Flower, waxes, and edibles, oh my! With the legalization of marijuana, many different strains and types of cannabis have become available to the public. Everyone’s looking for something unique, something different. Some people want to blast off while others just take a little edge off. Is higher % THC better? Here’s what we say...

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical responsible for the psychological effects of marijuana. THC acts like the cannabinoid chemicals that your body creates.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug. THC is the component responsible for its effect.

THC attaches itself to the body’s cannabinoid receptors. These are the parts of the brain associated with such perceptions as thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time.

THC Concentrations

THC concentration is measured in weight compared to the product. THC concentration depends on several factors. Exposure to air degrades THC. Its concentration also is affected by the cultivation of the marijuana plant, the soil, and the plants.

The hemp plant has a minimal amount of THC. It is used for industrial and medical purposes—not for recreational use. Hemp THC could be only 0.5 percent. 

Some cannabis strains can have as little as 0.3 percent THC by weight. Other strains may have as high as 20 percent THC by the weight in a sample. Some unusual varieties have tested over 30 percent THC!

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average % THC concentration in marijuana is between one and five percent. THC in recreational marijuana is widely variable.

How Has % THC Increased?

A new study by Alice Walton sheds light on changes in THC concentration.

Part of this increased THC concentration is the result of a shift in the production of cannabis plant material away from marijuana to sinsemilla. Sinsemilla is the female cannabis plant that has not been pollinated. Sinsemilla plants are grown from cuttings or seed. 

The History of % THC Rise

Marijuana plants have been around for the past several hundred years. They were first grown in Asia in 500 BC for medicinal purposes. The THC percentage wasn’t even a consideration in those days. However, some ancient cultures knew about the psychoactive properties of cannabis. They grew these specific varieties because of their higher levels of THC. These were used in both religious ceremonies and healing rituals.

The cultivation of marijuana in America dates back to the early colonists. They grew hemp for ropes, sails, and clothing. Early hemp plants had low levels of THC. The psychotropic properties of the plant were not a consideration in the cultivation of hemp.

By the early 1900s, scientists discovered that THC was what gave cannabis its medicinal properties. Researchers learned that THC interacted with areas of the brain to lessen nausea and promote appetite.

Between 1960 and 1980, marijuana’s THC content was less than 2%. There were no clear governmental guidelines or regulations over the cannabis industry. So, producers took a page from the tobacco and alcohol industries. Through improved production and plant generation, they developed strains of marijuana with a significantly higher concentration of THC.

As American Mary notes there has been a concerted effort to increase the THC percentage. Since the early 1980s, the average THC content has shown an increase from a modest two percent to between ten and twelve percent. Some even tested as high as twenty to thirty percent THC by weight! 

Is Higher % THC Better?

Is a higher concentration of THC in marijuana better? Some would argue that the more potent the product the better value for your expenditure. Others disagree.

Pros

Those who use marijuana with a higher concentration of THC are convinced that they get a greater rush with a smaller amount of products. They also argue that they need less to get the desired effect. Hence, they think they get better value for their cannabis dollar.

Cons

But, the writers of American Mary disagree. Their point is that it doesn’t take much THC to get most people feeling high. So why seek marijuana with astronomical amounts of THC? It’s like bringing a cannon to a duel. 

Others contend that THC isn’t the only consideration. When you purchase wine, you look for one whose taste you like. You don’t shop for the one with the highest alcohol content. Writer Mike Pizzo suggests that is how marijuana purchasers should choose the product they want.

Researcher Dr. Elizabeth Stuyt points out the dangers of high potency marijuana. Her study indicates that the psychoactive component of marijuana with higher concentrations of THC causes higher levels of addiction. The higher potency of any drug raises the possibility of addiction. It also increases return buyer frequency and his purchasing amounts.

Why Some Prefer a Lesser % THC

Substance contends that not all buyers make high THC a priority. For some, looking only at high THC overlooks other important factors. Searching for high THC fails to take into consideration other traits that enhance the experience.

Further, the writer contends that higher THC concentration does not translate to the most potent experience. He cites smoking Jamaican marijuana with a concentration of only 12% as being his ultimate euphoria. The THC content alone cannot explain the experience.

Other factors are worth considering! Writers of American Mary encourage buyers to try different strains of cannabis with a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. In doing so, buyers will discover the flavor profiles and experiences they will enjoy the most.

 Just like with fine Scotch, choosing the best product for you is a matter of trial and error. There are over four hundred and thirty compounds in a cannabis plant. The way in which these components interact will result in a wide range of reactions from the user. Add to that the wide range of user traits and the number of expected reactions is mind-boggling.

So how do you choose? Like with any other product, consider THC as only one of the many factors in your favorite cannabis. 

It’s not just the THC content that’s important. Rather, it is how the THC combines with other characteristics of the whole plant.

