The Smart Shopper’s Guide to Buying Marijuana Flower at a Dispensary

Although numerous ways of consuming marijuana have been introduced in recent years, nothing can beat the fresh experience of smoking marijuana flower.

Recent data from Headset Analytics shows that marijuana flower is still the number one product in the US legal cannabis market. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as flower is the least processed form of marijuana out there, making it more affordable and accessible, especially for novices or purists. But even seasoned cannabis enthusiasts can find plenty of reasons to love bud; With such a wide variety of strains to choose from these days, you can customize your high in just about any way or flavor you want.

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Even if you have an interest in other cannabis consumer goods and edibles, the experience of smoking flower will always be special on its own. That being said, here are the things to look out for when buying marijuana flower from a dispensary:

Effects: Each cannabis dispensary stocks dozens or even hundreds of different strains of cannabis. Each strain has its own set of effects, which can usually be categorized into a few: uplifting, sedative, or a bit of both, depending on how much you smoke. Let the budtender know the effect you want to create. A sedating strain is best when you need a little help getting to bed, while an energizing strain is ideal for daytime use.

You should also carefully research the medicinal effects of cannabis strains, especially if you are prone to anxiety and paranoia, which is common with high-THC strains. In addition, cannabis strains are also known for specific physical effects, which can include headaches and hunger, among others.

Power: Understanding the potency of THC or CBD in the flower you are purchasing is an important factor. You can’t tell how potent a flower is just by looking at it, but cannabis sold in legal dispensaries will show its potency on the packaging or in the glass jar. In general, anything above 20–25% THC is considered very strong and has potent psychoactive properties, while THC novices are advised to start with strains below 18% THC.

On the other hand, there are consumers who are interested in purchasing high-CBD buds. CBD strains are ideal for those struggling with anxiety and paranoia, or who simply want a relaxing time without the racing mental effects associated with energizing THC strains.

For a more balanced effect, you can also look at the THC:CBD ratios. Some strains have higher levels of CBD to counteract the THC, resulting in a deliciously balanced high.

size: Bigger buds usually mean better quality, but that’s not always the case. Different cannabis strains produce buds of different shapes and sizes. For example, indica plants tend to produce smaller but denser buds, and sativas tend to be fluffier and less dense.

Small flower buds are generally considered inferior, although the same harvest can produce both small and large buds. Some growers filter out the smaller nuggets to be used in pre-rolls, while the larger nuggets fetch more money when sold as cannabis flower. Some pharmacies and brands may sell smaller nuggets at a reduced price, so keep an eye out for these deals if you’re looking for a bargain.

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colour: Using your senses will also help you find quality flowers – which often come at a higher price as well. Color is a good place to start: Premium flowers should be various shades of green, and sometimes have hints of purple, orange, or yellow in their hair. Even if the color isn’t indicative of good weed, you should avoid bud that has faded or has irregular saturated colors, as this can indicate it hasn’t been stored properly. It could also be that strains are naturally light colored like the famous Acapulco Gold which has really light colored buds. Knowledge is half the battle!

Also, stay away from buds that are brownish or yellow in color as these are considered inferior and tend to be cheaper. However, if you want to buy weed in bulk for later decarboxylation or turning into edibles, then buying lower quality bud is perfectly acceptable. You don’t waste premium weed by decabbing and turning it into edibles.

Odor: Your nose can tell you so much about cannabis flowers. They all smell so different and it will be an olfactory journey like no other. Some strains smell spicy, musky, or like gasoline (but that doesn’t mean it’s something bad!), while others smell like an orchard or flower garden, have a strong pineapple or citrus smell, or even smell like flowers thanks to their aromatic compounds.

Popularity: It never hurts to ask your budtender which strains have been flying off the shelves lately. You can share useful insider knowledge of the good stuff that’s popular in your area, perhaps because certain growers can achieve excellent yields with a particular strain. If there is a popular strain, you can always try it to see if you like it. You never know: you might find your new favorite by being open-minded!

Price: Last but not least, the price must also be taken into account. There’s weed at the low and high end of the spectrum, but for many consumers, mid-range bud is where quality and price meet perfectly. Good weed doesn’t always have to cost that much. Sometimes cheaper buds can also induce an excellent high. Bottom shelf cannabis still works well for those on a tight budget.

Conclusion

There are many factors to consider when purchasing marijuana flower. Use these tips the next time you head to a dispensary to experiment with weed at home.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.