Cannabis Buying Guide for Beginners: How to Choose Cannabis Products
Cannabis Buying Guide for Beginners: How to Choose Cannabis Products
Buying cannabis can be confusing when you are faced with unfamiliar product names, cannabinoid percentages, terpene information, product categories, labels, testing documents, and retailer claims.
A good cannabis buying decision starts with understanding what you are looking at rather than choosing a product based only on price, potency, branding, or marketing language.
This beginner-friendly cannabis buying guide explains how to research cannabis products, understand product categories, read labels, evaluate available testing information, compare products, and identify the information worth checking before making a purchase.
Important: Cannabis laws, product availability, age requirements, and purchasing rules vary by jurisdiction and product type. Always verify the current requirements that apply to your location and the specific product you are considering.
What You Will Learn
This cannabis buying guide covers:
How to compare cannabis products
The main cannabis product categories
How to read cannabis labels
THC and CBD basics
Cannabis terpenes
Cannabinoid information
Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
Cannabis flower characteristics
Product quality information
How to compare retailers
Common purchasing mistakes
Cannabis storage basics
Questions to ask before purchasing
What Should You Consider Before Buying Cannabis?
Before choosing a cannabis product, consider several pieces of information together.
These can include:
Product type
Intended use
Cannabinoid information
Potency
Terpene information
Ingredients
Product quantity
Testing information
Brand or manufacturer
Packaging information
Storage requirements
Price
Applicable purchasing restrictions
There is no single number or label element that tells you everything about a product.
A more informed comparison considers the complete product information.
Step 1: Understand Cannabis Product Categories
Cannabis products can take many forms.
Common categories include:
Flower
Pre-rolls
Edibles
Vapes
Concentrates
Tinctures
Capsules
Topicals
CBD products
Each category has different characteristics.
For a detailed overview, read our Cannabis Product Categories Explained.
Cannabis Flower
Flower refers to the dried and prepared flowers of the cannabis plant.
When researching flower, consumers may compare:
Strain or cultivar name
Cannabinoid content
Terpene profile
Appearance
Aroma
Quantity
Harvest or packaging information
Testing information
Read our Complete Cannabis Flower Guide for a deeper explanation.
Pre-Rolls
Pre-rolls contain cannabis flower that has been prepared for use in a ready-to-use format.
When comparing pre-rolls, check:
Total weight
Number of pre-rolls
Cannabis type
Cannabinoid information
Ingredients where applicable
Brand
Testing information
Edibles
Edibles are cannabis products designed to be consumed rather than inhaled.
They can include products such as:
Gummies
Chocolates
Baked goods
Beverages
Capsules
Pay particular attention to serving information and total cannabinoid content when evaluating edible products.
Vapes
Cannabis vape products can contain extracts or other formulations designed for vaporization.
When researching a vape product, check:
Product type
Amount of extract
Ingredients
Cannabinoid information
Hardware information
Testing information
Manufacturer information
Concentrates
Concentrates contain cannabis extracts and can include several different formulations.
Product names can include terms such as:
Live resin
Rosin
Distillate
Wax
Shatter
Diamonds
Because these products can differ considerably, understand the specific product type before comparing prices or potency.
Step 2: Learn How to Read Cannabis Labels
Cannabis labels contain information that can help you understand what a product is and what it contains.
Depending on the product and jurisdiction, a label may include:
Product name
Net quantity
Ingredients
Cannabinoid content
Serving information
Manufacturer
Batch or lot number
Packaging date
Expiration or best-by information
Testing information
Warnings
Storage instructions
For a complete explanation, read our How to Read Cannabis Product Labels guide.
Step 3: Understand THC and CBD
THC and CBD are two of the best-known cannabinoids associated with cannabis.
THC
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid commonly associated with the intoxicating effects of cannabis.
CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is another widely studied cannabinoid.
Products can contain different amounts and ratios of cannabinoids.
For a beginner-friendly comparison, read our THC vs CBD guide.
Step 4: Understand Cannabinoid Information
Cannabis contains many cannabinoids.
In addition to THC and CBD, products and laboratory reports may reference other cannabinoids.
Depending on the product, you may encounter terms such as:
CBG
CBC
CBN
THCA
CBDA
The presence and amount of individual cannabinoids can vary between products.
Learn more in our Cannabinoids Explained guide.
Step 5: Learn About Cannabis Terpenes
Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, including cannabis.
They contribute to the aroma and flavor characteristics associated with different cannabis varieties.
Commonly discussed cannabis terpenes include:
Myrcene
Limonene
Caryophyllene
Pinene
Linalool
When comparing products, terpene information can provide additional context beyond cannabinoid percentages.
Read our Cannabis Terpenes Explained guide.
Step 6: Understand Cannabis Strain and Cultivar Information
Cannabis products may be described using strain or cultivar names.
You may also see terms such as:
Indica
Sativa
Hybrid
These terms are commonly used to describe cannabis products, although they do not provide a complete scientific description of a product’s chemical profile.
For more information, see:
and our Indica vs Sativa vs Hybrid guide.
Step 7: Understand Cannabis Flower Quality
When comparing cannabis flower, look beyond the strain name.
Useful information can include:
Appearance
Aroma
Trichome development
Moisture and texture
Cannabinoid profile
Terpene profile
Harvest information
Packaging information
Testing documentation
Our Cannabis Flower Anatomy guide explains the main visible structures of cannabis flower.
Step 8: Check for Laboratory Testing
Laboratory testing can provide additional information about a cannabis product.
Where available, a Certificate of Analysis (COA) may contain information about:
Cannabinoid concentrations
Certain contaminants
Microbial testing
Heavy metals
Pesticides
Residual solvents
Other laboratory-tested characteristics
The exact tests depend on the product and laboratory.
