 1 to 3 hours | How much you apply | Depends on the product |
Sources: OCM: guide to safer cannabis consumption; OCM: know your edibles. Checked October 2026.
Or start with the evening
Plan for unwind
A quiet night in
No plans, no clock. Start with a small amount you can measure, and only add more after you've waited. If you share walls with neighbors, vapes, edibles and tinctures leave less smell behind than smoke.
Products that fit
Ask a budtender
- What's the smallest serving you carry in each product type?
- Do any of your edibles come in 2.5mg servings?
- What has the least smell?
Plan for social
Friends coming over
Adults 21 and older can share cannabis with each other, without payment or anything in exchange and within the possession limit. Pre-rolls need no grinding or rolling. The state's guide lists 1 to 4 hours for edibles to take effect, so nobody should reach for a second one early.
Products that fit
Ask a budtender
- What comes in pre-measured servings?
- Do you carry multi-pack pre-rolls?
- How long do your edibles usually take to kick in?
Plan for create
Working on a project
Start with an amount you can measure. Inhaled products usually take effect in about 7 to 10 minutes, according to the state's guide, so you can wait and check in before deciding on more.
Products that fit
Ask a budtender
- What can I take in small, measured amounts?
- Which options need the least setup?
- Can you walk me through the terpenes on this lab report?
Plan for late night
Planning a late one
The state's guide says edibles can take 1 to 4 hours to take effect and last 4 to 12 hours, so think about tomorrow morning before you choose one. Inhaled products start sooner and wear off sooner.
Products that fit
Ask a budtender
- How long does this usually last?
- How long should I wait before taking more?
- What's the difference between a 2.5mg and a 10mg serving?
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Product questions, answered
What's the difference between smoking cannabis and eating it?
Timing. According to New York's guide to safer consumption, inhaled cannabis usually takes effect in 7 to 10 minutes and lasts 1 to 3 hours, while edibles take 1 to 4 hours and last 4 to 12 hours.
Which cannabis products have the least smell?
Edibles, tinctures and topicals don't produce smoke or vapor. If scent matters to you, check the ingredients for flavoring or fragrance. Vapes leave less lingering odor than smoke, and flower and pre-rolls smell the most.
How can I measure a small serving?
A tincture's marked dropper lets you measure part of a serving. Edibles can be cut into halves or quarters, which the state suggests when starting at 2.5mg.
How long do cannabis topicals take to work?
About 30 minutes to an hour, with effects lasting around 1 to 3 hours, according to the state's guide to safer consumption. Everyone responds differently.
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