Cannabis Quality Determination

Today’s cannabis “renaissance” has created an opportunity for consumers to discover their own unique ways to identify high quality cannabis. In addition to discovering the best products based upon the strength and cost of those products, one can also determine whether or not a product is of high quality by determining whether the product is of high quality using multiple sensory inputs.

Quality cannabis will present itself through multiple sensory inputs – aroma, texture, structure, and effect. Each of these sensory inputs provide information to the consumer as to the quality of the cannabis product. This information is presented through a unique combination of terpenes, trichomes and other compounds found in the cannabis plant. Discover more information about cannabis strains in the Single Weed Seeds blog.

Quality Comparison Chart

Characteristic	High-Quality Cannabis	Low-Quality Cannabis
Aroma	Rich, layered, terpene-heavy	Flat, grassy, or musty
Appearance	Bright, resinous, well-trimmed	Dull, brownish, leafy
Texture	Soft yet resilient	Dry or spongy
Trichomes	Dense, crystal-clear coverage	Sparse or opaque
Smoke	Smooth, flavorful	Harsh, chemical, uneven burn

Aesthetics, Texture & Aromas – The Language of Quality

The quality of cannabis is reflected in its physical appearance, texture, and aromas. Each of these characteristics is directly related to the overall quality of the product and each plays an important role in defining that quality. When evaluating the quality of a cannabis product, consider the following:

1) Aroma (Terpene Profile):

The quality of the aroma of cannabis will vary depending on the strain, but when high quality cannabis is evaluated, it typically presents a complex aroma profile. These may include citrus, pine, diesel, spices and/or fruits. A product that has little to no scent or presents a grassy scent will likely be indicative of poorly cured cannabis.

2) Appearance:

High quality cannabis products will display a high concentration of crystalline trichomes on their surface. They will be dense, yet loose enough to allow for adequate airflow to facilitate the drying process, and will display a variety of colors including green, purple, red, blue and others.

3) Texture and Moisture:

When properly dried and cured, the texture of high quality cannabis will be slightly springy to the touch. It will be neither too brittle nor too moist. Too dry cannabis will crumble easily while too moist cannabis will develop mold.

4) Trichome Density:

Trichomes are the resin glands located throughout the surface of the cannabis plant that are responsible for the production of the THC and CBD as well as many of the terpenes that provide the various flavors and aromas associated with the plant. When viewed under magnification, the trichomes on high quality cannabis should resemble a cluster of small, transparent bubbles. Low quality cannabis products will have very few trichomes and they will resemble small, flat pieces of dust.

5) Effects:

Finally, the effects experienced from smoking high quality cannabis will typically be smooth, easy to inhale and burn evenly. The effects will be balanced and will not be extreme or overwhelming.

Advanced Tips for Experienced Consumers

While the above information provides a good basis for understanding what makes high quality cannabis, there are some additional tips that experienced consumers can use to further evaluate the quality of a product.

Check the origin of the product: Products grown in small batches and organically tend to produce higher levels of terpenes which contribute to the overall quality of the product.
Ask about the curing time: While this is somewhat subjective, most experienced consumers agree that at least two weeks is required to cure cannabis so that the chemical makeup of the product is balanced and the flavors mature.
Be aware of the potential for artificial shine: Products that receive excessive amounts of fertilizer and pesticide applications may exhibit a waxy film on the surface of the buds.
Consider the packaging: Products packaged in vacuum sealed bags or glass jars will help preserve the potency and prevent the loss of terpenes over time.

Ultimately, the cannabis plant is still alive even when harvested, and as such it continues to evolve through exposure to temperature, humidity and time.

Synesthesia of Cannabis Quality

Ultimately, the quality of cannabis is determined by the consumer’s ability to detect the sensory cues of the product. For example, when evaluating the quality of a product, the consumer should first notice the aroma. If the aroma is intriguing and complex, then the next step would be to smoke the product and note the texture of the smoke and the taste of the product. Finally, the consumer should evaluate the after-effect of the product. When all of these aspects are evaluated, the consumer should be able to detect if the product is of high quality. Ultimately, the quality of the product will be detected through the synesthetic experience of the consumer. That is, the consumer will perceive the product through all of his/her senses simultaneously (sight, smell and sensation). When this occurs, the consumer will have a greater appreciation for the product and the experience of consuming it will be enhanced.