Cannabis Products Available in California

Last verified: March 2026

Flower

Flower remains the most traditional and widely consumed cannabis product in California. It is the dried, cured bud of the cannabis plant — what most people picture when they think of cannabis. California flower is considered among the best in the world, thanks to decades of breeding expertise and the state's ideal growing climates.

• How it works: Smoked in joints, pipes, bongs, or dry herb vaporizers. Onset is nearly immediate (1–5 minutes), peak effect at 15–30 minutes, duration 1–3 hours
• THC range: Typically 15–30% THC for retail flower. Some strains test above 30%
• Price: Average eighth (3.5g) runs $27–$29. Ounces average $62–$74. Premium indoor from brands like Alien Labs or 710 Labs can reach $60+ per eighth
• Best for: Experienced consumers who enjoy the ritual and full terpene experience. The widest selection of strains and effects

Vape Cartridges & Pods

Vaporizers heat cannabis oil to produce an inhalable vapor without combustion. They are the second most popular product category in California and the most popular among newer consumers.

• How it works: A battery-powered device heats a pre-filled cartridge or pod of cannabis oil. Onset is nearly immediate, similar to flower. Minimal odor compared to smoking
• STIIIZY dominates: STIIIZY is the #1 cannabis brand in California by sales, largely because of its proprietary pod vape system. The STIIIZY pod is designed to work only with STIIIZY batteries, creating an Apple-like ecosystem. Other major brands include Raw Garden, Select, and Friendly Farms
• Price: Half-gram cartridges run $20–$40. Full-gram cartridges $30–$60. STIIIZY starter kits (battery + pod) start around $40
• Best for: Convenience, discretion, and controlled dosing. Ideal for visitors who want minimal odor and easy portability

Edibles

Edibles are cannabis-infused food and candy products — gummies, chocolates, mints, cookies, and more. They are the most common entry point for cannabis newcomers but also the most common source of negative experiences due to delayed onset.

• How it works: THC is metabolized through the digestive system and liver, converting to 11-hydroxy-THC — a more potent compound. Onset takes 30–90 minutes (sometimes up to 2 hours). Effects last 4–8 hours and are often more intense than inhaled cannabis
• Dosing limits: Recreational edibles are capped at 100mg THC per package, divided into 10mg servings. Medical edibles allow up to 200mg per package. Start with 2.5–5mg if you are new to edibles
• Price: A standard 100mg gummy package costs $15–$30. Premium brands and specialty items can reach $40+
• Best for: Consumers who do not want to smoke or vape. Long-lasting effects. But requires patience and discipline with dosing

Concentrates

Concentrates are high-potency cannabis extracts that isolate cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. They represent the premium end of the California market.

• Types: Live resin (extracted from fresh-frozen flower, preserving terpenes), live rosin (solventless extraction using heat and pressure — considered the cleanest form), shatter, wax, budder, diamonds, and sauce
• Live rosin surge: Solventless concentrates are the fastest-growing premium category in California, with sales up 8% year-over-year and product count up 11%. Consumers are paying a premium for the purity of solventless extraction
• Price: Approximately $31 per gram on average for concentrates. Premium live rosin from brands like 710 Labs can reach $80+ per gram
• THC range: 70–95% THC. These are not beginner products
• Best for: Experienced consumers with established tolerance who want maximum potency and terpene expression

Beverages

Cannabis beverages are the fastest-growing product category in California and represent a fundamental shift in how people consume cannabis:

• Market size: $198.9 million in total sales, growing at 8.2% year-over-year — one of the few categories showing consistent growth in a declining market
• THC seltzers: The breakout product. Brands like Cann, Pabst Labs, and Lagunitas Hi-Fi Hops are positioning THC seltzers as an alcohol alternative for the "sober-curious" movement. Low-dose formulations (2.5–5mg THC) are designed to mimic the social experience of having a drink without the hangover
• Onset: Faster than traditional edibles (15–30 minutes) due to nano-emulsion technology that increases bioavailability. Duration is shorter too — typically 1–3 hours, closer to the alcohol experience arc
• Price: Single-serve beverages typically $5–$8. Multi-packs available
• Best for: Social situations, alcohol replacement, precise low dosing, and consumers who want a familiar consumption ritual

Topicals & Tinctures

• Topicals: Cannabis-infused creams, lotions, balms, and transdermal patches applied to the skin. Most topicals provide localized relief without psychoactive effects — the cannabinoids interact with receptors in the skin without entering the bloodstream. Used primarily for pain, inflammation, and skin conditions
• Tinctures: Liquid cannabis extracts administered under the tongue (sublingual). Onset is faster than edibles (15–30 minutes) because the cannabinoids absorb through the mucous membranes directly into the bloodstream. Precise dosing via dropper. Popular with medical patients who need consistent, measurable doses

How to Choose Based on Experience Level

When in doubt, ask your budtender. They match people with products every day and can tailor a recommendation to your experience level, desired effect, and budget.