Flower, or bud, is the smokable, trichome-covered part of a female cannabis plant. Flower is the most popular form of cannabis due to its versatility since it can be consumed in a variety of ways, including smoked in a pipe or joint, vaporized in a vaporizer, or incorporated into edibles.

Loose flower is what it sounds like — just buds on their own, not rolled or processed. Purchased in a dispensary, loose flower might come in a jar or sealed bag labeled by strain and weight. Once harvested from the cannabis plant, dried, and cured, flower must still be ground, usually in a cannabis grinder, to make it easier to handle and consume. Once ground, it can be rolled into a joint, packed in a bong bowl, or decarbed and used in homemade edibles.

Another way to buy flower is in pre-rolled joints or pre-rolls. It’s a high-convenience product that saves the consumer having to grind, pack, and roll the joint on their own. Pre-rolls are usually sold in single- to three-pack sizes of about 0.75 grams per joint. Product diversification being what it is, expect to find broader options in some locations. Pre-rolls may also be available adorned with wax and other concentrates inside or out, dipped in cannabis oil, rolled in kief, or all of the above