People that enjoy partaking in the Mary Jane very often look for strains that have higher levels of THC in order to get the most out of their experience. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis and is responsible for many of its intoxicating effects. It’s important to note that not all cannabis strains are created equal when it comes to THC content; some have more while others have less.
When searching for a particularly potent strain, there are several things one should consider such as potency level, terpene profile, and cannabinoid composition – all of which will affect the overall effect you’ll feel from consuming it.
Depending on what kind of experience one wants will depend on how much THC they want present within their flower or concentrate product – with concentrates usually having significantly higher concentrations than flower buds alone do due to them being highly processed and concentrated into smaller doses.
Let’s use this article as an opportunity to explore the different types of cannabis strains that have higher concentrations of THC, and what they may offer users. Knowing exactly what you’re looking for in terms of potency and effects can help you make an informed decision about which strain is best for your needs.
A Brief History of Cannabis
Cannabis has been used humans for both medical and recreational purposes for thousands of years. The earliest known use of cannabis dates back to the 3rd millennium BC in China, where it was used as a medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
As its popularity spread throughout Asia and eventually Europe and America, different strains were developed with varying levels of THC content.
In the United States, cannabis (marijuana) was widely available for both medical and recreational purposes until 1937 when it became illegal at the federal level due to concerns about addiction potentials from its psychoactive effects caused high concentrations of THC present within some strains.
Despite this prohibition, many people continued using marijuana or growing their own plants that had higher levels than what was found on average in those days – often creating new hybrids that are still popular today such as “Skunk” or “Sour Diesel” which have particularly high amounts compared other varieties.
The criminalization led directly into decades-long War On Drugs policies that made possession or sale punishable offenses even though research showed no evidence proving any causal link between consuming marijuana products with criminal behavior whatsoever – yet despite these facts being brought up repeatedly over time, they were largely ignored lawmakers who kept harsh punishments intact against users regardless.
It wasn’t until 1996 when California became the first state to legalize marijuana for medical use, followed Washington and Colorado in 2012 which were the first two states to fully legalize it for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
Since then, many other states have passed similar laws that either allow or are considering allowing certain forms of cannabis consumption – yet still regulating their sales with taxes and special licenses while also ensuring they remain compliant with federal law which still outlaws them entirely nationwide.
This new wave of legalization has caused a surge in demand for higher THC strains as people look for more potent experiences than what was available prior due to increased access being granted through these new markets. It’s now possible to find strains bred specifically for high levels of THC content; some even reaching over 30%!
This increase has allowed users greater freedom when choosing which products best suit their needs – whether it be strictly medical or simply recreational pleasure-seeking pursuits.
Understand Terpenes and Cannabinoids
Now, before we look at how to make sure you’re getting the highest possible THC content, let’s take a moment to understand the entourage effect and how it works. The entourage effect is a concept that explains the idea of cannabinoids and terpenes working together to create different effects when consumed.
It suggests that the compounds found in cannabis interact synergistically with each other, creating something more powerful than what any single compound could do on its own.
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals found within cannabis plants; they’re responsible for many of its therapeutic and intoxicating effects, as well as their medicinal benefits. Some common cannabinoids include:
- THC
- responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive properties
- CBD
- used medicinally due to anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities
- CBG & CBN
- both have sedative qualities which can help with sleep issues
- THCA & CBDA
- both are non-psychoactive and have anti-inflammatory effects
Terpenes, on the other hand, are compounds that give cannabis its unique aroma and flavor. They contain no psychoactive properties; however, they can influence how a particular strain affects you. For instance, some terpenes can cause an increase in focus while others may promote relaxation or even enhance creativity. Some common terpenes include:
- Myrcene
- known for its sedative qualities
- Limonene
- used to help with anxiety relief
- Linalool
- used as a mood enhancer
- Pinene
- helps with cognitive functioning
- Caryophyllene
- has anti-inflammatory effects
- Terpinolene
- often used to help with relaxation
It’s important to remember that all of these compounds work together in a synergistic manner, meaning one can’t simply look at the THC content and assume it will have the same effects as another strain.
It’s essential for people looking for specific results from their cannabis consumption to understand not just how much THC is present but also what other cannabinoids and terpenes are available within their chosen product in order to get an accurate idea of what kind of overall experience they’ll have.
The way that cannabinoids and terpenes interact together is known as the entourage effect and it’s an important factor to consider when trying to determine which strain is right for you. The more compounds present, the better your experience will be as they all work together in a synergistic manner – creating something that can’t be replicated with just one or two of them alone.
Some people even prefer strains and products that are low in THC but higher in other cannabinoids such as CBD or CBG, as these compounds can still offer therapeutic effects without any psychoactive properties.
It’s all about finding the right balance for your particular goals and needs – and understanding how to evaluate a product based on its chemical composition is key to achieving this goal.
Getting High THC Strains
Now, if you’re looking for a strain with higher levels of THC, there are several strategies you can use to ensure you’re getting the highest possible potency. Whether it’s for medical or recreational purposes, understanding how to evaluate a product based on its chemical composition is key to finding the right one for your particular goals and needs.
Here are some tips on what to look out for when searching high-THC strains:
- Look at reviews from other users online
- this will give you an idea of what kind of effects others have experienced from consuming that particular strain
- Check out lab test results
- reputable dispensaries should have these available so customers can get an accurate picture as to exactly how much THC is present in their products
- Talk with budtenders at local dispensaries
- they should be able to help guide you towards strains that might fit your needs better than others
- Try different products
- such as edibles, concentrates or tinctures – which often contain higher concentrations than flower buds alone do due their highly processed nature
Additionally, growers may also be able to create specially bred hybrids that are tailored specifically towards people looking for maximum potency; cross-breeding different parent plants together they’ll often increase the THC content of the resulting hybrid strain.
It’s important to note that not all high-THC strains are created equal; though some may be potent, they might lack in other areas such as terpene composition or cannabinoid balance.
It’s important to take all factors into consideration before committing to a particular product – and don’t forget about personal preference either! If you’re looking for something specifically tailored to your needs, speaking with budtenders can help guide you in the right direction.
Lastly, when shopping around for high-THC strains there are certain things one should watch out for such as moldy buds (which can indicate lower potency), discoloration due to bad storage practices, and inconsistencies between flower batches which could mean an overall weaker experience than expected – these should all be taken into consideration when selecting a strain with high concentrations of THC present within them.
That being said, most dispensaries are very good about storage.
Getting in the Right Headspace
Ultimately finding a strain with higher levels of THC isn’t too difficult; following the tips that we outlined above, you should be able to find one that fits your needs perfectly. Just remember to always do your research before purchasing – as even though high-THC strains can offer users a more potent experience, it’s still important for them to understand exactly what they’re getting into and how these products will affect them in order for their experience to remain pleasant.
