“High” Impact: What Makes Cannabis Potent?

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned cannabis enthusiast, understanding the magic behind cannabis potency can elevate your experience. But what determines this potency? 

Factors like cannabinoid levels, aromatic terpenes, how it's grown, when it's harvested, the extraction process, and even how you store it all play a part in its strength and effects. And in this blog, we are going to get into all the details! 

However, first things first. Let’s explore what cannabis is and what makes it so potent. Join us on this exciting journey as we teach you how to choose the perfect product to suit your needs.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis, also known as marijuana or weed, is a substance found in the cannabis or hemp plant that has over 60 compounds, the most popular being THC and CBD. 

THC is the psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant and is known to cause the famous "high,” making you feel an altered sense of perception, time, and space. It can also make you feel euphoric, helping you boost your energy. 

CBD, on the other hand, is the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis that is known for its therapeutic benefits like pain relief and relaxation without the “high” sensation associated with THC. 

Other than these two main compounds, you can also find others, like HHC and Delta-8 that normally offer a balance between the effects of THC and CBD. But what makes cannabis so strong? Let’s take a look. 

What Makes Cannabis Potent?

Potency in cannabis refers to the strength of the effects that a user experiences when consuming weed. It is mainly determined by the concentration of cannabinoids like THC or CBD per product. 

So to determine how potent a product is, here is a table of the level of potency in products depending on the concentration of cannabinoids and the type of product you choose:

Product	Concentration Range	Level of Potency
Flowers or Buds	5-30% on average	Mild to High
Concentrates	50-90%	Very High
Edibles	1-800 mg per piece	Mild to Very High
Tinctures	1-60 mg per ml	Mild to High
Topicals	0.3-6%	Mild for a localized effect
Vapes	60-95%	High to Very High

Keep in mind that the average dose of cannabis is 5 mg, so anything lower than 5 mg per serving will generally have milder effects, while anything higher than 5 mg will be stronger. In that vein, anything more than a 30% concentration level is sure to send you to the moon! 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that a highly concentrated product doesn't necessarily mean that it will make you feel extremely "high." Everyone reacts differently to weed, and what may be a high dose for you could be a low dose for someone else. 

For example, some people need 50 to 200 mg of cannabis because they have built resistance to the substance from overusing it. On the other hand, if you have a highly functioning metabolic system, you could get very high from just 1 mg of weed.

To determine your desired level of potency when it comes to the concentration of cannabinoids, we suggest talking with a medical professional who is certified in medicinal weed and can help you experiment safely. 

The 6 Factors That Can Alter Cannabis Potency

The potency of a cannabis product doesn't just depend on how much THC or CBD it contains. So, let’s take a look at the six main factors that can alter the potency of cannabis products.

Terpene Content

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis that can work synergistically with cannabinoids to enhance their smell, taste, and even the potency of the strain. There are multiple types of terpenes, each with their own characteristics, so let’s take a look. 

Terpene	Scent	Taste	Potency	Effects
Myrcene	Earthy, fruity	Tropical, sweet	High	Relaxation and sedation sensation.
Limonene	Citrusy	Lemon, orange	Medium	Mood elevation, stress relief, antibacterial.
Pinene	Pine, muskyy	Earthy, pine	Mild	Alertness, bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory.
Linalool	Floral, spicy	Floral, sweet	Medium	Calming, anxiolytic, pain relief.
Caryophyllene	Peppery, Spicy	Spicy, Woody	Medium to High	Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, gastroprotective.
Humulene	Woody, earthy	Earthy	Mild	Appetite suppressant, anti-inflammatory.
Terpinolene	Piney, herbal	Pine, floral, herbal	Medium	Antioxidant, sedative, antibacterial.
Ocimene	Sweet, herbal	Sweet, woody	Mild to Medium	Decongestant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory.
Nerolidol	Woody, citrusy	Sweet, woody	Mild	Sedative, antifungal, soothing.

It's important to note that the impact of terpenes can be influenced by a variety of factors, including individual biology and the presence of other compounds. So to determine the ideal terpene content for your desired needs, consult with a cannabis professional.

Growing Conditions

Other than the terpene content, the growing conditions of the cannabis flower will also determine the potency of a product. Cannabis that is cultivated under optimal conditions tends to be more potent because the cannabinoids are well-preserved. 

Factors like light exposure, nutrients, water, and temperature all play into the final potency of the product. For example, outdoor strains tend to be less potent than indoor strains, given that you can control their light exposure better.

On the other hand, poorly fertilized indoor strains could be less potent than outdoor strains that are well-fertilized. So how do you know if your product was well grown? 

Make sure any products you select have growing certifications that ensure strains are grown in optimal conditions. Products that are certified are guaranteed to be potent because of their high-quality care.

Harvesting Time

The ideal harvesting time for cannabis plants is crucial for ensuring the potency, taste, and overall quality of the buds. Cannabis is usually ready to harvest when the pistils (or hairs) and trichomes (the resin glands) on the flowers have matured. 