So, is higher % THC better?

The answer is not necessarily.

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When it comes to consuming cannabis there are many routes one can choose from. There is the tried and true tradition of rolling up a joint, or maybe even cracking a “Backwoods” or “Swisher” down the middle and loading that bad boy up with some tasty, ground flower. Or maybe you’d like to try some of those “fire extracts” your buddy has been raving about. Brownies, cookies, Rice Crispy treats; sometimes it seems like more choices than someone may want to make when all you really want is to unwind after a long day and smoke some jazz cabbage. Well, fear not, friends! We here at Cannasaver are here to sift through scientific reporting and many, many smoke sessions to bring you a guide to THC potency and give you our recommendations on what we’ve been puffing on. Here’s our take on the most potent forms of THC for you big doobie dawgs out there.

The Testing

If you’ve ever been to a dispensary, I’m sure you’ve seen those percentage numbers on every different strain at the counter.  

What those numbers mean is that the entire crop of whichever strain you are looking at had to be tested by a Colorado Marijuana approved lab before it is able to be sold at a recreational store.  

• The first things a lab always tests for are residual pesticides, heavy metals, or other contaminants that may have been left behind during the buds growing period.  

This is fantastic for us as cannabis consumers because we know coming from a reputable source that it is clean, green weed!  

• The second thing a lab will test for is the potency of the cannabis, extract, or edible that the grower wants to sell. 

In most cases, flowers will typically range from 15% THC to as high as 35% in some strains. 

That’s some chronic weed, man.  

Wax, shatter, distillate, and rosin can range from the mid-70s to mid-90s in the percentage of THC.  

Blast off, baby!! These are your most potent forms of THC. 

Edibles are measured a bit differently in the sense that it’s not a percentage of THC per edible, it is milligrams of THC per serving.

The Flower

Just like you and I, every cannabis plant has its own set of genetics that gives it the physical characteristics and potency that it possesses.  

Some strains come in with much higher and potent THC levels than others. 

Here are some of our favorites:

Here's a deal for one of our favorite strains, Cherry Lime Haze -  $59.99 oz of Cherry Lime Haze 20% THC

This strain is a hybrid blend of Sativa and Indica.  

While it’s not one of the most potent forms of THC, it’s a great choice for a midday smoke break because it only has 20% THC levels.  

It gives a great heady high and tastes great!  

This is a great strain for encouraging creativity and relaxing the body. 

One of our favorite stores, Herbs4you, always stocks a great mix of sativas and indicas at great prices.  

Here, you can talk to a trained "bud-ologist" about the different strains they have for sale.

The Extracts

When it comes to weed and its potency, some have taken the method of getting a “high score” to a new level.  

There are several different ways to consume weed extracts whether it be through shatter, wax, dabs, rosin, distillate, or cartridges.  

All of these products tend to have a much higher level of THC than the flower your grandad used to puff on.  

Wax or shatter is usually made through a hydrocarbon method of extraction giving it a very pure and clean taste.  The rosin is made through a pressure and heat extraction giving it a very terpene-filled earthy taste, and the distillate and cartridges people smoke are a very convenient and tasty way to puff on the go.

Our friends over at The Stone Dispensary have you covered on your wax and shatter needs. 

Right now they have a deal on grams of extract so you can sample a few different flavors and pick your favorite.  

We recommend their ever-potent Wedding Cake.  

As for distillate, one of our favorite, most potent deals is from La Bodega.

They are offering two carts right now for $30.  Cartridges are one of the most potent forms of THC. They’re a great way to smoke high percentage THC on the go.  

They smell great, are discreet, and get you super ripped.

Edibles

The edibles available today have come a long way since making a double boiler out of a mixing bowl and pot in your friend's kitchen to make some dank cannabutter.  There was always the one batch of cookies that came out way stronger than anyone expected and got everyone catatonically stoned for the night.  There are some great bakers out there who specialize in getting you baked. 

Edible dosage is measured in milligrams per serving instead of THC percentage.  In general, edibles will keep you high longer but creep up slower than taking a bong rip or smoking a joint.  Your body is able to uptake the THC and cannabinoids through the digestive system giving a great body high along with the head high. 

Check out our friends over at AMCH Denver for a smoking mix and match deal. 

They allow you to pick 4 different edibles for $60!  It's a great way to eat and get the munchies at the same time.  The more you eat, the hungrier you get. 

Gummies are a great way to dose out THC in manageable amounts if you need to be productive.  We love to mix CBD with THC in one tasty treat.  Check out Stone Dispensary for some dank deals on some dank gummies.  These aren't quite the same as the old Flintstones gummies we had as kids but they do pack 50 mg of vitamin THC (not actually a vitamin, don’t come at us). 

Thanks for reading our guide to the most potent forms of THC and have fun testing them out for yourselves. 

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