Flower lists THC as a percent. Edibles list it in milligrams.

A standard serving is 10 mg of THC. The package must also show the total mg in the whole package.

Total THC equals THCA times 0.877 plus THC. That is the standard formula.

Look for harvest and manufacture dates, test dates, batch numbers, and the grower or processor name with their license number. Batch numbers matter for recalls.

Terpenes on the label tell you about character and aroma.

Red flags: no lab test date, no batch number, or potency claims that look fake.

Raw flower must be heated to activate its THC. That process is called decarboxylation.

Inhalation: onset in 7 to 10 minutes, lasts 1 to 3 hours.

Sublingual tincture: held under the tongue, onset in 10 to 30 minutes, lasts 1 to 3 hours.

Edibles: onset in 1 to 4 hours, lasts 4 to 12 hours.

Topicals: onset in 30 minutes to 1 hour, lasts 1 to 3 hours.

Concentrates are more potent than flower. Start small.

The enemies are light, air, heat, and wrong humidity. THC breaks down faster at room temperature.

Store flower in an airtight opaque jar, in a cool dark place, at 59 to 63 percent humidity.

Keep concentrates sealed and cold. Keep edibles in their original packaging.