First, let me say, as a cannabis lover, that I agree that total THC percentages are not the end-all be-all of evaluating cannabis quality.
I do however believe that generally speaking healthy cannabis plants produce healthy amounts of trichomes so while THC doesn’t necessarily dictate quality, quality will dictate whether or not you’ll get any frost monsters come harvest time.
There is no denying that solid THC numbers are often indicative of well-grown plants that are nourished and cared for in a way so that they grow to reach their maximum genetic potential.
Is there whole THC testing process wrought with fraud and inaccuracy? No doubt. Should we disregard THC percentages entirely as consumers? I don’t believe so.
THC content of flower is just one of many factors I take into account when I’m at the dispensary looking to restock my stash.
Other important factors to consider when dispensary shopping should include the cultivator that grew the plant, the cultivar’s genetic lineage, the appearance of the product, and ultimately, the smell, which may be the best evaluation metric.
When dispensaries DO share test results for various non-THC cannabinoids and terpene content is when things get really interesting, as this level of detail can help patients hone in on specific terpenes and cannabinoids for specific therapeutic goals.
Terpene content breakdown is still relatively uncommon however most farms today are at least offering THC and CBD contents, the latter of which I’ve been paying particularly close attention to these last few years.
More specifically, I have been on the hunt for more balanced strains where the THC-to-CBD ratio is either 2:1, 1:1, or 1:2.
This is because over the last couple of years I’ve consistently struck ganja gold with more balanced genetics.
From Deep Creek’s Huckleberry Web, to Alter Farm’s Pineapple Wine, to Focus North’s Guava CBD flavorbomb, to Alter Farms Pineapple Wine, to Ananda Farm’s Sour Hawaiian, the flavor and effects of these cannabinoid-packed beauties has been a sheer treat to behold.
What’s the Point of Smoking Low THC Flower ?
First I’d like you to ask yourself, why do you smoke/vape?
Is it to retreat deep into your own psyche to self-reflect. Do you prefer getting lifted at parties over alcohol? Do you just blaze social? Is cannabis provide you creative spark? Do you rip sativas to help with productivity? Do you smoke heavy sedative strains to help fall asleep?
There is no incorrect answer, which is what makes cannabis so cool as a plant. Whether for recreational or therapeutic goals, we all have our own personal motivations, unique as our own individual physiologies.
With a multitude of desired outcomes must come a multitude of engineered solutions and ratio’d cannabis strains are a beautiful example of what that looks like.
Personally I’ve found balanced strains to be the absolute goldilocks zone when it comes to pain/inflammation management as well as stress relief that while potent, doesn’t impart as much cognitive “fuzz” as the high-THC strains do.
With well-cultivated balanced strains I still get the bright smells and flavors I crave, but I also have a wider bandwidth of hours in which I can functionally consume and still navigate my life.
There is a common misconception that it’s either CBD or THC but there’s massive amounts of middle ground, bursting with flavor and dripping in terpenes, ready to not overpower you but to embrace you like a big warm hug.
With ratio’d strains it’s like you get all the preferable effects without any of the “blasting off to space” or geeking out, which I also like to do, but not ALL the time.
The Benefits of Cultivating For Effect
I am thankful to all the farms out there that are taking the time and grow floor space to cultivate high-CBD content flower, whether it be 1:1 balanced genetics or 2:1/1:2 type ratios.
This work is not for the hype. Since the CBD flower market is still small compared to big THC-testers, it also doesn’t appear to be cultivated for profit.
Instead these farmers are growing these robust cannabinoid rich plants to provide a uniquely deep experience without skimping on any of flavor.
The result is plant medicine that also tastes and smells good.
And it’s not just an amazing effect wrapped in a bland olfactory experience (like some poorly grown CBD flower can be like) but instead is a treat to the senses as well.
Beautiful flowers, amazing smell, salivating levels of fruity terpenes…all whilst delivering a heaping dose of beneficial cannabinoids often lacking in genetics cultivated purely for maximal THC testing.
Ripping a bowl of freshly ground balanced ratio bud out of a bong with a ball vape has to be the most sublime consumption experience I’ve had to date, after perhaps only the full-bodied intensity that edibles can provide.
It’s the well-rounded, gentle and therapeutic trifecta of effects that come with ratio’d stains that also makes them great options for new consumers.
If you’ve ever gotten too high in the past or greened out from super potent weed but are still canna-curious, then you owe it to yourself to try out some balanced strains should you get the chance.
Cannabis That Contains More Cannabinoids Is Better
If you haven’t tried high CBD-content flower, or you have only had bad CBD flower in the past, I highly encourage you to keep your heart and eyes open for some good stuff.
Finding good CBD flower can be hard, because we’re still in a THC-focused frenzy in most markets, so often times the meager CBD-flower offerings can leave a lot to be desired.
That said, after my first sampling of Guava CBD my eyes were opened and I became a believer in the benefits of high CBD strains, both for inflammation/pain but for taking the edge of, and which tasted good as well… the trifecta!
Since that first experience I have seen it pop up from different farms, each with their own unique approach when it comes to genetics (new school vs old school), flavor profiles, and cannabinoid contents.
Obtaining quality ratio’d flower is a bit like thrifting or vintage shopping. It requires patience and frequenting various businesses over time to score a grail ounce, but when you do it is SO worth it.
If you’re a farmer on the ratio fence I implore you, get on this trend, seriously. Eventually I will wake up the world to how awesome high-cannabinoid flower is and demand will explode as people realize they can have their flavor, medicine, and fun, all in one.
Don’t get it wrong, I still buy flower that has high THC percentages and low CBD percentages but that’s become more of a self-indulgence/evening time relax-mode go-to while my balanced ratio strains have become utilitarian daily drivers, when I can find them.
When it comes to balanced strains, like an amazingly prepared meal using local and organic ingredients, they satisfy from the surface level all the way down to the soul. And THAT is what cannabis should be about.
What about you? Do you have quality balanced flower options in your market? Do you have a favorite cultivar? How do you compare intentionally ratio’d strains to high THC testers?
Let us all know in the comments below and blaze on!
