The THC percentage often receives significant attention as a marker of cannabis quality. Typically, the higher the THC percentage, the higher the associated price and perceived quality. However, it’s important to note that while this is a widely used metric, it may not always provide an entirely precise assessment of quality or desirability, especially when differences are within a few percentage points.
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THC and Intensity of Onset
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or what we commonly call THC, is the primary active ingredient in cannabis products that helps to achieve a euphoric “high” feeling when consumed. The “delta” part is sometimes written as Δ. The chemical formula of delta-9 is C₂₁H₃₀O₂. This is the same as another molecule that is gaining interest, delta-8, except that one of the carbon-carbon double bonds is in a different position.
Different products have differing ranges of THC:
- Floral clusters (buds, flowers) generally have THC values between 10 and 35%, with 15 to 25% being common.
- Cannabis buds fortified with kief or hash (moon rocks) tend to test at 40 to 50% THC.
- Kief or hash by itself is commonly in the 50 to 80% range.
- Concentrates (dabs) may be as low as 60% with high terpene retention, but more commonly are in the 70 to 90% range.
The one significant advantage of consuming higher THC cannabis products is in what might be described as the “intensity of onset” — that is the feeling of the “hit” or “stunning” quality when inhaled. This may or may not be desirable depending on the intent of cannabis product consumption, and may be mitigated by the tolerance of the consumer. THC percentage tends to play a crucial role in how concentrates “hit” harder than flowers, depending on tolerance. The experience of the “high” afterward seems to be similar, according to anecdotal reporting, regardless of the THC content in the chosen cannabis products.
The Numbers Game
There is some debate about how potent unadulterated cannabis flowers can be. Claims have been made for cannabis buds testing as high as 40%. Godfather OG is often touted as one of the most potent varieties available, often sold with a price tag to match.
However, high numbers can be deceiving, especially once money gets involved. Labs that give high results can attract customers (growers and packagers) away from labs that give accurate results. If a hypothetical grower sends samples to two different labs and the results from one lab show higher than the other, that puts pressure on the grower to use the higher-result lab in the future, since that can make their product more valuable on paper.
Moisture content can be manipulated to change the results as well. High moisture content dilutes contaminates, and low moisture content can increase THC percentages. Other ways to increase THC in a sample include fortifying it or substituting with a known higher THC variety. Even from the same plant, the actual THC percentage may be slightly different at the top, bottom, outer branches, and inner buds.
While the consumer may have an interest in the reported percentages being correct, many others in the supply chain benefit from numbers that are inflated to some degree. Independent testing on the actual products sold in dispensaries frequently show lower results than what is claimed on packaging. That isn’t to say that lab testing isn’t important, but the reality may be that testing for toxins and pesticide residue is more important than labeling THC levels down to a degree more exacting than the margin of error.
One thing to consider is that depending on local prices, fortifying nice tasting mid-range buds with hash or a concentrate to increase THC content may in some cases be more cost effective than buying premium priced top-shelf flowers.
Stronger Isn’t Always Better
As a personal anecdote, allow me to describe the strongest hit I’ve experienced so far. During my travels around the country giving classes and making personal appearances, I happened to stop in Rhode Island to visit with some friends. I was smoking some cannabis out of a large-bowled bong. My associate and I were taking turns and hitting corners. Nearing the end of the bowl, I handed it over with what I guessed was about one hit left. When the bong was handed back to me, I quickly glanced at the bowl, which appeared bereft of much unburnt cannabis remaining, and I decided to give it a good hard pull while torching the sides and center, trying to wring out any last remaining bits in an attempt to get a last little hit off the spent bowl.
This was the one and only time I’ve ever lost consciousness while smoking cannabis. It is without a doubt, the strongest hit I’ve ever had. According to my associate (whose word I have to take on it as I don’t recall the details personally) I set the bong down, pushed it back to a safe distance, and then passed out, bouncing off the table before hitting the floor. From my perspective I had a pleasant short dream about laying on grass with my eyes closed in a park somewhere listening to birds singing and children laughing.
