We get this question at the counter a lot, so here is the straight answer: Quality Control Dispensary is an adult-use retailer, and we can't give medical advice or make claims about cannabis and pain or any other health condition. What we can do is explain the cannabinoids and product types customers ask about, so you can read a label with confidence and ask better questions. If you are dealing with pain or any health condition, talk to your doctor first. New York also runs a separate medical cannabis program, and a doctor or a registered medical dispensary is the right place for medical questions. Everything below is general product education for adults 21 and over.
What Customers Ask Us About
Most questions we hear are about labels and product types. Here are the common ones, with the answers our budtenders can give.
- "What's the difference between THC and CBD?" THC is the cannabinoid that produces a high. CBD is not intoxicating. Both are listed on the label, usually as a percentage for flower and vapes or in milligrams for edibles and tinctures.
- "What is CBN, and why is it on this gummy?" CBN is a minor cannabinoid that forms as THC ages. Some brands add it to gummies and tinctures alongside THC, and the label lists how much is in each piece.
- "Do you have anything that won't get me high?" Yes. We carry CBD-forward products and topicals, and the label will tell you how much THC each one contains.
- "Can I use cannabis with my medication?" That is a question for your doctor or pharmacist, not a budtender. Cannabis can interact with some medications, and we are not qualified to say which ones.
- "Which strain is best for my condition?" We can't recommend a product for any medical condition. We can explain what is on a label and how different formats work, and a doctor can help with the health side.
Cannabinoids Explained: THC, CBD, CBN and CBG
Cannabinoids are the compounds in the cannabis plant that labels measure and lab tests report. Four show up on most of the packages you will see at QCD.
THC
THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis and the reason a product is regulated as adult-use. Flower and vape labels list THC as a percentage of weight. Edibles and tinctures list it in milligrams, both per serving and per package.
CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) is not intoxicating, so it does not produce a high on its own. Many products contain both THC and CBD, and labels often show the two side by side or as a ratio, such as 1:1 (equal amounts) or 20:1 (twenty parts CBD to one part THC). A product can be "CBD-forward" and still contain enough THC to be felt, so always check the THC line.
CBN
CBN (cannabinol) forms as THC breaks down over time with exposure to heat, light and air. It is generally described as mildly psychoactive, much less so than THC. You will mostly see CBN listed in milligrams on gummies and tinctures, usually blended with THC.
CBG
CBG (cannabigerol) is sometimes called the "parent" cannabinoid because the plant makes other cannabinoids from its acid form. It is considered non-intoxicating and appears in smaller amounts in most flower. Some brands feature it on gummies and tinctures.
| Cannabinoid | Psychoactive? | Where you see it on a label | Common product formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| THC | Yes | Percentage (flower, vapes, concentrates) or mg per serving and per package (edibles, tinctures) | Flower, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates, edibles, tinctures |
| CBD | No | Percentage or mg, often shown next to THC or as a ratio | Tinctures, edibles, topicals, CBD-forward flower |
| CBN | Mildly, much less than THC | mg per serving, usually alongside THC | Gummies, tinctures |
| CBG | No | mg per serving, or as a minor cannabinoid on the lab results | Gummies, tinctures, some flower |
Every product sold at a licensed New York dispensary has been tested by a state-licensed lab. If you want to see the full breakdown, including minor cannabinoids, our guide to reading lab test results walks through a certificate of analysis line by line. For a broader overview, see cannabinoids explained.
Terpenes on the Label
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its smell and flavor. Some flower and vape packages list the top terpenes, and the lab results often show the full profile. Here are the ones you will see most, with the aromas they are commonly associated with:
- Myrcene: earthy, musky and herbal, also found in hops and mango.
- Beta-caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, also found in black pepper and cloves.
- Limonene: bright citrus, also found in lemon and orange peel.
- Linalool: floral, also found in lavender.
- Pinene: fresh pine, also found in pine needles and rosemary.
- Humulene: woody and earthy, also found in hops.
Many customers use terpenes as a flavor guide: if you like citrus, look for limonene near the top of the list. Customers also describe strains with different words, such as "relaxing," "uplifting" or "a heavier body feel," and labels like indica, sativa and hybrid are a common shorthand for those descriptions. Experiences vary from person to person, so treat those words as a starting point for conversation, not a promise.
Product Formats
How you take cannabis changes how quickly you feel it and how long it lasts. Here is how each format works.
Flower, pre-rolls and vapes
Inhaled products are felt within minutes, and the effects typically last 1 to 3 hours. That quick onset makes it easier to go slowly, since you can wait a few minutes and decide if you want more. Flower and pre-rolls are smoked; vape cartridges and disposables heat an oil instead of burning plant material. Remember that New York law limits where you can smoke or vape, and you should never drive after consuming.
Edibles
Gummies, chocolates and other edibles are digested, so they take longer. Onset is usually 30 to 90 minutes, and effects commonly last 4 to 8 hours. The most common mistake we hear about is taking a second piece because the first one "isn't working" yet. Our guides on how long edibles last and the edibles dosing chart go into the timeline in detail.
Tinctures
Tinctures are liquid extracts that come with a marked dropper, which makes it easy to measure a small, consistent serving. Some are held under the tongue before swallowing, and some are added to food or drinks. Once swallowed, a tincture behaves much like an edible, so give it time. The label lists milligrams of THC, CBD or other cannabinoids per milliliter or per dropper.
Topicals
Topicals are lotions, balms and similar products applied to the skin. Many are labeled as non-intoxicating, but formulas vary, so read the label and ask a budtender if you are unsure. Topicals are for external use only; keep them away from eyes and broken skin, and follow the package directions.
Start Low and Talk to a Doctor
If you are new to cannabis, or new to a format, start with a small amount and give it time. For edibles and tinctures, many first-time customers begin with 2.5 to 5mg of THC and wait at least two hours before considering more. For inhaled products, take one small puff and wait 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol, which can make effects stronger and less predictable.
A few other basics:
- Do not drive or operate machinery after consuming, and plan your ride home before you start.
- Consume in a private, legal setting, not in public spaces or in a car.
- Store products in their original child-resistant packaging, out of reach of children and pets.
If you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using cannabis, since it can interact with some drugs. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a heart condition or other health concern, talk to your doctor first. For questions about cannabis and a medical condition, New York's medical cannabis program and your doctor are the right route. Our budtenders are happy to explain products, but they are not medical professionals.
Shop at QCD
Both QCD stores carry tinctures, edibles, topicals and CBD-forward options, and our budtenders can walk you through any label. Browse edibles in Brooklyn or edibles on Staten Island, tinctures in Brooklyn or on Staten Island, and topicals in Brooklyn or on Staten Island. Stock changes often, so check the menu or ask a budtender what is available today.
Visit our Brooklyn store at 3169 Coney Island Ave, where prices include tax, or our Staten Island store on Victory Blvd, where prices are shown before tax. You can also order for same-day delivery. Bring a valid government ID showing you are 21 or older.