Cannabis isn’t new anymore. The way people use it is.
What used to be just smoking or the occasional edible has turned into a full-on menu of options — drinks, tinctures, capsules, microdoses, topicals, the whole thing. And the shift right now? It’s not about getting “more high.”
It’s about getting it right.
Different pace. More people are approaching cannabis through a wellness lens — and cannabis wellness trends right now reflect that shift. More intention, more questions, and a lot more options.
Part of that shift is cultural. CBD went mainstream a few years back and cracked the door open. Suddenly cannabis wasn’t just for getting high, it was something people were weaving into everyday life. That curiosity didn’t stop at CBD.
Microdosing: Small amounts, big control
Microdosing is exactly what it sounds like, just a little cannabis instead of a full send.
Think 1–2.5mg of THC. Not enough to feel overwhelming effects. Just a lighter, more manageable experience for people who prefer subtlety over intensity.
People choose this approach for different reasons – staying within a lower-intensity experience, easing into cannabis, or simply avoiding the “too much” feeling that can happen with higher doses.
Start low. Go slow. That part is pretty much the golden rule. It’s also why microdosing has become one of the most common entry points for people looking to build cannabis into their routine.
Drinks: The social side of cannabis
This is the category that’s been quietly taking over fridges across California.
Cannabis drinks hit different because they don’t feel like cannabis at first. No smoke. No ritual. Just open, sip, and let it do its thing.
There’s also a broader shift happening here. Some people are reaching for a 5mg seltzer where they’d have grabbed a beer, not because anyone told them to, but because the option exists now and it fits the moment differently. The sober-curious crowd found cannabis drinks, and the category hasn’t looked back.
You’ll find everything from 2–5mg light seltzers for a mellow experience, to 10mg+ options for those who prefer something stronger, to blends that may include CBN or other cannabinoids.
Brands like Wynk, CANN, Keef, and St. Ides are leading that shift. Each has their own lane, from light social buzz to “okay I’m actually relaxing tonight” mode.
And yeah — dosage matters here. A lot.
Edibles and drinks don’t hit instantly. They take their time, then suddenly they don’t.
Pills & capsules: No taste, no guesswork
Not everyone wants gummies. Or smoke. Or anything that tastes like cannabis at all.
That’s where capsules come in.
Same idea as an edible, just cleaner, no smoke, nothing to figure out, and a straightforward way to keep dosing consistent.
Level and Select both do this well — no flavor, same dose every time.
Simple. Predictable. Easy to work into a routine, which is exactly why people who are serious about consistency reach for them.
Tinctures: Old school control, modern convenience
Tinctures are kind of underrated.
A few drops under the tongue and you’re done. Or mix it into a drink if that’s more your thing.
They’re popular for the control — quick, measured dosing without smoke, chewing, or waiting around. Think of them as the precision tool of cannabis that is not flashy, just effective when you use them right.
Microdosing cannabis offers a promising approach for those seeking to leverage the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids with minimized psychoactive effects.
As research evolves and the market responds with precision-dosed products, individuals have more opportunities to customize their cannabis use for health and wellness, improving their quality of life while maintaining daily functionality.
Topicals: Cannabis that stays put
This is the category people underestimate until they try it.
Topicals don’t get you high. That’s the point.
Creams, balms, oils stay on the surface and are used locally. No psychoactive effects, just localized, targeted use.
Brands like Papa & Barkley and Mary’s Medicinals built their reputation here for exactly that reason — simple, no-nonsense formats that stay in their lane.
It’s not just about what people are using, it’s how they’re choosing it. With more options on the table, people are actually paying closer attention to what fits their routine and their vibe.
The bigger picture
All of these formats point to the same cannabis wellness trend: people don’t just want cannabis anymore. They want options that fit their day.
Some days that’s a drink. Some days it’s a gummy. Some days it’s nothing at all. And honestly, that flexibility is the whole story now.
We’re a dispensary, not a clinic. So we’re not here to tell you what cannabis will do for you, but help you understand what’s in front of you so you can make your own call. Dose, tolerance, format — all of it matters more than the hype around any product or brand name. Start small. See how it lands. Adjust from there.
Cannabis isn’t getting simpler. It’s getting more dialed in. And once you understand what you’re looking at, it all starts to make a lot more sense.
Stop by VRC in Vallejo or browse the online shop if you want to see what’s in the lineup before you pull up. 🌿
