Edibles vs. Smoking vs. Vaping: What’s the Best Way to Consume Cannabis?

Understanding Your Options

Cannabis has come a long way from the days of rolled joints and smoke-filled rooms. In today’s world, consumers can choose from a wide variety of consumption methods — including edibles, flower, and vapes — each offering unique experiences and effects.

Whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned enthusiast, it’s essential to understand the differences between smoking vs. edibles vs. vaping so you can make informed decisions about what best suits your lifestyle, tolerance, and desired effects.

At Mighty Lucky, a licensed cannabis dispensary located on Bowery in Lower Manhattan, NYC, we’re passionate about helping customers find their ideal consumption method. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each approach.

Edibles: Long-Lasting and Smoke-Free

Edibles are cannabis-infused food and beverages such as gummies, chocolates, or baked treats. They’re one of the most popular options in NYC for those who prefer a smoke-free experience.

When you consume an edible, THC is absorbed through the digestive system and metabolized by the liver into a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC — which produces more intense, longer-lasting effects than inhalation.

Pros of Edibles

• Discreet and convenient: No smell, smoke, or setup required.
• Long-lasting effects: Perfect for sustained relief or evening relaxation.
• Precise dosing: Most products clearly label THC and CBD levels.

Cons of Edibles

• Delayed onset: Effects can take 30–90 minutes to appear.
• Difficult to dose for beginners: Easy to consume too much if you’re not patient.

Pro tip: Start low and go slow. Begin with 5–10mg of THC, wait at least two hours before increasing your dose.

Looking to try edibles in NYC? Check out Mighty Lucky’s curated selection of gummies, chocolates, and THC-infused treats →
👉 Shop Edibles

Smoking: The Classic Cannabis Experience

For those who love the ritual and instant feedback, smoking flower remains the classic way to enjoy cannabis. It delivers cannabinoids directly to your lungs, providing almost immediate effects.

Whether rolled into a joint, packed into a bowl, or enjoyed through a dry herb vaporizer, smoking allows you to appreciate the full aroma, flavor, and complexity of different strains.

Pros of Smoking

• Instant onset: Feel effects within seconds to minutes.
• Easy to control dose: Stop when you reach your desired feeling.
• Rich sensory experience: Terpenes and flavors are most noticeable when smoking flower.

Cons of Smoking

• Combustion: Smoke can irritate lungs and throat.
• Shorter duration: Effects fade after 1–3 hours.

At Mighty Lucky, our premium flower is carefully curated from trusted New York cultivators, ensuring every bud is lab-tested and potent →
👉 Shop Flower 

Vaping: Clean, Fast, and Discreet

If you want the immediacy of smoking without the harshness, vaping might be your perfect match. Cannabis vaporizers heat oils or dry flower just below combustion temperature, releasing cannabinoids and terpenes in a smooth, flavorful vapor.

Pros of Vaping

• Discreet and odor-light: Ideal for urban living and travel.
• Fast onset: Effects felt in minutes.
• Cleaner experience: Avoids the harmful byproducts of smoke.

Cons of Vaping

• Device maintenance: Cartridges or batteries may need replacing.
• Quality matters: Always buy lab-tested, licensed products.

Vaping is becoming the go-to method for professionals and NYC residents who value efficiency and control. Explore our collection of premium vape pens and cartridges for cannabis vaping in NYC →
👉 Shop Vapes

Edibles vs. Smoking vs. Vaping: How They Compare

Edibles

• Onset Time: 30–90 minutes
• Duration: 4–12 hours
• Discretion: Very high — perfect for low-profile use
• Potency: High, but varies depending on the product
• Control: Harder to dose — effects build up slowly
• Health Impact: No smoke or vapor; gentle on the lungs

Smoking

• Onset Time: Within seconds — effects are almost immediate
• Duration: 1–3 hours
• Discretion: Low — noticeable smell and visible smoke
• Potency: Moderate
• Control: Easy to control dosage due to quick onset
• Health Impact: Involves combustion and smoke inhalation

Vaping

• Onset Time: Seconds — fast-acting like smoking
• Duration: 1–3 hours
• Discretion: High — minimal odor and vapor
• Potency: Moderate to high depending on concentrate strength
• Control: Easy to dose; precise and consistent experience
• Health Impact: No combustion, lower risk compared to smoking

Safety & Dosage Tips

• Check for lab testing: Always choose licensed dispensaries like Mighty Lucky for verified, pesticide-free products.
• Start small: Especially with edibles — it’s better to underestimate your tolerance.
• Stay hydrated: Cannabis can cause dry mouth, so keep water nearby.
• Be patient: Edibles take longer to kick in; don’t redose too quickly.
• Avoid illicit cartridges: Only purchase from reputable NYC dispensaries to ensure safety.

Choosing the Right Method for You

So — which is better: edibles, smoking, or vaping?

It all depends on your goals:

• If you need fast relief or enjoy the ritual of cannabis, smoking might be ideal.
• If you want a smooth, low-odor, and portable experience, go with vaping.
• For discreet, long-lasting effects, edibles are unbeatable.

At Mighty Lucky, we carry everything from microdose edibles to potent pre-rolls and high-quality vape cartridges — all tested, safe, and locally compliant.

👉 Explore All Products

Where to Find Mighty Lucky in NYC

Located on Bowery in Lower Manhattan, Mighty Lucky is a short walk from SoHo, the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and the East Village.

Our friendly, knowledgeable budtenders are here to guide you through our menu and help you choose the perfect product for your needs.

Visit us in-store or order online for same-day Manhattan weed delivery.

• Get Directions
• Open daily with extended evening hours
• Licensed NYC cannabis dispensary