There are differences in how marijuana is grown, then harvested and stored. If you’re going to have bad weed, it’s better not to have weed at all. Bad weed has toxic effects that can harm you. So you need to know how to spot high-quality cannabis from bad ones.
Buy from Safe Sellers
If you buy from a marijuana dispensary, the quality standard is quite high. But, illegal weed varies considerably in quality. Regardless where you get your cannabis, you should know what to look for in cannabis so you get the best weed for your money.
Whenever possible, buy from a certified and tested dispensary. Odds are you’ll get a high-quality cannabis from these places. In Barcelona, you can get top-quality cannabis from private social clubs.
However, private dealers and street dealers are risky to buy from. First, there is the legal aspect to consider and second, your health can be at risk, too.
The Three-Shelf System
If you are new to buying cannabis, keep in mind of the three-shelf system. The top-shelf products will literally be top-grade cannabis. Meanwhile, mid-grade cannabis will be on the middle shelf. On the lowest shelves are economy weed which are cheap and yet of poor quality.
If you are tight on budget, go for the mid-grades rather than from the bottommost layer. This is especially important if you are new to smoking cannabis. Even if you can’t afford from the top shelf, at least select from the middle shelf cannabis.
The Smell of Good Cannabis Cannot Be Mistaken
Good quality cannabis buds that are well-grown should have a very particular, skunky or pungent aroma. This is caused by a high THC. However if there is no smell or it smells like hay or alfalfa, chances are you have a poorly-grown marijuana or else cured cannabis.
Keep in mind, some cannabis may smell like chocolates and coffee like that of an indica strain. Hybrid strains are more in-between sweet and bright. Sativa strains have a more citrus scent.
Fresh Greens Not Browns
When the marijuana buds are brown, amber, rusty red, yellow, or tan, you have an unhealthy marijuana stash. Go discard these and trade them for quality cannabis that are generally green in color. The shade can be in hues of green. Some are light green while others are darker, forest greens with purple or golden undertones is okay.
However, marijuana buds that are bleached white but not because of crystals are lightly burned due to exposure to extreme high-intensity light. These buds are not good for smoking.
Judge by the Apperance
Marijuana differs slightly in appearance according to the strain. Indica strains are dense and tight. Sativa strains are fluffy and light. Hybrid strains are a mix of both. If the cannabis has incomplete buds, a lot of visible stems, more pistils or orange hairs, then that is bad-quality marijuana.
Also, the leaves should be trimmed by hand not by a machine that can damage the trichomes. Avoid marijuana buds that are untrimmed or have many leaves in excess. Also avoid machine-trimmed marijuana as the cultivation of which is oft rushed.
Trichomes aka white crystals
Properly-grown cannabis is densely packed with trichomes visible on the surface as milky white crystals. If you have a frosty bud, that means you will have a tasty and aromatic experience with a high THC content.
If you use a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass, the trichomes will look like mushrooms. Over-ripened buds and premature buds are not to be consumed.
Presence of Pests and Molds
The cobweb-looking spider mites or thin white hairs should be removed as these are pests that can cause harm to you. Find marijuana that is free of mold and pests. Mold looks like powdery mildew or sometimes it can be gray and fuzzy which is a fungal pest. Do not consume cannabis with mites and other pests as they can leave behind eggs, dead pests, and fecal matter.
Cannabis bananas
Too much heat, too much temperature changes, lack of nature, poor genetics, inconsistent or very bright light can lead to cannabis bananas that form on the plant. These look like long, yellow pods. There are many seeds, too. Cannabis bananas should not be consumed.
Potency of Weed
You should buy tested and certified weed from the proper dispensary. If you want to test the potency of the weed that you buy, you can use cannabinoid tests from cannabis labs to ensure the quality of the plant. There are testing devices you can use like the electronic tCheck with insertable tray to put the cannabis samples.
Good weed vs bad weed
Good weed is characterized by its green leaves, not too many with sticky white crystals on its surface. It has a strong, pungent smell, no seeds, stems, and excess leaves. It will also not crumble when touched.
Bad weed has a damp, weak, or hay-like smell. It is brown in color, overly dry, damp, or crumbly. Low-quality weed will definitely affect your experience.