When reviewing a COA, check whether it clearly identifies the product or batch being tested and whether the document appears consistent with the product listing.
Learn more in our Understanding Cannabis COAs guide.
Step 9: Compare Product Potency Carefully
Potency is one factor consumers often use when comparing cannabis products.
However, potency should not be considered in isolation.
For example, two products can have different cannabinoid percentages but also differ in:
Product category
Quantity
Formulation
Serving size
Ingredients
Terpene profile
Testing information
Compare the complete product information rather than assuming that a higher number automatically means a better product.
Step 10: Compare the Complete Price
When comparing prices, calculate the complete cost.
Consider:
Product price
Product quantity
Shipping charges
Applicable fees
Discounts
Minimum-order requirements
Subscription requirements where applicable
A lower headline price does not necessarily represent a lower overall cost.
Step 11: Research the Brand or Manufacturer
Look for information about the company or manufacturer responsible for the product.
Useful information can include:
Company details
Product information
Manufacturing information
Testing information
Customer support
Contact information
Policies
A retailer should make it reasonably easy to understand where product information comes from.
Step 12: Compare Online Cannabis Retailers
If you are researching products online, compare the retailer as well as the product.
Look for:
Clear product descriptions
Accurate quantities
Transparent pricing
Testing information where applicable
Shipping policies
Age-verification requirements
Privacy information
Return policies
Customer support
Read our Complete Guide to Choosing an Online Cannabis Retailer for a broader retailer comparison framework.
Step 13: Understand Age Verification and Purchasing Requirements
Online purchasing requirements vary by product and jurisdiction.
A retailer may use:
Age confirmation
Electronic age verification
Identity verification
Adult-signature delivery
Other verification procedures
Do not assume that a website’s marketing claim accurately describes every requirement.
Review the retailer’s current policies before purchasing.
You can also read our Online Dispensary ID Requirements and Age Verification Guide.
Step 14: Check Shipping Restrictions
Shipping rules can vary according to the product and destination.
Before ordering online, check:
Whether the product can be shipped to your location
Restricted destinations
Processing times
Shipping methods
Tracking information
Delivery requirements
Signature requirements
Returned-package policies
Never assume that a retailer can legally ship every product everywhere.
Step 15: Understand How to Store Cannabis Products
Proper storage can help protect product quality.
Storage considerations can include:
Temperature
Light exposure
Humidity
Air exposure
Container type
For cannabis flower specifically, see our How to Store Cannabis Flower guide.
Common Cannabis Buying Mistakes
Choosing Only by THC Percentage
A cannabinoid percentage is useful information, but it does not describe every characteristic of a product.
Choosing Only by Price
The cheapest advertised product may not have the same quantity, formulation, testing information, or overall value as another product.
Ignoring Product Labels
Labels can provide important information about ingredients, quantity, cannabinoids, warnings, and other product characteristics.
Ignoring Testing Information
Where testing documentation is available, review it rather than relying solely on marketing claims.
Assuming Every Product Is the Same
Cannabis products differ significantly by category, formulation, cannabinoid profile, terpene profile, and manufacturing process.
Ignoring Storage Information
Improper storage can affect the condition of some cannabis products over time.
Relying on Marketing Claims
Marketing language should not replace product-specific information and documentation.
Cannabis Buying Checklist
Before purchasing, ask yourself:
Do I understand the product category?
Do I know the quantity?
Have I reviewed the product label?
Do I understand the cannabinoid information?
Have I checked the ingredients where applicable?
Is testing information available?
Have I reviewed the COA where appropriate?
Do I understand the retailer’s policies?
Have I checked shipping restrictions?
Do I understand age-verification requirements?
Have I compared the complete price?
Do I understand storage requirements?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to choose cannabis products?
Start by identifying the product category you are researching, then compare product information, quantity, cannabinoids, ingredients, testing information, price, and retailer policies.
What should beginners look for when buying cannabis?
Beginners should first understand the product category and then review the product label, cannabinoid information, ingredients, quantity, testing information, and applicable purchasing requirements.
Is higher THC always better?
THC percentage is only one characteristic of a cannabis product. Products can differ in cannabinoids, terpenes, formulation, quantity, and other characteristics.
What is a cannabis COA?
A Certificate of Analysis is laboratory documentation containing testing results for a product or sample. The specific information included depends on the laboratory and testing requirements.
Why are cannabis terpenes important?
Terpenes contribute to the aroma and flavor characteristics associated with cannabis. They are one part of a product’s overall chemical profile.
What is the difference between THC and CBD?
THC and CBD are different cannabinoids with different properties. THC is commonly associated with intoxicating effects, while CBD is not generally intoxicating in the same way.
How should cannabis flower be stored?
Storage conditions should minimize unnecessary exposure to heat, light, air, and unsuitable humidity. Follow product-specific storage recommendations when available.
How can I compare cannabis products online?
Compare products using multiple factors, including category, quantity, cannabinoid information, ingredients, testing documentation, price, shipping requirements, and retailer transparency.
Related Cannabis Guides
Continue your research with these detailed guides:
Final Thoughts
A good cannabis purchase starts with good information.
Instead of choosing a product based on a single number, marketing claim, or headline price, look at the complete picture. Understand the product category, read the label, review cannabinoid and terpene information, check available laboratory documentation, compare the total cost, and understand the retailer’s policies.
The more complete information you have before purchasing, the easier it becomes to compare products and retailers responsibly.
About This Cannabis Buying Guide
Reviewed by: PK God Official Editorial Team
Last updated: October 2026
This guide is provided for general educational purposes. Cannabis laws, product requirements, age restrictions, and purchasing rules vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. Always verify current requirements applicable to your location and the specific product before purchasing.