Flowers

What is a Cannabis Flower?

Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis flower. Native to Central and South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various traditional medicines for centuries. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive component of cannabis, which is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis can be used by smoking, vaporizing, within food, or as an extract.

Marijuana in Canada was legalized in 2018. Currently, cannabis flowers in Canada are widely used recreationally and are of course subject to different age and regional regulations.

Different Types of Cannabis Flower

There are literally thousands of different marijuana strains and within each strain are different qualities of buds that range from top shelf premium marijuana to cheap weed and budget buds. One of the most important characteristics of a cannabis strain is the THC content.

The 3 main categories of cannabis flower are:

Cannabis Indica is an annual plant in the family Cannabaceae. It is a pseudo-species of the genus Cannabis. Cannabis Indica is grown for many purposes; Cannabis indica produces large amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The higher concentration of THC provides a euphoric effect that has made it popularly used as a recreational drug, alternative medicine, and clinical research drug.

Cannabis Sativa is an annual herbaceous flowering plant indigenous to Eastern Asia, but now of cosmopolitan distribution due to widespread cultivation. Cannabis flowers belonging to the Sativa family often have a vegetal flavor. When used, it feels full of energy and in the brain feels very “High” (flying, creative, excited …), so Sativa is suitable for use during the day.

Cannabis Hybrid is the best of both worlds.  They generally possess a nice balance between the Indica and Sativa effects. Many producers crossbreed cannabis flowers to develop new strains with specific characteristics.

Cannabis Flower Grading System

A cannabis grading system is important in order to be able to judge the quality of your weed. Although there is more than one system for determining the quality of cannabis flower, the grading of weed from A – AAAA + may end up being the most accurate representation of lab results and accurate evaluation. Being able to identify those differences allows you to better understand what to expect from your experience and once you understand the grading system, gain a whole new level of appreciation for this wonder plant.

A – Single-A (“OD” or “GH”)

Commonly referred to as dirt weed, it is the lowest quality of all cannabis grades. Most times, it is remnants of an extracted (butane-blasted) cannabis flower sold for extra profit. While this grade of weed still has some semblance of a bud, this is the weed that got tossed aside in the grading process.

AA – Double-A (“Dubs”)

For the budget-minded consumer, dubs or AA grade cannabis is a perfectly good option. It has a brown or off-color tinge in their green outlook. This type contains relatively more THC than its lower counterpart.

AAA – Triple-A (“Trips”)

Weed has been improving for as long as people have been smoking it and AAA used to be the very best weed you could get. Still, with advancements in technology and cannabis cultivation alike, this has gone one tier below with the “quads” being the current premium weed class. Available in a variety of types, this is the most common high-standard cannabis flower form sold in dispensaries and stores.

AAAA – Quad-A (“Quads”)

AAAA Weed Canada or “Quads” is also a high-quality product that sits well on the top shelf. AAAA grade cannabis will rank high in all criteria including THC/CBD content, aesthetics, bud size, trichome, and terpenoid content. It hasn’t reached absolute perfection but it comes so close that the difference will be difficult to pin down for all but the most dedicated weed aficionados. At this level, aromas are pungent, dank, and decidedly pleasing.

AAAA +

AAAAA Grade cannabis flower is the very pinnacle of quality. It’s also very rare with only the most select bugs making it to this high-quality level. While the difference may be subtle at this level, these buds are thick, fresh, covered in trichomes, and full of wonderful aromas. This level of quality also delivers an outstanding taste that comes through most strongly when vaping.

Determine quality of Cannabis Flower

Aside from the detection of cannabis quality based on the CBD or THC-level, these relate more to potency than quality. Even low potency cannabis flowers can be a high-quality product. The most accurate ratings look at all of the following:

Flower Structure: Cannabis flowers are evaluated based on the criteria of softness and porosity. They’re a bit sticky. The buds are evenly shaped with a fair amount of symmetry. Make sure they are not ragged and random in their appearance.

Trichome Density: Buds are often described by the sinews or hair-like fibers that cover the bud. These are trichomes and this is where the THC is held. They also play a practical role in nature. They help protect the plant and cannabis flower from insects and overheating by the sun. The more trichomes there are on a bud, the more potent the cannabis is likely to be.

Trim: Trimming in cannabis cultivation is the act of shearing off long leaves from the plant, post-harvest. As unimportant as this might seem, trimming is an essential aspect of the aesthetic value and grade quality of the plant. High-quality cannabis flowers often come with a good trim, while low or mid-quality flowers usually have less time put into their care.

Terpene profile: Terpenes are the compounds in all plants responsible for their distinctive aroma. In cannabis flower, they work synerg istically with compounds to produce the effect and therapeutic benefits of the plant.  In nature, terpenes create odors that act as natural bug repellents.

Sprays and Pesticides: Although the use of chemical pesticides in the cultivation of cannabis plants is illegal, some cannabis flower growers go against the law. Asides the potential health risks of ingesting chemical residues, the presence of such residues or diseases could give an inkling to the quality of the cannabis.

Burn: One of the ways cannabis quality is determined is to examine the burn and the consistency of the ash. High-quality cannabis is most times cured for an adequate period to expel excess moisture, causing it to burn well without quenching. It’s in this process that moisture is reduced without over-drying the cannabis. It’s just the excess moisture that needs to be eliminated.

Ash Color: The color of the ash is another important clue that will be defining the quality of cannabis. The best quality cannabis flower leaves the whitest of ash. The poorest quality will result in ash that is dark brown to black. Gray ash indicates decent quality cannabis that sits somewhere in the middle.

Flavor and Effect: Each grade of cannabis, not to mention each strain, as a unique flavor profile. Each grade quality has its distinct burn flavor and effect owed to its phytochemical levels. Therefore, this is a crucial factor to consider when evaluating cannabis quality.

Shop for Cannabis Flower in Canada at Herb Heaven

Herb Heaven is committed to providing the cannabis community with highest quality products. We hold our suppliers to the highest level of standard when it comes to Marijuana in Canada. Every order is provided with a tracking number when you order weed online so you know exactly where your package is. Our professional commerce system makes it fast and safe for you to buy marijuana online.  We have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.  If you are not satisfied with your purchase or the product is not right for you, contact us.  We are always willing and able to help assist you in finding the solution that best fits your needs. Herb Heaven has some of the best prices to offer when it comes to buying online pot in Canada. Buying Cannabis Flower from online retailers is the easiest and the cheapest way to get your hands on some great buds in Canada at Herb Heaven. It’s as simple as a few taps away on our Herb Heaven website and as soon as your order is confirmed, your amazing cannabis products are delivered to your door. Of course, it’s also convenient. It only takes a few clicks to choose the products you want and set up delivery straight to your address. You can even do it from your mobile phone. This makes buying online a fantastic choice for anyone.