The dried flowering tops of Cannabis sativa L.
Cannabis flower (sometimes called "bud" or "weed") is the dried, cured female flowering tops of the cannabis plant. The active compounds — cannabinoids and terpenes — concentrate in the resin glands (trichomes) on the bud surface. Heat triggers decarboxylation: THCA becomes THC, and the session begins.
What happens when you light it.
Raw cannabis flower contains cannabinoids in their acidic precursor forms: THCA, CBDA, CBGA. These don’t produce intoxication on their own. When you apply heat — combustion, vaporization, baking — the carboxyl group breaks off (decarboxylation) and THCA becomes delta-9 THC, the active intoxicating cannabinoid.
Terpenes are the other half of the equation. They’re the aromatic compounds (myrcene, limonene, linalool, pinene, beta-caryophyllene) that give each strain its smell — and shape how the session actually feels.
Two strains with identical THC % can feel completely different. Terpenes are why.
How we narrow 50 strains to 3.
Tell a budtender these five things and the menu collapses fast.
| Axis | Question | What it filters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Effect | What do you want to feel? | Sleep, social, focus, calm, body relaxation |
| 2. Potency | What's your tolerance? | Beginner 15-20%, regular 20-24%, experienced 24%+ |
| 3. Strain type | Indica, sativa, hybrid? | Genetics + dominant terpene |
| 4. Format | Whole-bud or pre-ground? | Rolling-your-own vs ready-to-use |
| 5. Quantity | How much? | Eighth (sample) vs ounce (long-term value) |
NY craft flower lineage.
Strains rotate weekly. We typically stock balanced hybrids in the 18-22% THC range (good for first-time + casual consumers), high-potency hybrids at 24-28% (experienced consumers), and a smaller selection of CBD-rich balanced strains (1:1 or 2:1 ratios for low-intoxication sessions).
Cultivator partners include the Ayrloom catalog plus small-batch growers across the Finger Lakes and Catskills regions. All brands →
Keep flower fresh 6–12 months.
Cannabis flower is shelf-stable for 6-12 months when stored properly. The four enemies are heat, light, oxygen, and humidity extremes. Store in an airtight, opaque container in a cool dark cabinet. Add a 62% RH Boveda or Integra humidity pack to extend freshness to 12+ months.
- Shelf life
- 6–12 months airtight
- With humidity pack
- 12+ months
- Target humidity
- 62% RH
- Avoid
- heat · sunlight · open jars