If you’ve gotten this far you’re already screaming vile words and phrases at your device. But you can relax now because I’m fucking with you.
Happy April Fools Day
And what better way of using a fake click bait article than drawing you in and actually educating you about why THC isn’t the only thing that matters when purchasing cannabis.
THC is just a small part of the equation, but many times it’s the last thing I think about when making a purchase. I’m an experienced cannabis user and I’ll explain what you should be looking for when you purchase cannabis in Washington’s recreational market.
Brand Loyalty
This is why brands are dope. It allows you to chunk all the necessary information needed when making a purchase simply by recognizing a logo or color combination. Do some research online. Many brands have awesome websites and Instagram accounts aimed at product education. Attend vendor days and tour grow facilities. Grill salespeople and brand ambassadors about the quality of their products. Look for transparent brands that do a great job of dispersing product information there’s a good chance you’re finding safe products.
Find Budtenders You Trust
I’m just going to say what everyone knows. Not all budtenders are equal, and some downright suck at their jobs and just look blown to be at work. Just because you love getting high doesn’t mean you’re educated about cannabis, it just means you love getting high.
Find a budtender that is educated about the products you’re asking about. If they can only describe cannabis as “that fire” or “dank” visit after visit, you might want to take what they say with a grain of salt. Find someone who can articulate strain knowledge in a digestible manner. Find a budtender that can teach you about: terpenes, cannabis genetics, grow methods, how concentrates are made, the differences between concentrates their stores brand specifics and know the in’s and out’s of recreational compliance.
Terpenes > THC Always
Terpenes matter. THC packs the psychoactive effects, but how THC interacts with terpenes is what dictates strain-specific effects. Terpenes produce the common aromas we associate with cannabis. Hazes have high amounts of terpinolene. Citrus aromas come from terpenes like myrcene and limonene. That sharp pine aroma comes from pinene. Some terpenes carry more THC across the blood-brain barrier, which is why a strain can be extra effective, despite having low THC numbers. Find a strain you can’t get enough of? Find out what terpenes were present and you can shop for those terpenes in other brands and strains.
When It Comes To Cannabis, Be Shallow
When there’s smoke, there’s fire. Does it look pretty? Buy it. Does it look pretty and you can almost smell it through the jar? Obviously, buy it. If the buds are full, fluffy, and covered in trichomes, buy it. Even if the label says it has 12 percent THC. Pretty weed with low numbers is always a better bet than bammer with high numbers on a label. It’s like drinking Everclear out of plastic handle because it has a higher alcohol content instead of enjoying Tito’s or Grey Goose for a little more money. If you drink everclear like that, you have other issues that cannabis might not fix anyways.
Trust Your Senses And Don’t Be Scared
The barrier to entry for cannabis education is still high, and there is a steep learning curve involved. At the end of the day, you can do all the research in the world, but you never really know how weed will affect you until you smoke it. So find something you vibe with, clear your schedule, and take a chance.
At the very worst, you get too high and reality gets weird for a few hours. If that happens, just drink some water and hang on for the ride. You’re not going to die and it’ll build some character. (This happens to me, at least twice a month.
Take my advice from above, and eventually, you’ll find a cannabis purchasing formula that works for your lifestyle. There might be some missteps on the way, but it happens to everyone.
