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"The Gift" of Picking Good Marijuana

Updated: Apr 17, 2021

by Natascha Pearson

February 2, 2021



Good bud can be found on all levels of the shelf. It might be easy to expect that the most expensive, highest THC content, the top-shelf bud will blow your socks off but in reality, what really makes bud delicious? Quality bud can be found in the Little’s smalls selection, if you know what you’re looking for you won’t be disappointed. So, what makes cannabis fire? Here are a few details to look for when making a decision that meets your stoner needs.

Sativa or Indica? You might have heard that Indica is more of a heavy high while Sativa is more for the daily stoner, but which is right for you? Even though it’s safe to assume that Indica will put you to sleep at night, it is also known to trigger anxieties and can have an opposite effect on some people where a Sativa will still get you stoned without the side effects. Indica leaning variations are great for the deep thinker and the patient avoiding pain. While, sativa strains are good for patients that struggle with stress and anxiety. This various for the individual since some smokers find that Indica reduces stress and anxiety as well. Sativa is better smoked during the day while Indica at night. One is not better than the other, but each meets an individual’s needs.


It’s all about the smell, if it doesn’t smell like the fruit in the name, diesel, or another distinguished smell it might have been cured wrong, grown in bad conditions, sitting on the shelf for too long, or it doesn’t have strong genetics. If it smells like it just got plucked off the field and still obtains that fresh grass smell, then it probably hasn’t cured all the way and will not provide the same high as the bud that smells like it will fill up the room with its stench.

If the smell is right check out the color. Any brown spotting or brown hair shows that the cannabis could possibly be old or even worse mold. Don’t be afraid if the bud is purple, that’s a good sign you have a strong Indica. A dark green bud could be a sign of a bud grown outdoor, which can still provide a great smoke. Light buds could be a green crack or a wedding cake, still worth checking into.


Another physical feature to look for is the bud hairs also known as the pistils. High-quality buds may contain a lot of pistils meaning that the bud was grown with proper nutrients and lightening. These pistils hold onto THC and account for a stronger smoke. Pistils can be white, orange, red, and even brown. Any brown on the bud, even with pistils, is not a great sign but bud covered in white pistils like the White Widow or the orange hairs on Granddaddy Purple are good signs that you found a worthwhile bud.


The THC potency is worth looking at. Anything over 18% mg is considered a high potency bud while anything below 11% mg is low potency while everything in between is midrange. Gorilla glue is usually a good high potency bud worth checking out while the Cotton Candy Kush has a lower potency (approx. 13%) and is good for relaxation with friends or while in public. If you want a high potency bud, then take a look at that first but make sure it follows the guidelines with the suggestions above because if the bud wasn’t cured right or if it’s covered in seeds you might find yourself with more of a headache than what it’s worth. The potency isn’t everything.


While we went over some buds that might stand out there is some truth that comes in the name. Keep an eye out for strands that you have heard before. If the strand has stuck around there is a good chance, it’s because they come from a strong seed line and it is safe to assume that it has similar qualities that live up to its family name. This can be false when there is a craze circulating around the bud. When Blueberry won the cannabis cup or when a movie came out about Pineapple Express these buds flooded the market sometimes being mislabeled to increase sales and therefore missing the blueberry smell or that it wasn’t even grown in the same soil as pineapples.


What does it mean when a bud is cured right? After the branches of a plant are cut down, they are hung to dry for about two weeks to get the moisture out of the plant and help crystalize the THC. If you smoke fresh weed, it will hold onto the moisture making it harder to smoke and not as potent as if it had been cured. It is possible to hang the plant for too long causing browning and dry leaves. When the plant shows brown tints that is a good indication you should look at the next bud that catches your eye on the shelf.


Last, of all, it’s never a bad idea to look up the brand. In a world where reviews are at our fingertips, it might be worth your time to check out who is sourcing your bud and what their reputation is like. There are some companies that are making a difference in their and communities and within the world and there are companies that get shut down consistently for not following regulations. Researching company’s and noting the ones that stand out will make each trip to the dispensary smoother.


Now that you have “the gift” tell me what you picked up from the dispensary by commenting below.

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