One of the most common questions we hear from new cannabis buyers — and returning customers exploring something different — is simple: what’s the best way to actually consume this? The answer depends entirely on what you’re looking for. Different consumption methods produce genuinely different experiences in terms of onset speed, intensity, duration, and convenience. Understanding the differences before you buy means you’re far more likely to get the experience you’re actually after.
Here are the 7 main ways to consume cannabis, what makes each one distinct, and how to decide which is right for you.
1. Smoking Flower
Smoking dried cannabis flower is the oldest and most widely recognized method of cannabis consumption. Ground flower is packed into a pipe, bong, or rolled into a joint and ignited — the smoke is inhaled, and THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs.
Onset: 2–10 minutes Duration: 1–3 hours Intensity: Moderate — easy to titrate by controlling how much you inhale
Smoking is one of the most straightforward methods for new users to manage their dose incrementally. Take one or two inhalations, wait 10–15 minutes, and assess how you feel before deciding whether to take more. The relatively fast onset makes it easy to find your comfortable level without accidentally overdoing it.
The main drawback is the combustion itself. Cannabis smoke contains many of the same byproducts as tobacco smoke — if respiratory health is a concern, other methods may be preferable.
Browse our full flower menu at The Purple Leaf — including indica, sativa, and hybrid strains in quality grades from AA to AAAA.
Best for: Users who prefer the traditional cannabis experience, social settings, and incremental dose control.
2. Vaping
Vaping heats cannabis oil or flower to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as vapour — without combustion. The vapour is inhaled and absorbed through the lungs in a similar way to smoke, but without the harmful byproducts of burning plant material.
Onset: 2–10 minutes Duration: 1–3 hours Intensity: Moderate to high depending on the oil type and THC percentage
Cannabis vaping comes in two main formats. Vape pens and disposables use pre-filled cannabis oil cartridges — the most popular and beginner-friendly option. Dry herb vaporizers heat actual flower rather than oil, preserving more of the terpene profile at the cost of a slightly more involved setup.
Vaping is one of the fastest-growing consumption methods in Canada for good reason. It’s discreet, produces minimal odour, requires no preparation, and delivers effects as quickly as smoking with a cleaner respiratory profile.
Our vapes and cartridges section carries disposable pens, 510-thread cartridges, and vaporizer accessories — all authentic, lab-tested products.
Best for: Users who want the speed of inhalation without the smoke, first-time vapers, and anyone prioritising discretion and convenience.
3. Edibles
Cannabis-infused food and drink products are one of the most popular categories in the legal Canadian market — and one of the most frequently misunderstood. Edibles are processed through the digestive system and metabolised by the liver, where THC is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that produces effects significantly more intense and longer-lasting than inhaled cannabis.
Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours Duration: 4–8 hours Intensity: High — significantly stronger and longer than inhaled methods at equivalent doses
The delayed onset is the single most important thing to understand about edibles. New users who feel nothing after 45 minutes and take more are responsible for the overwhelming majority of uncomfortable first edibles experiences. The rule is non-negotiable: start with 2.5–5 mg THC, wait a full two hours, and only then decide whether more is appropriate.
The upside of edibles is that same duration and intensity — for users who want a longer, more sustained experience without having to re-dose, edibles are unmatched. They’re also ideal for users who prefer not to inhale anything at all.
Our edibles menu includes gummies and candy, chocolate and baked goods, drinks and powders, and capsules for precise dosing.
Best for: Users who prefer not to smoke or vape, those looking for a longer-lasting experience, and anyone who needs a discreet, odourless consumption method.
4. Capsules and Pills
Cannabis capsules are essentially edibles in their most clinical and precise form — a measured dose of cannabis oil in a standard gel cap or tablet format. They are processed the same way as edibles, with the same onset time and duration, but offer a level of dosing precision that gummies or baked goods simply cannot match.
Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours Duration: 4–8 hours Intensity: High — same profile as edibles
Capsules are popular with medical and wellness-focused cannabis users who need consistent, repeatable dosing — people using cannabis to manage chronic pain, sleep disorders, or anxiety on a regular schedule. A 10 mg capsule delivers the same dose every single time, with no variation based on how a gummy was cut or how evenly oil was distributed through a brownie.
Browse our capsules at The Purple Leaf for currently available options.
Best for: Medical and wellness users, anyone who values precise consistent dosing, and users who want a completely discreet and tasteless consumption method.
5. Concentrates and Dabbing
Cannabis concentrates — shatter, live resin, hash rosin, distillate, crumble, and hash — are high-potency extracts that contain anywhere from 60% to 90%+ THC. Dabbing is the most common consumption method for concentrates: a small amount of concentrate is placed on a heated element called a nail or banger attached to a dab rig, vapourised instantly, and inhaled.
Onset: Near-immediate — within seconds Duration: 1–3 hours Intensity: Very high — not appropriate for new or low-tolerance users
Dabbing delivers the most intense, immediate cannabis experience available in the legal market. The flavour profile of high-quality concentrates — particularly live resin and hash rosin — is also unmatched by any other consumption method, making it the preferred choice of connoisseurs who prioritise both potency and flavour.
