5 Easy Tips for Selecting The Best Weed Strains

5 Easy Tips for Selecting The Best Weed Strains

Whether you’re new to cannabis or a cannabis connoisseur, selecting which strain to purchase can be daunting. Nobody wants to spend their money on weed only to find out that it doesn’t do much for them.

My first solo run to the dispensary lasted longer than it should have because I asked A THOUSAND QUESTIONS. So in an effort to save you (and your budtender time), here are 5 easy tips for selecting the best cannabis strains for you:

Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid? Know the difference

Most dispensaries will classify their strains as sativa, indica, or hybrid so having a basic understanding of the differences will take you a long way.

Sativa strains tend to be uplifting and provide an energetic or euphoric feeling. These strains are great for when you are doing activities like cleaning and exercising or when you’re socializing. 

Indica strains tend to contain more CBD which causes a relaxing effect. Indicas give you a body high and can be great when used for pain relief and relaxation. 

Hybrids are a mix of the two and can be a 50/50 split or lean one way or the other. These cannabis strains will have a combination of sativa and indica effects. These strains can be great for beginners because it gives you a little of both.

Personally, I’m a sativa or sativa-hybrid type of girl. I even smoke sativa strains for my insomnia!

Terpenes vs. THC

A good amount of people go to the dispensary looking for strains with the highest THC count thinking that it will get them the highest. WRONG! While THC percentage does play a role, the real winner here is finding the right mix of terpenes for your body.

Terpenes are what give weed (and all types of plants) its scent and flavor profile. Think of these as essential oils of the plant. Essential oils have different smells and benefits, just like terpenes. 

Research says there are 100+ terpenes found in cannabis but here are a few facts on 4 of the most commonly found:

Myrcene:

• Smell: Earthy, sweet and clove-like
• Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, pain relief
• Foods: Mangos, hops, lemongrass

Pinene:

• Smell: Pine, woods
• Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, focus, alertness, mental clarity
• Foods: Dill, Basil, Pine Nuts

Limonene:

• Smell: Citrus
• Benefits: Anti-depressant, mood elevator
• Foods: Lemon, Lime, Orange

Beta-Caryophyllene:

• Smell: Spice, pepper, woody
• Benefits: Reduces inflammation/pain
• Foods: Black pepper, dark leafy green herbs, oregano

Linalool:

• Smell: Floral
• Benefits: Anti-microbial, relaxing, stress relief
• Foods: Cinnamon, Lavender, Sage

To check the terpenes, ask your budtender for the certificate of analysis (COA). All licensed dispensaries should have a COA on their strains that will tell you what’s in it (including pesticides used).

If you’re not going the dispensary route, smelling your bud should give you an idea of what’s in it. 

Decide What Kind of High You Want

I consume cannabis for a variety of reasons; everything from anxiety and stress to insomnia and general socializing. Before hitting the dispensary, decide what kind of high you want. Do you want something for socializing or sleeping? Pain relief or just couch surfing? Spark creativity or calm your mind?

When you know what you want it’s easier to decide based on what effects the strains typically have.

Use an App

We know there’s an app for everything and cannabis consumption is no exception. Before I go to the dispensary, I ALWAYS check their menu and research strains that I want.

I love Leafly and Weedmaps for researching strains. In addition to giving you information on the effects of certain strains, you can also see what strains are available near you. 

Outside of those apps, I also use Hytiva.com and a quick Google search for strains that I can’t find on Leafly or Weedmaps.

Ask A Budtender

Last but certainly not least, ask a budtender at your favorite dispensary. They are full of knowledge and have usually tried the product or grower. I’ve gotten some of my best recommendations from budtenders so I highly recommend talking to them about what you’re looking for.

It’s also always good to let them know if you’re a beginner so they can recommend something that won’t knock you on your ass the first time 🙂 

Conclusion

Selecting strains can be stressful if you walk in unprepared. At the end of the day, you want to spend your hard-earned coins on something that will give you the high that you want. 

The great thing about weed is that each strain affects us differently so if you don’t pick a winner the first time, don’t give up! Try something else. Sometimes you’ll pick something that sucks, other times you’ll find something fire!

What other tips do you have for selecting strains?

Any hacks that help you pick fire every time? Leave a comment!