How to Pick the Best Cannabis

As cannabis legalization continues to sweep across the country, more and more people are discovering all of the positive effects marijuana can have on their physical and emotional well being. With cannabis technology improving at such a rapid pace and so many new products being created and released, how to choose cannabis from a dispensary’s menu can be confusing at best and totally overwhelming at worst.  

Whether shopping for recreational cannabis or medical marijuana, in person or online, we are here to answer some of the big questions you may have, such as:

• What is the most potent weed? 
• Which is better, shakes vs nugs? 
• Hand trimmed vs machine trimmed? 

Ready to learn more? Let’s get to it.

What Makes Potent Marijuana?

At the end of the day, the cannabis plant is just that: a plant. Just like with produce or fresh flowers, different growers in different environments using different methods can result in very different end results. Just like no two Honeycrisp apples are exactly the same, neither are two buds. But just like picking out the best fruit or vegetables, there are certain characteristics that set top-notch flower apart from all the rest. 

When most people talk about potent weed, they are referring to the cannabis’ THC content. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that produces a “high” feeling. A strain or product’s THC percentage refers to the amount of THC cannabis contained by its dry weight, and therefore indicates the strength or potency of the product. 

In theory, consuming pot with a higher THC percentage will result in a stronger, more intense effect while using some with a lower THC percentage will result in a more gentle kind of high. Just for some perspective, the pot the hippies smoked at Woodstock had a THC content estimated at about 1-2 percent. In the 1980s, the THC potency in dried flower was about 3 percent. The average THC content today is 16 percent, with anything more than 20 percent considered to be high-potency marijuana.

While there is much debate about the accuracy of findings, the highest THC percentage ever recorded was in 2010, with Berlin producing strains declared to be 44 percent. But here’s the thing — studies show that once the cannabinoid receptors are saturated with THC, more doesn’t actually get you any higher. This means that while THC percentages should definitely be taken into consideration, they should be used as more of a guide than a map. In addition to the THC percentage listed for the product, there are sensory clues which can help you to determine the premium from the schwag. 

Potent Cannabis Visual Clues

Look at it! 

Cannabis is really a beautiful plant. While pot is synonymous with “green,” the hues of the flower buds can span the rainbow, with the deep green accentuated with everything from rich reds to royal purples to magnificent oranges. The more vibrant it appears, the better. The only color to avoid here is brown. Brown or pale blonde-colored buds are usually a sign of damage due to environmental factors, and it’s something to avoid when searching for potent marijuana. 

Another important visual component when wondering about what is the most potent weed is trichomes. Trichomes are the tiny, fine, almost hair-like appendages that cover the plant surface. They contain the compounds responsible for the smell, taste and effectiveness of the flower. The most concentrated amounts of cannabinoids live in the trichomes. The most potent weed will appear to be “frosted,” with buds looking like they have been dusted with crystals. The best highs will always come from the flower that is most visually appealing.

Potent Cannabis Smell Clues

Sniff it! 

Terpenes, which are basically aromatic oil compounds, exist in all plants and even some animals. While more than 20,000 different terpenes have been identified, only about 120 have been found within the cannabis plant. 

The most potent terpenes can produce scents and cannabis flavors that are earthy, woody, fruity, floral or even spicy. When considering how to choose cannabis of the highest quality and with the most potent terpenes, the stronger or “danker” the smell, the better. Quality flower is pungent, distinct and unmistakable. If you can still smell your pot while it is in the baggie or container, you have a winner on your hands. 

Lack of smell means lack of taste, which means lack of potency. Cannabis that has been cultivated and cured to the highest of standards should be pungent.

Potent Cannabis Tactile Clues

Touch it. 

When looking for cannabis flavors of the most potent variety, your buds should feel sticky and maybe even a bit spongy when you gently squeeze them between your fingers. You want stems that should be easy to break apart with a little snap, but are not too dry. Avoid the dry and crumbly as well as the moist and moldy and look for a good, dense consistency. While skillfully cultivated sativas may be a little more fluffy and indicas may be a little tighter, the feeling of premium quality buds is unmistakable and indicative of the most potent cannabis.

Hand Trimmed vs Machine Trimmed

Cannabis flower can be trimmed by a human or by a machine. Sometimes, this is indicated directly on the packaging but if not, it is usually not difficult to spot the difference. 

With hand trimming, professional trimmers take time with each individual bud to deliver their expertise to the product. These individuals know which parts of the plant to remove and which parts to keep intact, and groom each flower to its ideal form by taking into account the density, trichomes and overall structure. This level of care means that hand trimmed flower is likely to generate the more potent marijuana product. 

That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with machine trimmed cannabis. That method just means there is more room for error. While machines that trim weed are exceptional when it comes to mass-producing identical nugs, the problem is that they treat each bud as if it were the same, meaning that some of the more potent parts of the plant may be shaved off in the quest for uniformity. But whether your buds have been trimmed by hand or by machine, if you use all the other tips for distinguishing good weed from bad, you will do just fine.

Shake vs Nugs

Nugs are the buds of the dried cannabis flower whereas shake is the loose leftover matter after the plant has been trimmed. It’s almost like flower that has already been pre-ground. 

Shake is just as smokable as the fully intact nugs, and perhaps even more preferable for someone who does not have a grinder and/or prefers to consume cannabis in the form of a joint — but the potency of shake may be a little more of a toss-up, as the quality of shake is more dependent on what the strain is and to how well it was trimmed. Shake will always be less expensive, but those good quality nugs, regardless of how they were trimmed, will have a higher potency than any shake. 

With nugs, the flower will always be devoid of seeds and have as few stems as possible because the good stuff was prioritized and the useless was discarded. That’s not always the case with shake. When debating whether to smoke shake vs nugs, if potency is what you are going for, always choose the nugs!

For the Best High, Choose the Best Weed

Dispensaries exist for a reason. If you ever feel lost as to what to purchase for your particular needs, simply ask the budtender! The best budtenders are not only trained and highly educated but also have a deep desire to make their customers happy. Ask about cannabis flavors, potent marijuana and each product’s specific effects when you’re at a dispensary. 

Whether you are going it alone or working with a helpful dispensary employee, the goal is to end up with nugs that have the perfect level THC and are hand trimmed, dense and colorful, with dozens of sparkly trichomes and a delicious, earthy aroma for you to enjoy.

Learn More from the Pros

For more info on all things cannabis-related and to hang out with like-minded people, check out the CannaCon calendar for all the upcoming events. CannaCon is the nation’s leading B2B conference, with trade shows that feature exhibitors from all around the country and seminars delivered by industry experts. For a bucket list experience that you will never forget, get your CannaCon tickets today. 

This article was originally posted on July 25, 2022, and updated on October 14th, 2024.