Beyond THC: Cannabis Potency Now and Then
Today’s bud is significantly more potent than the pot of the 1960s and 70s. Back in the day, you could get a nice buzz from puffing through a whole joint. In the 2020s, a hit of anything gets the average stoner pretty baked. Most of the semblance people give the old strains is due to nostalgia. Landrace strains and early hybrid crossbreeds tested extremely low in THC, often about 1%. Those Acapulco Gold and Thai Sticks would do nothing to people who’ve been smoking 24% and up for the past ten years. They even appeared less glamorous to the eye, with more dark green and brown hues. Now, we marvel at robust purples, crystally chartreuse, and vibrant vermillion hairs in any weed you pull off the shelf. But how exactly did we graduate from the reefer of the 70s to the dazzling herb we have today? And do all these numbers flying around mean anything?
Why Has Pot Gotten So Much Stronger Over the Years?
High demand in the market, selective breeding, and improved growing environments have shaped the industry greatly in the past few decades and turned ditchweed into dank weed. Cannabis used to be imported via cargo ships pressed into bricks, often from Colombia and Mexico. Due to being compressed and wrapped in plastic, they lost a lot of their natural quality in the process and were often dry, full of stems and seeds, and lacking in aroma and flavor. Although some strains were executed well and celebrated, such as Acapulco Gold and Panama Red, most of these batches of weed were nothing special compared to today.
How Has Selective Breeding and Growing Techniques Changed?
Cannabis breeders also pivoted in the 70s and began growing sinsemilla, or seedless cannabis. This was invented by drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero. Only female plants produce buds, so male plants are separated so that the females are not pollinated. Since these sinsemilla spend less energy forming seeds, they have more resin and higher terpene percentage, making for higher quality cannabis. However, this process is rarely used in modern days after feminized seeds became available in the 1990s. Selective breeding to improve plant structure and genetics has been practiced by farmers far before cannabis. Modern fruits like apples and bananas are farther from their original genetic makeup so more fruit could be harvested from each crop. Wild cannabis landrace strains look like shrubs compared to the modern mammoth plants used for modern cultivation. One of the best ways cannabis has matured and improved over the years is crossbreeding strains. Many staple strains these days have solidified themselves in the market after developing from two famous parent strains. This exemplifies how marijuana can improve the more we modify it, such as Skunk #1, a potent cross of Colombian Gold and Afghani. Being one of the first known hybrids, the uplifting effects from the Colombian Sativa balanced the heavy body high and sedation from the Afghani Indica.
Is High THC Content Always Better?
So the weed of the modern era is nice and strong! Sounds great, right? The issue is how often people solely use this number to make their cannabis selections. The percentage of THC in each product will definitely matter, but unfortunately, it dictates a lot more with sales than it does in the smoking experience. People are quick to reach for only high testing products. The secret is, everyone who works in cannabis or is knowledgeable of their intake is aware that a 17% THC joint is just as good as one that is as high as 30%. Marijuana stronger than 20% is classified as high potency cannabis. At Starbird, only one preroll on our menu is currently under that margin. This means that any of our prerolls will be able to deliver you a powerful psychoactive high. The large positive to this is that there is more.
Why Might You Choose a Lower THC Strain?
Technically speaking, high testing THC doesn’t necessarily constitute a more psychoactive experience, especially between smaller numbers. Unfortunately, the raving of these high testing plants reinforces the idea that high testing marijuana is objectively better than lower tests. This is all subjective and opinion-based. There's a bad effect from inbreeding marijuana plants to have high THC levels; we’ve significantly bred out CBD from most flowering plants. It is rare these days to find a flower grown with a good ratio of CBD to provide a relaxing, pain-relieving effect.
