Getting quality cannabis may not be something you really think about. If you buy it at a reputable place, it’s good quality, right? Well, not necessarily. Cannabis quality doesn’t have the same type of regulation as some other products on the market, so you might not be getting everything you expect.
If you want clean CBD or THC products, you have to do a little research first. The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to figure out what you’re getting, and whether it’s the quality and value you expect. Here are the things to consider.
Cannabis Quality Is Partially About Perception
The quality of cannabis is important, but it’s partially about your perception of what quality means. Some people are looking for a particular potency or strength for their cannabis, while others are more concerned about the level of chemical contamination that could be in their marijuana products.
Because of that, there’s no specific way to clearly define drug quality. For example, in addition to contamination and potency issues, your perception of quality may be influenced by the effect the cannabis produces. If that effect is predictable and reliable, good quality may be assumed.
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing specific to look for when it comes to quality. A lot of people are interested in what feels like quality to them. If that’s a concern for you, you’ll want to take a careful look at the products you’re buying so you can get the cannabis quality you’re looking for, every time.
Environmental Control Matters for Hemp Quality
Most hemp and cannabis growers are careful to maintain an environment that’s safe and clean. But not all growers are as careful as they should be, and there are still some risks to consider.
Some growers feel pressure to get a crop ready to go so they can start the next one. They might also want their product to be seen as more potent than others, so they use synthetic options that raise the potency. Be weary of processors that may add food-grade terpenes or artificially increase the values of their products’ THC levels.
Quality and Cost Aren’t Always Equal
The quality of cannabis is usually related to its price. But there are times when that’s not the case.
Instead, some of the lower-priced options can also be high quality. It depends on the grower, where the cannabis is bought, the overall hemp quality, and much more. Knowledge is power when buying cannabis.
Clean THC may look the same as some that’s not as clean to the untrained eye. But when you know what to look for and understand that cost is usually tied to its quality, you can find what you’re looking for.
Looking and Smelling May Help With Assessment
A visual and olfactory examination of the cannabis (how it looks and smells) can help, but it doesn’t always tell you whether the cannabis quality is better or not. There are many people who say they can tell the potency from looking at the leaves or they’re able to determine quality based on smell.
Realistically, though, that’s not actually the case. Cannabis quality isn’t specifically tied to either one of those things. Clean CBD may not look or smell any different from some that’s impure, so taking a look or a sniff isn’t going to be a reliable quality indicator — at least, not in most cases.
Still, truly bad hemp quality may be noticeable. If there’s mold, bacteria, or other problems with the flower, it’s important to make sure you spot those things. The same is true for any cannabis that has a distinctly bad smell.
A lab analysis is the best way to find the quality of the cannabis, but even that level of analysis isn’t always completely accurate.
Curing and Harvesting Conditions Matter
The way cannabis is cured and harvested will affect the quality of it, as well. Good hemp quality means it will have a higher concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. These are all valuable reasons to choose the best quality possible, and a lot of that quality comes from harvesting and curing the cannabis correctly.
When companies are mindful of how they cure their cannabis and when they harvest it, they reduce the issues that can come from poor or questionable quality. That’s worth considering when you’re looking for cannabis and want to find the best options for the right price.
You can get good quality cannabis from nearly any authorized or reputable seller, but you may have better results for consistent quality when you know right where to look.
FAQ 1: Does the Cost of Cannabis Equal Quality?
Technically, no. The cost of cannabis isn’t always equal to its quality. But most higher-priced buds are better quality. That equals more value for the buyer.
FAQ 2: How Does Curing and Harvesting Affect Quality?
Harvesting too soon or not curing properly results in a lower-quality product. With proper techniques and care, it’s much easier to create a higher-quality cannabis product with bigger benefits.