As cannabis is increasingly being bought and sold commercially, consumers will start to experience different strains, potencies and quality. Overall, having more options may benefit consumers, but it may also lead to more uneducated purchases. Even if you are a new buyer or consumer of cannabis, you can avoid making these common mistakes and experience the fullest quality of experience, value, and safety possible from your cannabis flower.
Judging Only by THC Percentage
Consumers tend to seek strains with the highest THC levels believing ‘more is better’. While THC is the main psychoactive component in cannabis, it is not the full makeup of the plant. If you are solely focused on THC you may be missing the synergistic role of varying cannabinoids and terpenoids. A strain with less THC, but high levels of myrcene, limonene, or pinene will provide a better experience than a high THC strain with no terpenoids. Always ask for the complete cannabinoid and terpenoid profile.
While indica, sativa, or hybrid are important, it is the profile of terpenoids and minor cannabinoids that matter. For example, limonene can be mood elevating while linalool can be relaxing.
Not Smelling the Flower (When Allowed)
The smell of the flower tells you a lot about the quality and expected effects of the strain. Still, many consumers fail to smell the flower. This is especially common where the flower is pre-packaged or while shopping online.
If the flower smells grassy or like hay, it probably was poorly cured, and ultimately will lead to a harsh smoke and muted effects. A moldy or ammonia-like smell should be an immediate red flag for contamination. Furthermore, no smell at all could indicate that the flower is either too old or that it has degraded due to improper storage.
Always opt for a smell that is vibrant and pungent, earthy, citrusy, fruity or skunky. These smell profiles typically indicate a rich terpene profile. When shopping at online dispensaries like JARS Cannabis New Buffalo, reach out to the vendor to see if they provide terpene data. Check out customer reviews that mention the aroma and do not be afraid to ask questions.
Ignoring the Look
When judging the quality of cannabis flowers, visual observation is essential. Packaging and marketing can be fancy, but the flower needs to meet visual expectations to be worth your hard-earned money.
Brown, poor trims, or too many stems can indicate poor-quality flowers. A dry, almost powdered bud could indicate this is an older flower or has been jarred up. On the other hand, wet buds might suggest mold or mildew. You want to find dense, resinous buds that are enveloped in trichomes. Healthy flowers are generally green. However, depending on the strain, it can be orange, purple, or even pink.
Not Asking Where and How It Was Grown
The majority of consumers are not always conscious of the source of their cannabis. They can purchase flowers produced with toxic pesticides and without compliance to acceptable quality and production practices.
Cannabis is a bioaccumulator which means it absorbs compounds in the soil and surrounding area. Flowers can absorb pesticides, heavy metals, or synthetic fertilizers which can present health risks, especially for medical patients.
Ask your provider if their cannabis is organically grown or if it is tested for contaminants. Generally, if cannabis is grown indoors it will not be compromised. If you are careful about sustainability, look for outdoor or greenhouse grown cannabis. A reputable cannabis dispensary should be able to detail their cultivation practices for you and have third party lab testing. They should be able to answer all your questions about it.
Buying in Bulk Without Testing First
Purchasing cannabis in bulk can seem economical, especially considering dispensaries often have lower pricing on bulk purchases. However, purchasing bulk cannabis without testing a strain first could lead to a negative experience. Different options can make you feel anxious, sleepy, or paranoid. Always buy in small amounts and take note of how the strain affects you. Does it make you feel relaxed, energized, or more focused?
Not Following Storage Suggestions
Some consumers buy great flowers and forget to store them properly. This makes it lose the intense flavors, potency, and general quality. Exposure to air, light and moisture is bad for cannabinoids and terpenes. Storing cannabis in plastic bags, humid, or light places exhausts the flower. Failure to follow storage suggestions could cause the flower quality to depreciate half.
Use glass airtight containers, such as mason jars, and store in a cool dark area, ideally (60–70°F). Add a humidity control pack such as Boveda or Integra Boost, to keep your flower as fresh as possible. Never store cannabis in a freezer as it damages trichomes.
Not Considering What You Want to Achieve
At times consumers pick a strain for its popularity or great name without ever thinking through to their end goal. Do you wish to relax, relieve stress, or fall asleep? Different goals call for different strains. A strain that is meant to assist one person to fall asleep may cause another one to be anxious, or a third to feel upbeat. It all depends on your chemistry and tolerance.
Always identify your goal prior to making a purchase. Do you want to relax after work? Resolve your insomnia or be more social at an event? Discuss your goal with an educated budtender or do your own research. Strains with a higher CBD and low THC may help with anxiety and non-sedating indicas will probably work better for someone looking to fall asleep quicker or better.
Endnote
Purchasing cannabis flowers is more than choosing the most attractive bud or the highest THC number on the shelf. You need to also know how cultivation methods, aroma, appearance, and chemical profiles affect your experience. Avoiding these common blunders will help you make good purchases. You can enjoy excellent value, safety, and enjoyment potential. Whether you are looking for therapeutic relief or recreational elevation, follow these tips to get a better high every time.
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