What Makes Weed So Sticky? And is it a good thing?

Have you ever wondered why your weed is so sticky? With cannabis, many things can affect the overall experience. Some people prefer their weed to be really “sticky” as this signals that the cannabis flower is of high quality.

So why is some cannabis sticky-yucky while other strains are dry and crumbly? This article will examine the science behind the stickiness of weed and teach you everything you need to know about sticky cannabis.

Why is weed sticky?

The secret lies in the trichomes, a subject the stickiest of buds know all about. Trichomes, also known as weed crystals, are small hair-like growths on a plant. Marijuana plants are full of it. But they can do much more than just look good. Trichomes contain resin, which is what gives cannabis its potency.

Often referred to as “essential oil,” cannabis resin is a sticky, thick substance that can be translucent, red, or orange in color. Many plants and trees produce resin. However, cannabis resin contains cannabinoids, which makes it unique.

Photo by Christina Hempfling/EyeEm/Getty Images

As it turns out, trichomes on weed are resin glands. The sticky bud clearly shows that a lot of trichomes have formed on the bud. As trichomes increase, so does resin production. Higher resin content means more terpenes, THC, and cannabinoids. A resinous weed with crystals can have better medicinal potential, a stronger high, and a better smell and taste than when it’s low in resin (or non-sticky).

As you start buying more expensive cannabis flowers, you may find that the buds are getting stickier. This is because some of these plants were bred to contain lots of trichomes, so they are highly potent.

RELATED: Why is Weed Giving You the Munchies?

Sticky marijuana resin is often compared to tree sap. You can imagine how similar the two are if you’ve ever felt juice in your hand. Just like with cannabis, you can attribute the smell of sap to terpenes – the compounds in tree sap.

If you’ve heard of hash before, hash is simply cannabis resin. Hash is a concentrate made by compressing the resinous parts of the cannabis plant. (Want to learn how to make hash at home?) Also, some people refer to the remains of weed residue as sap, which may be related to the word residue. In this article, the term “resin” is limited to natural substances produced by plants.

Interestingly, the Pinkman Goo strain is considered one of the most resinous strains. The buds of this indica strain, a cross between Granddaddy Purple, Grape Ape and Northern Lights #5, are densely covered in resin. According to laboratory tests, samples with the “Goo Glob” contain 4% more THC than samples without Goo. This is evidence that there is a significant amount of THC in the resin. The resin contributes to the sweet flavor of the strain. Many people report that Pinkman Goo has a very relaxing effect.

Sticky grass vs. dry grass

It’s no secret why sticky weed is prized by cannabis connoisseurs: it’s often stronger and tastier. However, are dry buds less desirable because they aren’t sticky? It turns out that both have their advantages.

Dry grass gets a bad rap. However, it is often more affordable and still effective, which is why many people prefer dry weed for this reason. While the cannabinoids and terpenes aren’t as plentiful as in sticky weed, there are still plenty available.

Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

Some weed is simply dry because it contains less resin and fewer trichomes. As a result, the product is less effective. It may be that the plants have been left drying for a long time and have lost potency as a result, or the strain may not contain as many trichomes as stickier strains.

Really dry weed, however, indicates that cannabis is past its prime. You can still use it, but it will retain much of its flavor and some of its potency. The older the plant gets, the drier it becomes. Still, it should remain sticky when stored properly. Still, don’t assume that you can stash away sticky bud and pull it out a year later with trichomes still intact.

Is sticky weed good?

Sticky-icky is a term you’ve probably heard before, and it usually refers to good weed! When properly cured, the cannabis bud will feel damp and sticky. If the weed doesn’t have these specific characteristics, it probably won’t be as high quality or flavorful. There are many slang terms for lower quality weed, so low quality cannabis is often referred to as “Round Town Brown” or “Reggie”.

Depending on your situation, you should choose your weed carefully. For example, you don’t have to use very sticky weed for edibles because you can get the same effects and save money by using dry weed. While sticky weed isn’t ideal for baking and can be expensive to share, it remains a preferred choice for many users.

RELATED: How Your Endocannabinoid System Affects Your Cannabis Experience

Additionally, if you’re hanging out with friends, buying drier marijuana in larger quantities might be more economical. Sticky bud tends to be more expensive per gram. If you opt for dried flowers, you can get significantly more bang for your buck.

If you want an exceptional cannabis consumption experience and can afford it, Sticky Weed is the way to go. Because of the potency, many find that using less is more cost-effective than using drier variations.

If you want a strong and long-lasting high, take the super sticky stuff. But if you’re trying to save money or don’t need such a powerful hit, dry weed will do the trick.

Start your cannabis wellness journey

Have you started your cannabis wellness journey? Jointly is a new cannabis wellness app to help discover purposeful cannabis use so you can achieve your wellness goals with cannabis and CBD. In the Jointly app, you can find new cannabis products, rate products based on how well they’ve helped you achieve your goals, and track and optimize 15 factors that can impact your cannabis experience. These 15 factors include your dose, the environment you use cannabis in, who you are with when you take it, how hydrated you are, the quality of your diet, how much sleep you got last night, and more. Download the Jointly app on the App Store or Google Play Store to start your cannabis wellness journey.