Best Weed? – 6 Key Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Weed

Best Weed? – 6 Key Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Weed

Allie Adams

What does the best quality weed look like and what does “good weed” mean? For starters think of choosing the best weed the same as choosing the best wine. There are many different factors to consider and an endless number of brands to choose from.

Best-Weed
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So how do you know what’s fire and what’s schwag? Are certain brands better than others? Does cannabis strain matter? What about THC percentage? And terpenes… What are those?!

There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the best weed, such as THC and cannabinoid levels, terpene profile, genetics, growth method, appearance and any noteworthy cannabis cup awards. Let’s dive into these six most important attributes and how they can help you choose the best weed.

1. THC Percentage

For most people, best weed quality translates to highest potency. The quickest way is simply via the THC percentages printed on the side of the packaging. Typically a higher THC percentage means a more potent and longer lasting high. This is a “common sense” attribute, because it is so easy to look on the side of a package and read a number. However, there are a few things to consider along with THC percentage.

THC Percentage
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2. Terpenes Profile

The plant’s terpenes profile (the list of the dominant and trace terpenes that make up a strain and provide its signature smell, taste and effects) is probably the most important influence on THC percentage. Why? The way terpenes interact with the cannabinoids is known as the “Entourage Effect” and has the greatest bearing on your overall experience and high. So, for example, if you’re smoking a strain high in Myrcene terpenes, you could potentially experience a slightly sweet smell and a relaxing high. It’s important to find out which terpenes work best for your individual needs and seek out strains with high levels of those terpenes.

Terpenese-Profile
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Terpene profiles are not listed on most packaging labels, however there are some strains that are known for their specific terpenes, which is why genetics matter so much when choosing quality cannabis.

3. Genetics

Cannabis genetics play possibly the most crucial role in the overall quality of the plant, because genetics influences everything from physical characteristics to terpene profile.

Genetic makeup is responsible for other traits such as resistance to pests, cannabinoid content (including THC percentage), growth patterns, yields, adaptability to environmental factors, and consistency (uniformity harvest after harvest), among others. These qualities help determine the overall caliber of flower available for you to buy in the dispensary.

cannabis-genetics
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There are a few legacy strains that have proven their veracity and high potency over and over again. These include OG Kush, Gorilla Glue, Chemdawg, Girl Scout Cookies, Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, Afghan, White Widow, and AK-47.

4. Appearance

Usually good looking and good smelling means good smoking too. This is another “common sense” attribute for choosing the best weed. Your eyes and nose can tell you right off the bat if a flower is good or bad. Here are some physical attributes to consider that can mean the weed will be potent:

Trichomes
cannabis-Trichomes
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When harvested at peak ripeness, trichomes should be cloudy white/milky. This is where the “frosty” look comes from and when the highest levels of THC occur. If the trichomes have turned amber-colored it means the THC has begun to degrade and lose potency.

Moisture Level

Buds shouldn’t be so dry they crumble into dust in your hand, but they also shouldn’t be so wet you can’t run them through a grinder. You want enough moisture to retain those delicious terpenes which can dissipate when buds are too dry.

Smell

“Good” weed can have a variety of smells ranging from fruity to piney to acrid to skunky. This is based on the terpene profile of the specific strain and although vastly different, any of these aromas could be considered desirable. What isn’t desirable is the distinct hay-like smell that occurs when the flower is improperly cured and dried.

Taste

This depends largely on the consumption method, but even with combustion you should be able to taste the flower’s unique terpenes, whether fruity or skunky. What you don’t want is the harsh, chemical-ey taste often present with flower that hasn’t been flushed properly, over-nuted, or is simply old and dried out.

Trim
Cannabis Trimming
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The trim job matters! Spider or sugar leaves–the small frond-like leaves that grow next to the buds–can affect the consumption experience. Because they contain mostly green matter, if those small leaves aren’t trimmed away they can add harshness and bitterness to your otherwise smooth smoke.

5. Cultivation Method

To get an idea about the quality of weed you’re about to buy, it’s important to know how the cannabis was grown. While there are many variations to growing good weed and each has their pros and cons, there are two major umbrellas under which all those variations can be grouped: indoor and outdoor.

Keep in mind, knowing your personal preferences and desired results is paramount to achieve the best consumption experience possible. For example, if taste is important to you then outdoor may be the best choice, as soil typically produces richer tasting terpenes. If THC percentage is what matters, hydroponically grown indoor might be your best bet.

Outdoor
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The original method of growing weed, outdoor-grown plants use the sun, soil and other naturally occurring elements. They are subject to pests, inclement weather, and environmental hazards such as wind-carried pesticides or dust, however flower quality can be controlled slightly via the addition of nutrients, higher quality soil, and tarps to protect from rain or wind. While some outdoor cannabis flower is meticulously cultivated, the majority is mass-grown and is considered of lower quality.

Indoor
Cannabis Indoor Farm
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Indoor-cultivated cannabis tends to be of higher quality than outdoor because of the controlled nature of the environment. However, it can be grown in a number of different mediums: soil, water (hydroponic and aeroponic), and non-soil organic mediums (coco coir and perlite)–all of which affect the overall end result and, therefore, quality. Precise control over humidity and temperature help to produce a superior, uniform flower that can be produced year-round.

6. Cannabis Cups

3Cannabis accolades are another indicator for choosing the best weed. If a strain or a grower has won a cannabis cup award, it is safe to say the flower will be not only the best quality, but also extremely potent. There are many cannabis judging competitions out there now, but the original one that started it all was the Emerald Cup in Northern California. The High Times Cannabis Cup is the most prolific competition circuit, hosting cups all over the world multiple times a year. Cannabis is judged in categories such as aroma, taste, visual appeal, strength/high, flush, presence of seeds, and medical benefit.

Cannabis-Cup
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In conclusion, finding the best weed can be overwhelming, but using the following key factors (THC %, terpenes profile, genetics, cultivation method and cannabis cup awards) can be used to choose the best weed.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ-icon (Resized)

THC/, Terpernese profile, Genetics, appearance, cultivation method.

The original one that started it all was the Emerald Cup in Northern California. The High Times Cannabis Cup is the most prolific competition circuit, hosting cups all over the world multiple times a year.

You can choose the best weed based on its trichomes, moisture level, taste, smell and trim.

Outdoor:
If taste is important to you then outdoor may be the best choice, as soil typically produces richer tasting terpenes.

Indoor
– If THC percentage is what matters, hydroponically grown indoor might be your best bet.
– Indoor-cultivated cannabis tends to be of higher quality than outdoor because of the controlled nature of the environment.

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