You will get the same amount of smoke either way...when you grind it you can fit more in there and it burns longer. Grinding makes stronger hits and doesn't burn as long if you have the same amount but like I said you can fit more in when you grind. Just buds you get weaker hits but it burns longer. The best most efficient way is oral consumption....that's too much for me sometimes though. I'm done for the day if I eat it.