With so many cannabis cultivars, brands, products, cannabinoids, and consumption methods to choose from, having questions can actually mean you walk out with a product that truly fits your preferences and experience level.
Whether you haven’t consumed cannabis in a while, you’re looking for something a little different, or you simply don’t understand something on a product label, licensed dispensary staff will help you navigate your choices.
Here are some questions to consider asking the expert sales specialists at Blue Oak — the Montclair, New Jersey area’s favorite licensed boutique dispensary — during your next visit.
Question 1: What would you recommend if I’m new to cannabis?
If you’re new to cannabis or it’s been a while, a dispensary menu can feel like a lot to take in. Luckily, you don’t need to arrive having all that much of an idea of what you want.
Start by telling dispensary staff about your experience level and how you prefer to consume cannabis. They can help you narrow down the options based on things like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency, product type, and serving size.
Low-THC products, including microdosing-friendly cannabis, can be a good starting point for newer consumers.
Depending on your preferences, you might also consider a pre-roll, lower-dose edible, THC beverage, or another product that makes it easier to control your consumption.
Question 2: What’s the difference between THC and CBD?
If you’ve ever looked at cannabis packaging and wondered what all those cannabinoid numbers mean, you’re not alone.
THC and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most well-known cannabinoids in cannabis. THC is responsible for the intoxicating effects associated with cannabis, while CBD on its own is not intoxicating. You may also see other minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN) listed on product packaging.
Cannabinoid amounts and combinations vary from one product to another. If you’re comparing two products and aren’t sure what the differences mean, ask an expert sales specialist to walk you through the labels.
You can also tell them if you’re specifically looking for a product with a certain cannabinoid profile.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for yet, that’s fine, too. Dispensary staff will help you understand your options.
Question 3: How much cannabis should I consume?
There’s no single dose of cannabis that’s right for everyone. Your experience level, tolerance, and individual response (and the product type) can all affect how cannabis feels.
Careful dosing is especially important with edibles. Check the serving size on the package so you know how much THC is in one serving, rather than looking at the total amount in the package.
If you’re newer to cannabis, dispensary staff can explain the serving size and help you understand how much you’re actually consuming.
Starting with a lower amount and giving yourself time to see how you respond can help you find an amount that works for you. Microdosing 2.5mg of THC or lower is best for those new to edibles or for those who want less of a psychoactive effect.
Question 4: What’s the difference between indica, sativa, and hybrid?
Indica, sativa, and hybrid are terms you’re likely to see throughout a dispensary menu.
Indica is often described as more relaxing, while sativa is often said to be more energizing. Hybrids may fall anywhere in between, depending on their genetics and other characteristics.
Although learning what these categories mean can be a helpful way to get more familiar with cannabis and start understanding your own preferences, these labels don’t tell you everything.
Instead, factors such as cannabinoid content, terpene profile, THC potency, and your individual response are stronger indicators of your potential experience with a product.
Question 5: What are terpenes, and do they matter?
If you’ve ever noticed that one cannabis product smells fruity while another smells earthy, citrusy, floral, or peppery, you’ve already experienced the influence of cannabis terpenes.
These aromatic compounds are found in cannabis and many other plants. They contribute to the flavors and aromas that make different cannabis products distinct.
Some common cannabis terpenes include:
- Myrcene: Often associated with earthy and herbal aromas.
- Limonene: Commonly associated with citrus aromas.
- Linalool: Often found in floral and lavender-like profiles.
- Beta-caryophyllene: Known for its peppery, spicy aroma.
Understanding terpenes can help you compare products, especially if you already know which flavors or aromas you enjoy.
If you love a certain cannabis product for its citrusy, fruity, or earthy flavor, tell your expert sales specialist. They can point you toward other products with similar terpene profiles.
Question 6: What if I don’t want to get too “high”?
Not everyone wants the highest-THC product on the menu.
If you prefer a more manageable experience, let your budtender know.
They can help you compare products based on THC potency, other cannabinoids, serving size, and consumption method.
Importantly, more THC doesn’t automatically mean a better product. The focus should be on finding a product that matches your comfort level, not just something high in THC.
Question 7: How long will this edible take to kick in?
Cannabis edibles can take longer to produce noticeable effects than inhaled cannabis, so this question is good to ask if you’re buying an edible.
As with all cannabis products, edibles’ onset time can vary from person to person and between products.
Your sales specialist can explain the serving size and help you understand what to expect from the edible you’re considering.
Most importantly, don’t assume an edible isn’t working just because you don’t feel it immediately. Give it at least two hours to take effect before deciding whether to consume more.
Understanding the serving size and expected onset time can make it easier to plan your consumption around your day, especially if you’re trying an edible for the first time.
Question 8: I don’t smoke. What would you recommend instead?
You don’t have to smoke cannabis to enjoy it.
Licensed New Jersey dispensaries like Blue Oak offer a variety of non-inhalable product types, including edibles, beverages, and tinctures.
Depending on what you’re comfortable with, dispensary staff can explain how different product types work and help you compare them.
If you want something simple to use at home or you don’t want to inhale cannabis, state that outright so you get proper recommendations.
In short, there’s no reason to choose a consumption method just because someone else prefers it. Choose the type of product that fits your routine.
Question 9: I liked a product before, but I don’t see it on the menu. Is there something similar?
Dispensary menus change regularly, so your favorite product may not always be available.
If you don’t see something you’ve enjoyed before, tell your budtender what you liked about it. This could be the cultivar, flavor, aroma, potency, cannabinoid profile, or even the product type.
For example, if you enjoyed an edible because it was lower in THC content, dispensary staff can help you find something with a similar serving size.
If you liked a strain because of its fruity flavor, your sales specialist may be able to recommend another product with a similar terpene profile.
You don’t have to start from scratch just because your usual product is out of stock.
Question 10: Can I ask about something I saw online?
Of course. If you’ve seen a cultivar, brand, product, or cannabis term online and aren’t sure what it means, bring it up during your visit.
Maybe a friend recommended a particular edible. Maybe you saw a product on social media. Maybe you read about a minor cannabinoid and want to know more before trying it.
Dispensary staff can help you understand what’s available and compare it with other products on the menu.
You can also come in without a specific product in mind. Tell your expert sales specialist what you’ve tried before, what you liked or didn’t like, and what you’re looking for this time.
Your questions are always welcome at Blue Oak
You don’t have to be a cannabis expert to have a productive dispensary visit.
At Blue Oak, an independent, woman-owned dispensary, our expert sales specialists answer your questions, help you navigate our menu, and find products that fit your experience level and preferences.
We’re easy to reach from the Garden State Parkway and much of North Jersey, and we’re discreetly located in a nondescript medical building, with parking in the back away from the main street.
Whether you’re trying cannabis for the first time, looking for something new, or seeking a replacement for an old favorite, pay us a visit in Bloomfield and ask away.