The specific timing can vary based on the strain and growing conditions. However, there are some factors that growers take into account to ensure that the buds are harvested at the ideal time. So let’s take a look: 

1. When 50–70% of the pistils of the flower have darkened and curled in, that generally means it’s ready for harvest. 
2. When the trichomes on the buds are milky white or cloudy, it means that the THC levels in the strain are at their peak, leading to a highly potent strain. 
3. Some growers wait for the trichomes to turn amber, which indicates higher levels of CBN, a calming compound in cannabis, to achieve a milder high.

To determine the potency of your strain by harvesting time, you can use a jeweler’s loupe or a microscope to look at the pistols and terpenes for yourself. If you come across curled hairs and milky terpenes, that strain is going to be extremely potent.

The Extraction Methods

Furthermore, the extraction method of cannabinoids significantly affects the potency, purity, and overall profile of the final product. Here's how several common extraction methods can influence potency:

Extraction Method	Description	How it Affects Potency
CO2 Extraction	It uses carbon dioxide to separate cannabinoids from the plant material to create concentrates.	It produces high-purity extracts offering higher potency.
Ethanol Extraction	It uses ethanol to dissolve the cannabinoids and create full-spectrum extracts.	The high temperatures degrade cannabinoids, lowering their potency.
Hydrocarbon Extraction	It uses butane or propane solvents to extract cannabinoids and terpenes.	It produces high-potency concentrate with robust terpene profiles.
Steam Distillation	It uses steam to vaporize cannabinoids and terpenes, which are condensed into an oil.	It may lead to a loss of potency due to the heat involved.
Dry Sift and Ice Water Extraction	It uses mechanical methods like sieving or washing to isolate the trichome heads.	It is less potent than solvent extraction methods.
Olive Oil Extraction	The cannabis is heated to activate the compounds in the strain and infused into oil.	It creates less concentrated products, resulting in lower potency.
Rosin Pressing	It uses heat and pressure to squeeze resinous sap from the plant material.	It produces highly potent extracts, like wax, without chemicals or solvents.

Understanding the nuances of each method can help guide decisions based on desired outcomes, such as maximum potency, specific cannabinoid profiles, or natural product preferences. 

[caption id="attachment_17221" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cannabis Vape[/caption]

Age of the Product

Over time, the chemical composition of cannabis can change. As a result, an aged cannabis product might not deliver the experience you're expecting. So, let's take a quick look at the average shelf life of cannabis products. 

Product	Average Shelf-life
Flower	6-12 months
Concentrates	2 years
Edibles	Varies but typically up to 6 months
Tinctures	1-2 years
Capsules	1-2 years
Topicals	1 year
Transdermal Patches	3 years on average

Keep in mind that the shelf life can vary depending on the product. So to ensure maximum potency, check the packaging for manufacturer-recommended use-by dates and if your product looks or smells different from when you first bought it.

While aged cannabis might not necessarily be bad in the traditional sense, its potency, and by extension, its effects, can diminish over time. You can also extend the average shelf life of a product with the proper storage practices. So let’s take a look! 

Storage Practices 

Lastly, how you store your cannabis products can also greatly affect their potency. So let’s explore some storage practices that could extend the shelf-life of your products and extend their potency:

1. Use airtight containers to reduce the exposure to oxygen, which can speed up the degradation process.
2. Store your products in a cool and dry place, ideally between 60°F and 70°F, to avoid overheating, which can dry the cannabinoids and terpenes.
3. Keep your products in opaque containers out of direct sunlight, given that UV rays from the sun can degrade cannabis over time. 
4. Aim to keep the humidity levels around 59%–63% to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which could rot your flowers.
5. Avoid plastic bags or containers, as they can encourage sweating and condensation, and instead opt for glass jars to store your products. 
6. Minimize handling your buds too much, given that you could lose trichomes, affecting the potency of your strain.
7. Consider vacuum-sealing your products you don’t plan to use soon to protect them from air exposure.
8. Keep your products away from electrical appliances that can generate heat, potentially impacting the cannabis's potency.
9. Every once in a while, inspect and smell your stored product to catch any early signs of mold or degradation.
10. Avoid refrigerating or freezing your products, given that these environments can cause cannabinoid and terpene loss. 

By following these storage practices, you can help ensure that your cannabis stays as potent and fresh as possible. And if you aren’t quite sure how to store certain products, be sure to ask a budtender in the dispensary who can further guide you on best storage practices. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the potency of cannabis is a captivating mix of science and nature. It's influenced by everything, from the concentration of cannabinoids to the way the plant is nurtured and processed. 

Knowing these factors can make a huge difference in your cannabis adventure, whether you're chasing the euphoric high of THC, the soothing calm of CBD, or a blend of both, helping you select a strain that is catered to your intended needs. 

However, keep in mind that proper storage is key to keeping your cannabis fresh and potent. Armed with the insights from this blog, you're now ready to make smart, informed choices about your cannabis use. 

Remember that you can chat with a friendly budtender or a medical professional to gain further insights into your ideal cannabis product. Here's to discovering the potent possibilities of cannabis!