After cannabis legalization swept across several states, buying cannabis became like any other stop at the store. You grab groceries, fill up your gas tank, buy a few odds and ends at the hardware store and – why not – stop by a cannabis retailer for an ounce of relaxation.
But unlike those other shopping experiences, you might not feel entirely confident in buying cannabis. As you scan the strange strain names like Tangerine Dream and White Widow, you might feel like you’re reading Greek. And as you gaze across the specs on each bottle, you might scratch your head and wonder how anyone makes sense of it all.
Don’t worry. This short guide covers everything you need to know about buying cannabis like an old pro.
Know the Basics: THC, CBD and Terpenes
All that information on the package means something. Cannabis has two main cannabinoids: THC and CBD. The former is responsible for cannabis’ psychoactive characteristics, and the latter has calming, stress-reducing effects. The higher the THC listed, the more psychoactive or potent the cannabis will be. Conversely, strains high in CBD but low in THC will have minimal psychoactive effects but may feel more calming.
Lastly, a package might list dominant “terpenes,” the flavor compounds in the flower. These terpenes range from spicy and pungent to floral or piney, depending on the individual terpene.
Have a Firm Idea of Your “Goals”
Now that you understand the basics, you have an important decision to make: What kind of experience am I after? Do you want a mellow evening playing video games or a productive morning cleaning the house? Are you craving the zippy flavour of a citrus-forward strain or a lush, woodsy kind of smoke?
Before you set foot in a cannabis retailer, determine your goals.
Understand the “Budtender’s” Role
The “budtender” (a cutesy name for the person working the counter at a cannabis shop) is probably your go-to resource for questions and queries. Often knowledgeable in all things cannabis, budtenders have experience steering customers toward a strain that fits their purpose.
Tell the budtender your goals and ideal THC/CBD split, and they will point you toward suitable strains. Likewise, if you have a specific flavor profile in mind, mention it to the budtender.
Purchase Proper Storage Essentials
Before you hightail it out of the store, stash in hand, purchase proper storage essentials. Cannabis loses strength and flavor if exposed to open air and sunlight, so you want to keep it safely stored away. Buy an opaque storage container (a coffee can works in a pinch) and keep it somewhere dark. Then, the best way to store cannabis is with a two-way humidity control packet, which keeps the flower at an ideal relative humidity so it won’t spoil or dry out. If your cannabis store doesn’t carry humidity control packs, you can easily (and inexpensively) buy them online at the link above.
Buying cannabis isn’t intimidating once you get the hang of it. As long as you know a few key characteristics (THC, CBD and terpenes), personal goals and proper storage techniques, you can shop for cannabis the same way you shop for milk – totally in control.