This method is not appropriate for first-time buyers or anyone without established cannabis tolerance. The intensity of a concentrate dab far exceeds what most new users are prepared for.
Our concentrates menu includes shatter, live resin, hash rosin, distillate, crumble, and traditional hash — all available with local London delivery or Canada Post shipping Canada-wide.
Best for: Experienced users with high tolerance, flavour-focused consumers, and anyone seeking maximum potency from a single session.
6. Tinctures and Oils
Cannabis tinctures and oils are liquid cannabis extracts — typically cannabis oil suspended in a carrier like MCT oil — administered under the tongue (sublingually) using a dropper. The cannabinoids are absorbed through the mucous membranes beneath the tongue directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
Onset: 15–45 minutes (faster than edibles, slower than inhalation) Duration: 2–4 hours Intensity: Moderate — easier to control than edibles with more predictable onset
Sublingual administration sits between inhalation and edibles in terms of onset and duration. It offers more dosing precision than most edibles, a reasonably predictable timeline, and a completely smoke-free experience. The taste can be an acquired one — cannabis oils have a distinctive, earthy flavour that not everyone enjoys straight — but many users mix them into food or drink to mask it.
Oils and tinctures are particularly popular in the CBD space, where precise daily dosing for ongoing wellness use is the priority. Browse our CBD products for available CBD oil options.
Best for: Users who want a smoke-free, vape-free option with faster onset than edibles, wellness-focused users, and anyone who prefers a liquid format for easy mixing into food or drink.
7. Topicals
Cannabis topicals — creams, balms, salves, and lotions infused with CBD or THC — are applied directly to the skin for localised relief. Unlike every other method on this list, properly formulated topicals do not enter the bloodstream in meaningful quantities and produce no psychoactive effect.
Onset: 15–45 minutes (localised effect only) Duration: 2–4 hours Intensity: Non-psychoactive — no high
Topicals work by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the skin and underlying tissue, providing targeted relief from inflammation, muscle soreness, joint pain, and skin conditions without any systemic psychoactive effect. They are the most accessible entry point for cannabis-curious users who are not ready for any psychoactive experience whatsoever.
CBD topicals in particular have gained mainstream acceptance across Canada as a wellness product — used by everyone from athletes managing training soreness to older adults seeking relief from arthritis-related joint pain.
Browse our body care and topicals section including balms and salves at The Purple Leaf.
Best for: Users seeking localised pain and inflammation relief, anyone not interested in psychoactive effects, and cannabis-curious users looking for the lowest-risk introduction to cannabis products.
Which Consumption Method Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick summary to help you decide.
Choose smoking or vaping if you want fast onset, easy dose control, and a familiar format. Vaping is the better choice if respiratory health is a concern.
Choose edibles or capsules if you prefer not to inhale, want a longer-lasting experience, or need precise and consistent dosing. Always start with a low dose and respect the onset timeline.
Choose concentrates if you are an experienced user with established tolerance who is looking for maximum potency and the richest possible flavour experience.
Choose tinctures and oils if you want a smoke-free option with faster onset than edibles and easy mixing into food or drinks.
Choose topicals if you want localised relief from pain or inflammation without any psychoactive effect — or if you’re brand new to cannabis and want the most accessible possible starting point.
Not sure which direction is right for you? Our team at The Purple Leaf is available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM EST, at 519-777-9498. We’re always happy to walk you through the options based on your specific needs and experience level — no pressure, no judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to consume cannabis for the first time? A low-THC vape pen or a low-dose edible (2.5–5 mg THC) are the most commonly recommended starting points for first-time buyers. Both are discreet, easy to dose, and widely available. Avoid concentrates until you have established tolerance.
How long do the effects of cannabis last? It depends on the consumption method. Inhaled cannabis (smoking and vaping) lasts 1–3 hours. Edibles and capsules last 4–8 hours. Topicals provide localised relief for 2–4 hours with no psychoactive effect.
What is the fastest way to feel the effects of cannabis? Smoking and vaping deliver effects within 2–10 minutes. Dabbing concentrates produces near-immediate effects but is not recommended for new users.
Are edibles stronger than smoking cannabis? For most people, yes. Edibles are processed by the liver and produce a more intense, longer-lasting effect than the same amount of THC inhaled. Always start with a low dose of 2.5–5 mg THC and wait two hours before taking more.
Where can I buy cannabis products for all consumption methods in London, Ontario? The Purple Leaf carries flower, vapes, edibles, concentrates, capsules, oils, and topicals — every major consumption method covered in one place. Shop online at thepurple-leaf.com or call 519-777-9498 Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM EST. Local delivery available. Ships across Canada.
Shop Every Consumption Method at The Purple Leaf
Whatever way you choose to consume cannabis, The Purple Leaf has you covered. Browse our complete product range online Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 8 PM EST.
Visit thepurple-leaf.com or call 519-777-9498.
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The Purple Leaf — London, Ontario’s trusted cannabis dispensary. Licensed, tested, knowledgeable. Local delivery available. Ships across Canada.
Please note: This article is general information, not medical advice. Cannabis affects everyone differently. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using cannabis for any health reason, especially if you take medication. You must be 19 or older to buy cannabis in Ontario.
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