Smoking weed delivers the fastest onset (2 to 5 minutes) and the easiest real-time dose control. Vaping offers similar speed with far less smell and a more portable format. Edibles take 30 to 90 minutes to kick in but last 4 to 8 hours — by far the longest of any method. Most NYC weed buyers eventually use all three depending on the situation, and The Flowery’s catalog carries the full range across flower, vapes, and edibles. Pick your method based on speed needs, discretion requirements, and intended session length.
The Three Methods at a Glance
| Method | Onset Time | Duration | Discretion | Equipment Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | 2 to 5 min | 1.5 to 3 hr | Low (smell) | Grinder, rolling papers, or pipe |
| Vaping | 2 to 5 min | 1.5 to 3 hr | High (almost odorless) | Vape pen or cartridge battery |
| Edibles | 30 to 90 min | 4 to 8 hr | High (no smell, no smoke) | None |
These are the foundational differences. Every other decision flows from them.
Smoking — The Original Method
Smoking weed means combusting dried cannabis flower and inhaling the smoke. Forms include:
- Joints — rolled in paper, typically 0.5g to 1g of flower
- Pre-rolls — pre-made joints sold at dispensaries
- Blunts — rolled in tobacco leaf wrappers (less common at licensed dispensaries)
- Pipes — small hand-held pipes for smoking flower
- Bongs — water pipes that cool and filter smoke
The advantages of smoking:
- Fast onset. Effects start in 2 to 5 minutes. You know quickly whether you took the right amount.
- Easy dose control. Take one inhale, wait, take another. You can stop at any point.
- Lowest cost per session. A $35 eighth (3.5g) of flower gives you 6 to 14 sessions depending on how much you smoke at a time.
- No equipment necessary for pre-rolls. Just light it and inhale.
The disadvantages:
- Smell. Smoking produces strong, lingering odor that stays on clothes and in rooms.
- Lung impact. Combustion produces tar and irritants. Long-term heavy smoking has measurable respiratory effects.
- Social visibility. Smoking is the most obvious form of consumption — people can see, smell, and identify it easily.
- No subtlety. You cannot smoke discreetly on most NYC streets without attracting attention.
Vaping — The Modern Alternative
Vaping heats cannabis oil (or sometimes flower) to a temperature that vaporizes the active compounds without combusting the plant matter. Forms include:
- Vape cartridges — pre-filled oil cartridges that attach to a battery
- Disposable vape pens — all-in-one battery + cartridge
- Dry herb vaporizers — desktop or portable devices that vaporize flower without burning it
- Concentrate vapes — specialized for live resin, rosin, or other concentrates
The advantages of vaping:
- Almost no smell. Vapor dissipates within seconds and has a much weaker odor than smoke.
- Same fast onset as smoking. Effects in 2 to 5 minutes.
- Highly portable. A vape pen fits in a pocket.
- Discretion. Some vapes look nearly identical to nicotine devices.
- Cleaner inhale. Vapor is less harsh on the lungs than smoke (though long-term vape health research is still emerging).
The disadvantages:
- Higher equipment cost. A vape battery is $20 to $40. Cartridges are $40 to $65 each.
- Battery dependency. Vapes need charging. Empty battery = no consumption.
- Cartridge quality variance. Unlicensed cartridges can contain cutting agents. Always buy from a licensed dispensary.
- Per-mg cost can be higher than flower for casual users.
Edibles — The Long Game
Edibles are weed-infused foods or drinks that are digested rather than inhaled. The active compounds enter through the digestive system, which changes the timing and intensity profile significantly.
Forms include:
- Gummies — the most popular edible format
- Chocolates — slower onset, often longer duration
- Drinks — fastest-onset edibles (15 to 30 minutes for nano-emulsified beverages)
- Tinctures — technically edibles when swallowed, though sublingual use is faster
- Baked goods — less common at licensed dispensaries
The advantages of edibles:
- Long duration. Effects last 4 to 8 hours, far longer than inhaled methods.
- No smoke or smell. Completely discreet.
- No equipment. Just eat the gummy.
- Predictable dose units. Each piece is a known mg amount.
- Pleasant flavor. Most edibles taste good (modern brands have largely eliminated the “weed taste” issue).
The disadvantages:
- Slow onset. 30 to 90 minutes is a long time to wait before knowing what you took.