In recent years, the synthesis of THC, CBD, and all the other cannabinoids as well as terpenes (the main chemical compound in cannabis oil) has been named the entourage effect. The holistic benefits from the terpenes engaging with the THC are more of a contributor to an engaging and potent high than solely “strong” flower. The freshness, high percentage of terpenes, and dignified genetics contribute the most to great flower. It is too constant at Starbird that we get the request- GIMME THE HIGHEST TESTING!!! And we all happily give you what you requested, knowing you’ll enjoy your day. However, marijuana is too complex to adequately represent its quality with just THC. The highest is in no way the best. One of our budtenders put it this way: “Would you rather drink Everclear or Grey Goose?” Obviously, Everclear is stronger, but does that make it better than the intentional alcohol concocting by Grey Goose? Absolutely not. Marijuana can be gauged in the exact same way.
If the Highest Testing Isn’t the Best, Which Is?
You might be thinking, “If the highest testing isn’t the best one, which is?” And again, an extremely subjective question. What we want our patrons to know is that their preferred smoking experience is not going to be the same as everyone else’s. Since marijuana’s effects are very complex, your definition of stoned might not even be the same as our staff’s. There are now thousands of different strains to choose from, and an endless bank of escapades to indulge in. Don’t limit yourself to the ones that sit higher on the charts. Even the lowest testing half-gram preroll can pack a punch!
Our staff love nothing more than helping you select your perfect match. Here are some examples of questions that provide more clarity than just getting a high THC product:
What is the freshest bud you have right now?
We love this question! It shows that you, the consumer, really value the quality of the product. Something harvested more recently is less likely to be dry and will offer the best aroma compared to older batches. Curious about when your flower was harvested? Just ask your budtender. We list the harvest and package dates on everything we sell, ensuring you get the freshest bud possible.
What does it taste like/what is the terpene profile?
We often see surprised reactions when we ask people how they’d like their weed to taste. For many, the flavors might seem similar, but for routine smokers, distinguishing between different profiles becomes as nuanced as appreciating wine or cheese. Newer strains tend to feature citrus and fruity notes, largely thanks to popular terpenes like limonene and terpinolene, both known for their mood-enhancing effects. OG Kush, for example, is rich in myrcene, the most common terpene, offering an earthy, musky flavor and a relaxing experience.
What's the lineage?
Strains like Blue Dream, Durban Poison, Girl Scout Cookies, Headband, and Zkittles each offer unique experiences due to their diverse genetic backgrounds. Remembering that each strain has its own family tree can help if you’re looking to replicate a particular effect or experience. If there’s a strain you’ve enjoyed in the past, asking for something with a similar lineage can lead you to new favorites with comparable genetic makeup.
Who’s your favorite grower?
This question gives us a chance to spotlight the dedicated teams behind each expertly crafted cannabis batch. Different growers have distinct approaches and specialties. For instance, Green Meadows, Local Roots, and Tower Three opt for organic soil, affecting the final product's taste and quality. Meanwhile, growers like River Run Gardens from Newburyport might focus on indica-dominant hybrids, offering a different type of experience.
I want to get a good, restful night of sleep. What’s a good preroll I can smoke before bed?
Tailoring suggestions to your specific needs is what we excel at. For a restful night, we wouldn’t just suggest any high-potency strain. Often, we recommend a staff favorite like Moonbow by Fresh Connection for its relaxing and sleepy effects. It’s about finding the right fit for the scenario, not just the highest THC content.
At Starbird, our goal is to help each patron discover their perfect cannabis match, emphasizing the importance of quality, taste, and the overall experience over mere potency numbers. Whether you're curious about the freshest picks, flavor profiles, genetic lineage, our favorite growers, or the best strains for sleep, we're here to guide you through the selection process with expertise and care.
We believe our patrons to be unique and that each one deserves special care to help them select their perfect match. We value the intentional work that goes into every part of this business, from the seed to the soul. Fine tuning and strengthening the benefits of cannabis takes research, dedicated work and generations of time. That’s why we simply aren’t satisfied with shoving the strongest strain in your face. At Starbird, we always aim to deliver you with your own personally crafted cannabis experience. Fly high!