Your first dispensary menu can feel like reading a foreign language. Once you know the vocabulary, though, it’s simple. Here’s how to decode it.

Product categories

Flower: the classic dried cannabis bud you grind and smoke.
Pre-rolls: ready-to-smoke joints.
Vape carts: cartridges of cannabis oil for a battery.
Edibles: gummies, chocolates, and drinks with a measured dose.
Concentrates: potent extracts like wax, shatter, and rosin.
Topicals: creams and balms applied to the skin.

Cannabis weights and prices

Flower is usually sold by weight. The common units:

Gram (1g): a single-session amount.
Eighth (3.5g): the most popular size — an “eighth” of an ounce.
Quarter (7g) and half (14g).
Ounce (28g): the largest common size (and often the legal limit to carry).

Reading THC and CBD percentages

Flower is labeled by THC percentage — typically 15–25%+. Higher isn’t always better; potent flower can overwhelm new users. Edibles and carts list milligrams (mg) of THC instead. A standard edible dose is 5–10mg; a whole gummy pack might be 100mg total.

Strain names, indica/sativa, and terpenes

Menus list a strain name (like Blue Dream) plus an indica/sativa/hybrid label and sometimes a terpene profile. Use these as a guide to expected effects — relaxing vs. energizing.

Questions to ask the budtender

“I’m new — what’s a good low-dose option?”
“What do you recommend for sleep / focus / relaxation?”
“Are there any deals or daily specials?”

Before you go

Bring a valid ID, expect to pay cash or debit (many shops don’t take credit cards), and start with a small amount. Ready to browse? Find a dispensary near you and check its live menu and hours.