Here's what you need to know

Not all retail cannabis locations allow consumers to view the flowers they’re about to buy, although there is some known value in being able to see cannabis before purchase. Visual cues, like colour and bud structure, can help identify or verify the genetics.

When it comes to THC content, the visual cues are a little different, and slightly less reliable.

There’s no way to tell just by looking at cured cannabis flower how it will affect you, but there are some visual cues to pay attention to if you’re looking for cannabinoid-rich products.

Here’s what to look for when shopping for THC-rich cannabis flower.

FROSTING

Trichomes are crystal-like resin glands that cover the flower. They contain the flavour and aromatic components of cannabis as well as cannabinoids. Throughout the growing cycle, the trichomes change from clear to milky and cloudy, making some extra-resinous varieties appear “frosty,” a term used to define the generous amount of crystal-like trichomes.

This abundance is often an indication of high-quality cannabis.

This look gives some strains their “frosty” names—examples include Birthday Cake Kush, Wedding Cake, Frosty, Jack Frost and White Russian. Trichomes contain all kinds of cannabis compounds, so make sure you do some research before making a purchase.

If you know that the strain you’re looking at was bred to yield high levels of THC, then the frosted look will tell you that this plant achieved, or at least edged on, its full potential.

THE GREENS

Besides looking at the trichomes, make sure that you know what your desired THC-rich flower is supposed to look like—and don’t settle for less.

Although they are both THC factories, the cannabis flowers of Sour Diesel and Purple Kush can appear quite different even if both are of premium quality. But if your cannabis appears parched and dull green, the trichomes and THC content is degraded.

Sloppy trim jobs could leave some bulk on the flower to increase the weight of the product, and that will decrease the overall amount of THC, as well as other cannabinoids and terpenes, per gram.

CURE

The harvesting, drying and curing methods used by the grower can significantly influence the result. An excellent dry flower that is rich in cannabinoids, THC included, should have the characteristics listed above, as well as the right moisture content.

Properly cured cannabis, when smoked using combustion—a joint, blunt or bong, for example—should burn smoothly and leave white ash. Chunky, black ash indicates a poor cure job.

SCENT (the bonus non-visual cue)

Each variety of cannabis has a slightly different aroma because there are thousands of terpenes, and each genetic combination expresses terpenes differently.

Growing conditions will also affect the types and amounts of terpenes in the final product. It’s not a perfect science, but if the THC-rich cannabis you’re holding emits a robust and pleasant terpene profile, you can deduce that the plant grew in optimal conditions that would allow it to develop plenty of THC molecules.

To Read More, Visit Source: Four visual cues to look for when buying high-THC cannabis strains