Unbeknownst to me, after I handed the bong over, my associate finished off the bowl, emptied it, and filled it with small chunks of a dark and potent hash. I was somewhat distracted and didn’t notice this change in bowl contents when it was handed back to me, and so instead of torching out the last little smidge of a mostly spent bowl as I was expecting, I instead blazed out the entire bowlful of hash in one go.
The moral of this story is that stronger does not necessarily equate to a better experience. Much like salt on popcorn, there can be such a thing as too much. Concentrates in particular can be easy to overdo for people without a developed tolerance.
Entourage and Synergy
The entourage effect theory suggests that it is the combination of THC with other compounds such as cannabidiol (CBD) and terpenes that creates a cumulative overall effect. That is, the presence (or lack thereof) of CBD and terpenes influence the effect of the THC on a person. If correct, then there is a difference between consuming various varieties of cannabis, as well as a difference between consuming buds versus the various forms of concentrates. When discussing the entourage effect, the dialog usually centers around chemical compositions and biological reactions. Scientists on both the pro and con side of the issue have yet to make a definitive conclusion as to the veracity of the claim, or the specific details if true.
However, taking a more synergistic (if somewhat less scientific) approach, there may be something to the idea. For example, alpha-pinene is one of the best known terpenes in cannabis. One of the distinct properties of alpha-pinene is that it has a pine tree aroma. This isn’t surprising because alpha-pinene is not unique to cannabis, but is also found in conifers such as pine trees, and a variety of other plants. It is also the primary constituent of turpentine, and is found in some household cleaning supplies.
What a person thinks of when they smell pinene may have an impact on how they react to it, even if it is subconscious. One person may love the smell because it reminds them of pleasant memories in the woods, another may loathe the smell because it reminds them of scrubbing floors in unpleasant circumstances. These two hypothetical people may react somewhat differently when smoking cannabis with a strong pinene aroma, even if they don’t realize why.
Taking an even more synergistic-holistic view, environment can also have an influence on the perceived effects of cannabis. Anecdotally, I’ve personally observed that smoking cannabis where it is illegal has a higher tendency to induce paranoia about being caught smoking cannabis than places where it is legal to do so. Smoking cannabis while having fun and laughing with friends seems to have a different sort of high than expressing yourself artistically through some form of art while smoking cannabis alone. Where a person’s “head is at” and under what circumstances they are consuming has an apparent impact on the effects of the high experienced.
Tolerance & Moderation
People have been consuming cannabis for longer than recorded history. Common cannabis today is thought to be stronger than the cannabis commonly available at any time previous. This may not be as meaningful as it appears. It would be both short-sighted and incorrect to claim that the hippies of the ’60s and jazz musicians of the ’20s didn’t or couldn’t get high. Consuming less THC tends to make one more sensitive to it, just as repeatedly consuming large quantities tends to make one more tolerant of it.
While the exact mechanisms involved are still being researched, multiple studies have shown that the overall experience of low-tolerance folks smoking flowers tends to be similar to high-tolerance folks consuming concentrates. One thing I have noticed over the years of consuming and observing others consume cannabis is that people who normally consume smaller amounts of THC can enjoy a noticeable difference when celebrating by temporarily increasing the amount they consume. For example, someone who smokes small bowls or joints of flower as their usual habit can notice a substantial difference when taking a few dabs at a special event. There does appear to be an upper limit, as I’ve noticed that people who consume several dabs daily tend to have tolerances so high that it can be difficult for them to make a large enough increase in consumption to get much “higher” than someone who smokes flower daily.
While there is a youthful tendency with some folks to brag about overindulgence and the ability to overconsume, that may not actually be the wisest method of consumption. The bottom line is that an obsession with THC percentage as a sole measure of cannabis quality can be misleading and oversimplified. While it’s true that higher THC levels can lead to a more intense onset of the “high,” this is not the only factor to consider when evaluating cannabis products. The “numbers game” surrounding THC content has its own set of challenges, including variability in testing results, moisture manipulation, and potential for misrepresentation within the industry. Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that stronger doesn’t always equate to a better cannabis experience.
While THC percentage is one aspect to consider, it’s essential to focus on the overall experience, individual preferences, and the importance of responsible consumption. Quality in cannabis goes beyond a single number, encompassing factors such as terpene profiles, cannabinoid ratios, and the individual’s own tolerance and intent for use.