What Makes the Difference Between Good Weed and Bad Weed?

Last Updated on May 19, 2023

Marijuana has gained a lot of attention in recent years as more states legalize its use for both recreational and medical purposes. But with the new influx of marijuana on the market, it’s important to know how to distinguish good weed from bad weed.

Good-quality weed can provide numerous benefits, but low-quality cannabis can have negative effects on your health and well-being. Although we’ve come a long way from “dirt weed” or “ditch weed,” that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of bottom-shelf buds on the market.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what makes good versus bad weed so you can ensure you’re getting only the best product available.

Table of Contents

How to Distinguish Good Weed From Bad Weed?

With so many options available, it can be difficult to find high-quality weed. Here are some of the key traits to help you distinguish good weed from bad weed:

1. Appearance

High-quality buds should have a vibrant and healthy green colour, with a tight bud structure and be sticky to the touch. The buds should be covered in trichomes, which appear as small white crystals that give off a sparkly sheen to the naked eye.

Low-grade weed may be dry and crumbly and may even have patches of mould and mildew. Be sure to avoid any brown weed! Additionally, a primary indicator of low-grade marijuana buds is underdeveloped trichomes.

2. Smell

When in doubt, go with the smell test! The smell of good weed should be robust, pungent and earthy – it should make you want to take a deep breath!

A good weed smell is often a clear indication of higher quality. Lower-quality weed may have an overly sweet or harsh aroma due to pesticides and chemical fertilizers used in its cultivation.

3. Taste

Good cannabis that has been properly cured will retain its terpene and cannabinoid profiles better. This means that they will often have a more complex and stronger taste.

Low-quality weed, on the other hand, may have a bland or unpleasant flavour. Buds that have been improperly dried and cured will often taste burnt or harsh on the exhale.

4. Smoke Texture

The biggest difference between good and bad weed is the smoke! Good weed should burn smoothly, creating thick and creamy smoke. Plus, it should provide potent intoxicating effects!

Badly grown cannabis will often taste harsh or burnt and may cause coughing fits or an unpleasant burning sensation in the throat.

Additionally, it’s not uncommon to experience headaches after smoking low-quality products due to higher levels of pesticides and fertilizers present in the product.

What are the Effects of Good Weed vs Bad Weed?

The effects of good weed vs. bad weed can vary significantly, and it’s important to be able to distinguish between the two to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe experience. Here are some key differences in the effects of good weed and bad weed:

Effects of Good Weed

Good weed is typically characterized by a smooth, euphoric high that leaves you feeling happy, relaxed and uplifted.
Provide medicinal benefits such as pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep.
The high is generally well-balanced, with no negative side effects like anxiety, paranoia, or dizziness.
Depending on the strain, good weed may also enhance creativity, increase sociability, or provide a boost of energy.

Effects of Bad Weed

Conversely, bad weed can have a range of negative effects on the mind and body.

It may cause anxiety, paranoia, or confusion and can leave you tired or lethargic.
Bad weed may even cause physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, or dizziness.
Smoking low-quality weed can also lead to lung irritation or other respiratory problems.

It’s important to note that bad weed can vary greatly in terms of its effects, depending on the strain, dosage, and individual user.

Does Weed Go Bad?

It’s a commonly asked question – can weed go bad? The answer is yes, and it depends on many factors.

Cannabis will eventually degrade over time, losing potency and flavour as it ages. Poorly stored cannabis is especially susceptible to mould and mildew growth, which can make the product unsuitable for use.

Ageing cannabis in an airtight container in a cool, dark place will help extend its shelf life significantly. Additionally, proper curing techniques are essential if you want to get the most out of your crop – this includes drying it slowly over time in order to preserve its flavour profile as well as its cannabinoid content.

Ultimately, understanding how to store your weed correctly will help ensure you always get top-notch buds every time!

Do Trimming Machines Degrade Quality?

The best weed is almost always hand trimmed, and there’s a reason for that! Buds that are trimmed using a machine often damage the delicate trichomes and terpenes on the flower, ultimately affecting the quality of the product.

Additionally, machines often don’t do a very thorough job – leaving behind visible stems and leaves that can ruin the appearance of buds. A poor trim job can turn any good weed into bad weed.

RELATED: What is Wet and Dry Trimming?

Other Factors That Can Affect Overall Weed Quality

Apart from the factors mentioned above, there are a few other things that you should consider when assessing the quality of your weed.

Low-quality genetics or seed stock.
Poor growing conditions, such as inadequate lighting, nutrients, or ventilation.
Improper harvesting techniques, such as harvesting too early or too late.
Contamination with pesticides, mould, or other harmful substances.
Poor storage conditions, such as exposure to light, heat, or moisture.
Inadequate curing or drying of the buds.
Low THC levels due to improper breeding or growing techniques.
Inconsistent potency due to uneven distribution of THC and other cannabinoids.
Mislabeling or inaccurate information about the strain and its effects.

Is Expensive Weed Always Good?

No, expensive weed is not always good. While the price of weed can be influenced by factors such as its rarity, growing conditions, and brand, these do not always correlate with the quality of the strain. Finding high-quality weed at a reasonable price is possible, while some expensive strains may not be worth the cost.

When choosing a strain, it’s important to research, read reviews, and choose a reputable source to ensure you get a quality product. Ultimately, the quality of the weed depends on factors such as its growing conditions, harvesting techniques, and genetic makeup rather than its price tag.

Conclusion

When shopping for marijuana, it’s important to consider the product’s appearance, smell, taste and smoke. High-quality weed should have a vibrant green colour with a tight bud structure and be covered in trichomes that give off a sparkly sheen. It should also have an earthy aroma that makes you want to take a deep breath and burn smoothly when smoked.

On the other hand, low-grade cannabis may appear dry or crumbly with patches of mould or mildew; it will often have an overly sweet or harsh aroma due to chemical fertilizers used in its cultivation; and taste bland or unpleasant when smoked.

Other factors, such as harvest time and heat issues, can affect overall quality. Therefore, always make sure you do your research before purchasing any type of cannabis!

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