What cannabis actually is
Cannabis is a flowering plant — Cannabis sativa L. — that produces hundreds of bioactive compounds in the resin glands of its female flowers. The two compounds people care about most are THC (the one that gets you high) and CBD (the one that doesn’t, but does plenty else). The plant also produces aromatic compounds called terpenes — the same family of molecules that gives lavender its scent or pine its sap.
THC, CBD, and the other cannabinoids
THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary intoxicating cannabinoid. It binds to the body’s CB1 receptors and produces the classic cannabis high — euphoria, altered perception, increased appetite. Most flower today tests in the 18–28% THC range. CBD (cannabidiol) is non-intoxicating, often used for relaxation and sleep without altered consciousness. The minor cannabinoids — CBN, CBG, CBC — show up in smaller amounts and shape the overall experience.
The single most important rule in cannabis is start low, and go slow.
Indica, sativa, and the modern hybrid reality
Indica and sativa started as botanical labels — short, broad-leaved plants from Hindu Kush vs tall, narrow-leaved plants from equatorial regions. After fifty years of crossbreeding, the labels have lost most of their precision. Most cannabis sold today is hybrid.
What predicts how a strain feels is not the indica/sativa label but the dominant terpene profile and the cannabinoid ratio. Two strains both labeled "indica" can feel completely different. Ask a budtender to recommend by terpene, not by indica/sativa.
Why terpenes matter as much as cannabinoids
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its smell — and a meaningful share of its effect. The six that matter most:
- Myrcene — earthy, mango-like. Tends toward sedation. Heavy in indica-dominant strains.
- Limonene — citrus. Tends toward elevation. Common in sativa-dominant hybrids.
- Pinene — pine, rosemary. Linked to focus + alertness.
- Linalool — lavender, floral. Tends toward calm + sleep support.
- Caryophyllene — pepper, clove. The only terpene that binds to cannabinoid receptors directly.
- Terpinolene — fresh, herbal. Common in uplifting + creative strains.
Full spectrum versus distillate
Full spectrum cannabis preserves the plant’s full cannabinoid + terpene profile — flower, live resin, live rosin, hash. Distillate is THC isolated to ~95% purity, often with botanical or cannabis-derived terpenes added back. Distillate carts can deliver high THC at lower cost; full-spectrum products cost more but carry more of what makes cannabis taste and feel like cannabis.
Cannabis product formats: a practical comparison
The five main formats — what each is, when to use it, and what to watch for:
| Format | Onset | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flower | 1–5 min | 1–3 hr | Versatile sessions; rolling your own; full-plant taste |
| Pre-rolls | 1–5 min | 1–3 hr | On-the-go; trying a strain |
| Vapes | 1–5 min | 1–2 hr | Discreet; precise dosing; portability |
| Edibles | 30–90 min | 4–8 hr | Smoke-free; long sessions; sleep |
| Concentrates | 1–5 min | 1–3 hr | Experienced consumers; high potency |
Dosing for different experience levels
Cannabis tolerance scales with use. The same dose lands differently on different bodies — and the dose that works on Friday night might be too much on Monday morning. Build in margin.
New York adult-use rules in plain English
Adults 21+ in New York may purchase up to 3 ounces of flower or 24 grams of concentrate per day. Edible packages cap at 100 mg total THC. ID is required at every visit. Cannabis purchased in NY must be consumed in NY where legal — federal law prohibits crossing state lines with cannabis. Consumption in retail dispensaries is prohibited; take it home or to another private location.
- Min age
- 21 years (photo ID required)
- Daily flower limit
- 3 oz per adult
- Daily concentrate limit
- 24 g per adult
- Edible THC cap
- 100 mg per package
- On-site consumption
- Prohibited
- Cross-state transport
- Federally prohibited
Buying cannabis at Union Chill
Tell a budtender two things — your experience level and what you want to feel — and they’ll narrow the menu to three or four good options in about five minutes. We carry over 15 NY-licensed cultivators rotating across 200+ SKUs. Every product comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on request.