In a world where marijuana is swiftly becoming an intricate part of our lifestyles, it is crucial to learn the knacks of how to sort the best from everything out there. Although the cannabis market is currently experiencing strict regulatory practices for quality assurance, the chances of coming across a low-quality bud are still prevalent and quite dominant as well.
Unregulated buds in the market are still a large problem, and the best way to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience from this herb is to know how to distinguish a good weed from bad.
So, what exactly do we mean by good and bad weed? Well, from freshness, potency to organic linage, several factors indicate whether or not the weed is suitable for consumption. So here we present to you a simple guide to help you navigate the world of marijuana and always choose the best.
The Characteristics
When you have the buds in hand, you can use your senses to buy best quality marijuana buds easily.
The Smell
An expert starts with smell even before color because even a beginner can take notice of the natural pungent aroma of cannabis that is strong and earthy. Based on the strain, the buds may also give out hints of citrus or floral in the case of Sativa and chocolate, coffee, or fruits in the case of Indica. If your weed smells like grass, it is definitely of low quality.
The Looks
To start with, cannabis strains come in a spectrum of colors ranging from hints of red to bright hues of purple. But the color hints are quite visible when you view the trichomes or thin hair structures on the surface. If you see brown or dark orange color here, it might indicate low quality. Also, the white color caused by rich trichomes on the surface is an indication of potency. But, if the herb itself looks dull or pale in color, you have some really bad buds with you.
Another important aspect to evaluate while viewing your buds is the aesthetics. A good trim job on the buds that eliminates the stems and big leaves is a hint of good weed. And why so? Well, although a good trim does not directly influence the quality of the weed much, it requires continuous efforts from the grower. A good trim job could thus be an indication that the grower would not cut corners during cultivation that could ensure a hefty and healthy harvest.
The Feel
The way the bud feels on your fingers can indicate a lot about its freshness and quality. Typically strains with thick trichomes tend to feel sticky, which is an indication of its potency. But too sticky is, in fact, troublesome. Often bad curing and drying techniques leave the cannabis damp. You can feel this when you touch the buds. It is quite different from the natural stickiness in weed. It is best not to consume such buds as they give a bad experience. But remember, too dry is also a problem, especially if the buds turn to dust when you rub with your fingers. It indicates the buds have started degrading. You can also use sharpstone weed grinders to make a uniform mixture for consumption.
The bud density is a critical aspect to assess when you pick it up. Sativa strains are predominantly light and fluffy to hold and not very densely structured, whereas Indica is a dense variety with thick, packed buds. You can use this to determine if or not the weed you have is good. Also, the orange, tiny hair you see on the surface needs to be evenly distributed across the surface of the buds. Uneven distribution is an evident indication of low quality.
The Taste
Although cannabis hits different people differently, you can instantly detect when something is off with your stuff. Any hint of grass or hay-like taste is a clear indication that the weed is bad.
Buying Good Marijuana
The Right Shelf
When you walk into a dispensary, the placement of the different buds typically has intense relevance to its quality. Starting from the top, we spot the high-quality stuff generally carrying a rich cannabinoid ratio and grown with utmost care. These buds are naturally quite pricey but are a worthy investment due to their premium quality.
Next comes the mid-shelf buds that can be a good choice if you are a novice and still barely have any tolerance to cannabis. The mid-shelf is also a slightly economical option. The bottom shelf is usually the cheapest of the lot and sometimes even carries just leftover clipping and buds that fell off from other jars. While a beginner may not know the difference, experienced users will instantly reduce its quality.
The Right Sourcing
The ethical cultivation history of buds is an essential factor that reflects on how good your weed is. Clean and green practices such as synthetic fertilizer-free farming promise better benefits and safer applications and pave the way for a sustainable path into the future. You can try and understand the source of your buds to explore the many practices followed by the growers in this region.
Good weed also comes from companies that work with diverse terpene and cannabinoid profiles and carry a Certificate of Analysis for their products. This is a crucial aspect of weed to ensure it is the best choice for you.
Conclusion
Identifying good weed can be a challenging task. Yet, it is a critical measure for every cannabis user to ensure the safety and efficacy of use. Utilize these aspects mentioned to assess and evaluate your weed before use.
