Knowing how to buy weed at a dispensary without focusing solely on the THC percentage can be a tough one. But, THC percentage is just one tiny piece of the big picture of what constitutes a potent strain. If a high THC percentage doesn’t necessarily denote high-quality flower, then what do you look for when buying weed at a dispensary?
While the quality and potency of Washington weed continue to improve, there really is no set industry standard for the quality of cannabis. Lab tests provide the dispensary and the consumers with information on the cannabinoid and terpene profiles, in addition to ensuring there are no contaminants in the product, but they are void of anything that tells us about its quality.
The two things most people tend to focus on when buying weed at a dispensary are the name of the strain and the THC percentage. Without a deeper cannabis education, they tend to have little else to go on. They just know how the flower is branded, how the budtenders present it, and possibly how others have reviewed it. Without other information, many cannabis consumers just look at the THC percentage as being the most important aspect from which all other purchasing decisions are determined.
Surprise: THC Percentage Does Not Denote Quality
As you can imagine, we stoners want the most for our money when it comes to weed shopping. Searching for a strain that’s packed full of THC but is a bit hard on the wallet is worth it to most tokers with the assumption that the staggering THC percentage means the flower will pack a powerful punch that will go a long way.
However, the erroneous thinking that the THC percentage is the main factor in potency and effects greatly hinders the ability to gain a deeper understanding of cannabis and how it affects you on an individual level.
Because weed affects everyone differently.
THC percentage is just one facet of the search for a high-quality, knock-your-socks-off strain and, unfortunately, the names don’t give us anything about its effects, potency, or quality. THC percentage is just one part of the entire cannabis smoking experience.
When heading out to buy weed at a dispensary in Washington, the three biggest factors to keep in mind are: Appearance, aroma, and packaging date.
Look: Flower’s Visual Appearance
What does the weed look like and how do you feel about it?
You know that moment you meet someone and feel an instant connection? This kismet is the type of experience you should be having when you’re buying weed at a dispensary. If something stands out to you and strikes you with its vibrancy, listen to your gut instincts and try it out. Your brain and your body are sending you a message your logical mind may not be able to wrap around. If you’re not dying to get home and pack a bowl of it, keep browsing.
What is the trim job on the flower like?
Trimming is when the sugar leaves that sprout between the flowers are removed. High-quality nugs usually don’t have any sugar leaves left on them. While the sugar leaves are not harmful to smoke, they do affect the flavor and the smoothness of the smoke.
If the nugs look absolutely flawless or are oddly shaped, they may have been trimmed by machine or simply overly trimmed. Over-handling of the nugs adversely affects the trichomes, damaging them and decreasing the nugs’ potency and provided effects.
What should ripe trichomes look like?
Trichomes are the tiny, bulbous protrusions on the cannabis plant that hold the cannabinoids and terpenes, which are what provide the flower with its potency and effects. As the trichomes mature, they transition from clear to milky, and then finally into amber. Clear trichomes are premature, milky trichomes are mature and ready to harvest, and amber trichomes are overripe.
High-quality weed will have densely packed, abundant milky trichomes. To find the most potent flower, look for trichome heads that are fully intact and at milky maturity.
How old does the flower look?
Look for the signs of aged flower. As the cannabis buds age and start to dry out, the flowers lose their vibrant colors and the wispy hairs, known as stigmas, start to wilt and fall off. If the flower looks tan, brown, or a muddy green, then you’re probably looking at old weed. This will not provide the potent experience you’re looking for.
Determine: Flower’s Aroma
How potent is the bud’s aroma?
There are thousands of different possible terpene combinations within just one given strain. These combinations provide the strain with its smell, flavors, and some of its effects. When determining the aroma of a flower, go with what makes you feel most elevated.
What did you feel when you smelled that bud? What thoughts popped into your head when you read the strain description?
Aroma pungency is an important thing to keep in mind when looking to buy weed at a dispensary. One that is so subtle you can barely smell it will offer an entirely different effect than one that bops you on the head. You are looking for flower with a heady aroma that corresponds to the terpene concentration.
When you’re unable to smell the flower, take a look at the Certificate of Analysis (COA) and the dispensary menu’s strain description. Read the blog post about that product, if there is one available on the dispensary’s website.
The majority of lab tests include a terpene profile that allows you to see what the dominant terpenes are in a given cultivar, in addition to the concentration of those terpenes. Most weed samples being tested have roughly 1.5-2% terpene concentration by volume. If you come across flower on the shelves with a terpene concentration greater than 2.0%, there is a high likelihood that the strain will produce a stronger entourage effect, providing you with a more intense smoke sesh.
Check: Flower’s Packaging Date
When was the flower packaged?
Cannabis doesn’t technically expire, but it doesn’t age very well. Cannabinoids turn into different compounds as time goes on, and the terpenes evaporate up into the environment. The longer the weed is in the jar, the longer they have to degrade and for the bud to lose its potency – regardless of how flawlessly packaged it was.
If a six-month-old jar of weed tests at 31% THC, the amount of time it has sat on the dispensary shelf has dropped that concentration down and given the terpenes time to evaporate into the air within the jar. Bud packaged less than a month ago that tests at 25% THC is more likely to provide a stronger high than the six-month-old jar of 31% THC flower.
Talk: Get Advice From Your Budtender
Talk with your budtender and find out which flower has just arrived on the shelves. If you go for the freshest cultivars without focusing on the name of the strain or its THC percentage, you are far more likely to go home with a strain you love.
Most cannabis brands include the harvest date and packaging date on the label, which provides some insight into the age of the flower. If the harvest date is not there, look for a QR code on the label. Some brands will provide a QR code that links to the product’s lab tests and harvest dates.
Looking for some high-quality weed in Tacoma, Washington? Come on in to the World of Weed, and check out our Daily Deals to save big on your next smoke.
Disclaimer: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of Marijuana. Marijuana, in any form, should not be used by individuals that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Marijuana is intended for use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product may be unlawful outside of Washington State.
