How to Identify Low Quality Cannabis
Ever been to the dispensary and wanted to be able to tell what strain of weed to avoid? At some point in just about everyone's life, we've had the opportunity to look at and smell bud and think, "I have no idea what I'm looking for." Well, if this sounds like you, or if you'd like to learn about what to avoid when buying cannabis, you're in the right place.
We're here to save you save money, avoid disappointment, and protect your lungs.
What is "Low Quality" Weed?
Low quality cannabis (aka schwag, brick weed, or mids) has issues like:
- Poor storage or old
- Unhealthy growing conditions
- High stem content
- Seeds present
- Fewer trichomes
- Weak terpenes
- Contaminants (chemicals, pesticides, even mold)
Ideally, our cannabis will be grown in a caring environment without being saturated with chemicals or mistreated along the way.
How to Identify Low Quality Cannabis
Look for the following so that you can leaf that weak weed behind.
1. What does the flower look like?
High-quality cannabis is vibrant and occasionally has purple or orange undertones. It is also "frosty," meaning you can visually see the miniscule, white trichomes. If the bud looks flat, brown, dusty, or has dark patches, stems, or seeds visible, reconsider choosing that strain.
2. How does the weed smell?
A key factor in determining the best cannabis is how it smells. Weed has terpenes in it, which are aromatic compounds that give off a scent and play a prominent role in determining the experience you have. If the cannabis smells dull, musky, like hay, grass or chemicals, stay away.
On the other hand, the scent will give you an idea of the experience the cannabis will give. A sharp, citrus scent will generally give a higher energy compared to an earthy scent.
Ask your budtender if you can smell the flower before buying it. Pay close attention to the scent and the feelings the scent elicits.
3. Feel and Texture
The cannabis should feel slightly sticky, which comes from the trichomes, and it should break apart. If it disintegrates into powder or snaps like wood, it's too dry. If it feels soft and soggy, it may not be cured well and could potentially have mold.
4. Effects and Smoke Quality
When you smoke the flower, it should taste pleasant and hit smoothly. If it feels particularly harsh, produces strange flavors, or feels unhealthy, it's generally low quality. Smoking it should be a pleasant experience, given that you aren't pushing your lungs to the limit.
Where Does Low Quality Cannabis Come From?
Cannabis use has blossomed in the past couple decades. With states legalizing, there has been a massive influx of cannabis flower into the market. With so much supply to the dispensaries, they often decide to pay less for the same amount of cannabis, even if it is lower quality. This decreases the incentives for growers to be meticulous with their grow process, which costs more money and takes more effort.
How to Avoid Bad Cannabis
- Ask to see and smell the flower
- Avoid flower that is brown or full of stems and seeds
- Try buying in smaller quantities to test a strain before buying a lot
- Trust your gut
When it comes down to it, the human spirit is generally pretty skilled at telling when something is high quality or not. So, trust your intuition. If the cannabis looks, smells, or feels low quality, it probably is. There is plenty of great cannabis out there - now, you can start to discern what will be best for you. You will only get better the more strains you observe and try.