- Easy to overdo. The slow onset leads people to take more before the first dose hits, then both doses peak together.
- Cannot adjust mid-session. Once you have eaten the edible, you have committed to the dose.
- Cost per dose varies. Edibles are not the cheapest per session, especially for high-tolerance users.
Onset and Duration Timing — Why It Matters
Different methods produce dramatically different timing curves:
Smoking/vaping:
- 2 to 5 minutes — first effects
- 15 to 30 minutes — peak intensity
- 1.5 to 3 hours — full taper
Edibles:
- 30 to 90 minutes — first effects
- 2 to 3 hours — peak intensity
- 4 to 8 hours — full taper
Tinctures (sublingual):
- 15 to 45 minutes — first effects
- 60 to 90 minutes — peak intensity
- 3 to 5 hours — full taper
The peak-intensity gap matters. A smoking session peaks in 30 minutes and you can have dinner an hour later feeling close to normal. An edible session peaks at 2 hours and you are still feeling significant effects 4 hours after eating it.
Which Method for Which Situation
| Situation | Best Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quick after-work unwind | Vape or pre-roll | Fast onset, easy dose control |
| Movie night (3 hours) | Vape or edible | Both fit the duration |
| Sleep aid | Edible (CBN-forward) | Long duration covers the full night |
| Discreet at a public event | Vape | No smell, looks like a nicotine pen |
| Outdoor activity (hike, walk) | Pre-roll | Fast, easy, no equipment to lose |
| Social gathering | Pre-rolls or vapes | Sharable, fast-onset |
| Daytime productivity | Microdose tincture | Subtle, predictable |
| Chronic pain management | Edible or tincture | Long-lasting relief |
For most NYC buyers, the answer is “all three for different times.” Building a small kit — a few pre-rolls, a vape pen, and an edible pack — gives you options.
Key Takeaway: Smoking and vaping deliver fast onset and easy dose control. Edibles last longer but require patience. Vaping is the most discreet inhalation method. For most NYC buyers, all three have a place — pick based on speed needs, discretion, and how long the session should last.
Health Considerations
Each method has different health implications:
Smoking: Has the most established research showing respiratory effects. Long-term heavy smokers (multiple times per day for years) show measurable lung function changes. Occasional smoking shows minimal long-term effects in available research.
Vaping: Less established research than smoking. Available studies suggest fewer respiratory effects than combustion, but vape cartridge quality varies — counterfeit or unlicensed cartridges have been associated with lung injuries.
Edibles: No respiratory impact since nothing is inhaled. The main health considerations are dose-related — easier to over-consume since the slow onset hides how much you took.
For health-conscious buyers, the order of “lowest respiratory impact” is generally: edibles > tinctures > vaping (licensed only) > smoking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method is strongest?
Per-dose, concentrates (used in dabbing or specialty vapes) are strongest. Per-session, edibles produce the longest and often most intense overall experience because of the duration and the way THC is metabolized in the liver.
Which method is healthiest?
Edibles avoid respiratory impact entirely. Among inhaled methods, vaping (with licensed, tested cartridges) shows less measurable lung impact than smoking in available research.
Can I switch between methods in one session?
Yes, but be cautious. The effects stack, and timing is hard to predict when mixing. Start with one method, see how it goes, then assess.
What is the cheapest method per session?
Smoking flower is typically the cheapest. A $35 eighth gives 6 to 14 sessions. Vape cartridges and edibles cost more per dose.
Which method works fastest?
Inhalation (smoking or vaping) is fastest at 2 to 5 minutes. Tinctures held under the tongue come second at 15 to 45 minutes. Edibles are the slowest at 30 to 90 minutes.
Are vapes safer than smoking?
Available research suggests yes, with the caveat that vape cartridge quality matters. Licensed dispensary vapes are tested and verified. Unlicensed vapes have been associated with significant health risks.
Can I use edibles for medical purposes?
Many people do. Edibles’ long duration makes them useful for managing chronic pain, sleep disorders, and certain anxiety conditions. New York’s medical cannabis program is a separate licensing track for medical use, though recreational dispensaries serve many medical-style needs.
What is the best method for first-time buyers?
Either edibles (5mg dose, easy to control) or pre-rolls (0.5g, take 3-4 puffs and stop). Both let you control your first experience. Avoid concentrates for your first time.