How to Distinguish High-Quality MJ from Low-Quality

When it comes to choosing quality MJ, there are several important factors to consider. Here’s a practical guide to help you identify the best product and avoid disappointment.

1. Was It Grown with Organic Fertilizers?

For some, this may not matter, but for true growers, it’s the number one priority. Not only do buds grown organically taste better than those grown with mineral fertilizers, but the effects and the “come down” are also much smoother. If your supplier isn’t aware of these nuances, maybe it’s time to consider growing your own.

2. Is It Properly Dried?

Well-dried buds will make a snapping sound when you break the stem. If the stem just bends or breaks without a snap, the weed is still wet and not ready for smoking. Another sign of good drying is an even, consistent burn when rolled. For grinding, use a grinder, which you can find in many specialty stores. A grinder will break down the herb to the perfect consistency for rolling. If your joint still burns unevenly, the weed may be under-dried or poorly cured, possibly retaining fertilizers—which is even worse. Never buy wet weed, as you’re paying for water weight that will eventually evaporate. Storing wet weed can also lead to mold. NEVER smoke moldy weed, as it can cause lung infections. Always inspect buds for mold, and don’t hesitate to use a microscope if needed.

Mold looks like a thin web covering the bud. Over-dried buds aren’t good either. If they’re so dry they crumble to powder, they’ll be harsh on your throat and lack flavor. You can rehydrate over-dried weed by placing a fresh lettuce leaf with it for about 12 hours; lettuce gives moisture without affecting the smell or taste.

3. Is It Properly Cured?

Curing is just as important as drying. Does your weed smell like freshly cut grass? If so, it’s not well-cured and is of lower quality. Properly cured weed has an incredibly rich, complex, and sweet aroma that’s hard to describe and unique in nature. You shouldn’t have to squeeze the buds to smell them—well-cured buds are aromatic on their own. Remember: proper curing is essential for potent and flavorful weed.

4. Are the Buds Whole or Ground Up?

This one’s simple. Grinding or crushing the weed reduces its potency. Cannabis is a delicate flower, and handling it roughly causes many trichomes (which contain THC) to fall off.

5. Does It Taste as Good as It Smells?

Many strains smell great but taste like regular smoke. However, some strains are as flavorful as they are aromatic—HP13 and Mothership are examples. Technically, you can check this by the taste of the second half of a joint. Most strains taste good at first, but by the second half, they start to taste like resin. Truly good weed keeps its flavor even when you’re down to the roach.

6. Is It Harsh on the Throat?

Don’t confuse this with a joint’s ability to make you cough—that’s actually a good sign. But if you taste a chemical bitterness or harshness that irritates your throat, it likely contains leftover fertilizers. Avoid such weed. If your joint crackles and sizzles, that’s another sign of the same problem. It’s better to skip it than to smoke fertilizers.

7. Do the Trichomes Look Cloudy or Shiny?

When buying weed, inspect it under good light. Do the crystals on the bud sparkle? If so, that’s a good sign. The glands that shine are the ones producing THC-rich oil—the good stuff! Many people mistakenly think the whitest weed is the most “crystally.” That’s not quite true. Those white hairs contain little THC. Look at a white bud in sunlight—it barely sparkles, meaning it’s low in THC. That’s why White Widow isn’t necessarily the best strain: lots of white hairs, but not many real crystals.

8. Does It Burn to Fine Gray Ash?

If so, that’s a good sign. Achieving this requires proper drying, curing, and storage. Many Amsterdam strains don’t meet this standard and aren’t considered the best for that reason.

9. Does It Actually Get You High?

It’s common to come across weed that looks great to the untrained eye but is actually poor quality. Most imported weed in the US falls into this category. (Note: this refers to imported weed—US growers produce and smoke excellent weed!)

Also, some strains don’t give you an uplifting high but rather a heavy, sedative effect. These are usually Indica strains, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

10. Smoke a Joint Rolled with Proper Paper

Cigarette paper is the best choice for serious smokers. It leaves no ash and is easy to find in cigar shops. Don’t use hemp paper, as it smells like cannabis. You can also use a vaporizer, or if you don’t have one, smoke through a clean glass pipe or bong. Make sure it’s clean! You can clean it with a cloth or brush and some alcohol or salt. Salt doesn’t dissolve oils but acts as an abrasive to help remove them from glass. Never try to taste cannabis with dirty equipment—you’ll lose at least half the flavor.

And the most important question: would you want to try what you just smoked again? Ultimately, that’s the main indicator. If you find a flavor you want to smoke over and over, stock up and enjoy!

If all smokers chose their weed based on these criteria, imagine how much better suppliers would have to become!