Assessing the quality of cannabis flower is a process that is highly subjective and varies considerably from individual to individual. This subjectivity is embedded in several key aspects of the cannabis experience, which may include the appearance, aroma, flavour, effects, and personal health objectives of the consumer. Whether someone is consuming for health as a necessity to function on a daily basis or is consuming more for social and recreational purposes might defer their preference one way or another. This is one of the great things about cannabis; it's largely a ‘horses for courses’ situation rather than a one-size-fits-all. Let’s break down some details to see how your preferences influence your measure of quality.
Visual Quality Of Cannabis:
Starting with appearance, while a vibrant, trichome-rich bud is generally perceived as a sign of quality, personal preferences can vary significantly. For some consumers, the appeal of deep green flowers with fiery orange hairs may be irresistible. In contrast, others may be drawn to the striking appearance of purple-hued strains. These preferences are often based more on aesthetic appeal rather than objective measures of quality. However, it brings us to our first mark of quality: visual assessment.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Trichome Coverage is a quality marker generally less subjective as all consumers will revere a glistening, dusty, white, heavy trichome-laden plant. High-quality cannabis flowers are densely covered in these tiny, crystalline structures, which house the majority of the plant’s active compounds, cannabinoids and terpenes. So, unless some funny business has gone on and you are the unfortunate receiver of ‘sprayed’ cannabis, the general feeling is,"the more trichomes, the better!"
True Colours
Conversely, colour can be more a thing of personal preference. Well-grown cannabis flowers tend to have vibrant colours. While green is the most common, and this one colour is on a fairly broad shade spectrum, cannabis can also be purple, blue, and even reddish in hue, depending on the strain. The other variables contributing to colour whilst the plant grows include light spectrum, nutrient availability and temperature.
If the genetic makeup is capable, it is possible to direct the colour somewhat through expert cultivation. Dark-coloured finished buds often take great pictures, so these types of flowers are often associated with high quality.
Don’t Leave Me This Way
How the flowers are trimmed can also be an important marker of quality. Although many people like a bit of leaf material with their finished flower, the vast majority like cannabis buds that are well-trimmed, meaning most of the leaf material surrounding the buds has been removed.
Although the variety of cannabis plays a significant part in this, it is still largely a subjective variable. Again, nicely tight-trimmed buds will generally move off the shelf quicker than leafy buds, but this is not to say that some don’t prefer some leaf material in the mix.
Appetite For Consumption
High-quality cannabis often has a strong and complex aroma. The scent should be fresh and reflective of its specific strain. Any off-putting smells, such as hay or mold, indicate problems in the growing or curing process.
However, aroma and flavour are among the most subjective aspects of assessing cannabis flower quality. The scent and taste of cannabis, dictated partially by the terpene profile, can elicit a range of responses from individuals. For example, one consumer might be enamoured with a strain that has a strong, earthy aroma, associating it with potency and effectiveness. In contrast, another user might prefer strains with sweet, fruity notes, associating these scents with a pleasurable and uplifting experience. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to the aromatic and flavour preferences of cannabis; it is intensely personal.
Slippery When Wet?
Moisture levels can also contribute to the quality level, with neither too dry nor too moist being preferred. Again, this splits the consuming masses into those who prefer the higher end of the moisture scale and those who prefer the lower end. Generally, between 8% and 12% moisture, finished cannabis can be dry and dusty if overdried and hard to grind if still too wet.
I Want It That Way
The subjective nature of assessing cannabis extends significantly into its effects. The psychoactive and physiological effects of cannabis can vary dramatically between individuals due to factors such as body chemistry, tolerance levels, and past experiences with cannabis. A deeply relaxing and sedative strain for one individual might only have a mild effect on another. Moreover, what one person considers a desirable ‘euphoric’ effect might be experienced as discomfort or anxiety by someone else. Here, the ‘quality’ of a cannabis flower becomes intimately tied to the individual's subjective experience of well-being.
Conclusion: You Can Go Your Own Way
In summary, the assessment of legal cannabis flower quality is deeply subjective. It is influenced by an individual's unique sensory experiences, physiological responses, and personal objectives. What is regarded as the pinnacle of quality for one person can vastly differ from what another considers top-notch cannabis. This subjectivity, rooted in personal biology, experience, and desire, underscores the complexity of defining ‘quality’ in the context of cannabis consumption.
