Picking your cannabis based on THC percentage is where you start, but many make the mistake of staying there. Sure, it’s important, but simply choosing based on THC levels is like deciding what movie to watch based on its budget. A multi-million dollar blockbuster might fill out the theatres, but sometimes, you really just want the low-budget indie flick to put you in your feels.
Forget About the THC Myth
If you want to know “how high,” then looking at THC is alright. But things get more exciting when you explore cannabis for specific effects. It’s like browsing through endless hoodies to find the snuggly one that keeps you warm during the chilly Canadian winters.
Go to any dispensary, and you’ll find at least one person hunting for the heavy hitters. They might be great, but if you’ve ever felt paranoid after a 30% THC strain and an 18% strain made you sleep like a baby, then you know. THC isn’t all that matters.
THC is just the intensity of what you’re smoking. It’s the other compounds, the CBN, CBD, and CBG, and the amazing terpenes that decide whether you’re chilling with the indie flick or hyper-cleaning your kitchen.
Choose Smartly: Consider the Effects and Context
The last thing you want is to take a relaxing edible right before a work meeting, thinking it’s meant to boost your focus. Of course, it won’t do that.
To avoid such embarrassing mishaps, it’s best to understand what effect you’d like to experience and how it can help (more on this later).
Here are some common effects of cannabis and why you’d want them:
- More Energy: Higher productivity at work and reduced fatigue
- Relaxation: Unwinding during the weekend or after work
- Focus: Enhanced clarity for studying or creative tasks
- Sleep Support: Sleeping more quickly and for longer, with better sleep quality
- Physical Comfort: Muscle relaxation and post-workout recovery
- Stimulating Appetite: Tackling reduced appetite
- Enhancing Mood: Regulating emotions better and feeling happier overall
Once you know what you want your cannabis to do, selecting the right one feels like a breeze!
Terpenes are Your Best Friend
Want to feel your best after smoking up or downing an edible? The next time you’re shopping, look at the product’s terpene profile. These terpenes are the organic compounds that determine how your cannabis smells and tastes.
Myrcene and linalool are the terpenes you want for a relaxing day. When you want to melt into your mattress after a terribly long shift or simply enjoy a documentary without a care in the world, find strains high in these terps.
Meanwhile, strains with high limonene lift your mood and bring out the social butterfly in you. If you’re heading to a party or just want a mood booster to feel less anxious, this citrusy terp is what you need.
The smell of a fresh forest soothes your brain, right? And a relaxed brain is the key to staying focused and keeping your wits about you, which is what you get with strains high in pinene. So, if you need to be at your creative best at a brainstorming session or hike through the Grand Trunk Trail, keep an eye out for this terpene.
If your post-leg day recovery isn’t hitting right, Caryophyllene strains work wonders. Anytime you need to relax and recover after an intense physical activity, this terpene has got you covered.
Shop By Occasion
Remember what we mentioned about cannabis effects and how they help? Here’s a little more on that to get you started if you don’t know where to start.
Before heading to your trusty dispensary in Huntsville or Ottawa, consider what you want to do instead of how high you want to be. For instance, if you want a quick vape before you do your dishes on Sunday morning, a Sativa hybrid with some pinene and limonene is the kicker you need. However, if you’re gearing up for a movie marathon over the weekend, you need some Indica with myrcene. Don’t forget the snacks, because after it hits, you won’t want to get back up.
Trust Your Nose
It’s the oldest trick in the book, and one of the best too. If a strain smells nasty, you probably won’t enjoy it, no matter its THC percentage. If it smells incredible, chances are your body wants that flavour.
Limonene has a citrusy scent, while myrcene has a musky, earthy one. Similarly, pinene smells like pine, and linalool has a lavender scent. Let your nose guide you, and you’ll end up with cannabis that will make your day.
Wrapping Things Up
Choosing cannabis is subjective and goes beyond checking its THC levels. The choices are endless, from vapes to concentrates and classic flowers, and the best way to pick is to keep an open mind. Check their aromas, understand their effects, and trust your gut to find the vibe you’re looking for.
