The Pottery Guide to Cannabis Flower

Today, there are more ways to enjoy cannabis than ever before. From edibles and capsules to oils and centrates, tinctures and creams to vape pods and hash, the choices are endless.

But what about the original, natural form of cannabis— the flower? With so many different ways to enjoy your cannabis, it’s worth taking a moment to focus on weed in its most natural form. What is cannabis flower, and how can you be sure you’re buying quality flower that will be the best fit for your unique needs?

Here’s everything you need to know about cannabis flower.

What is Cannabis Flower?

When you hear the word ‘flower,’ you probably picture images of bright flower petals splayed out in a symmetrical sunburst shape— like the daisies in your front garden. But cannabis flowers aren’t exactly flowers in the traditional sense of the word.

Cannabis flower, also known as bud, is the rich, densely packed part of the plant that contains the majority of what makes cannabis worth consuming. It’s here that you’ll find the cannabinoids like THC and CBD that give cannabis its effects, as well as the terpenes that give it its unique aromas and flavors.

While cannabis flower can look different depending on the strain and type of plant, they generally are greenish and/or brownish in color, sometimes with hints of purple, and look like densely packed little pods of goodness— which they are.

What Makes One Flower Different from Another?

We use cannabis to describe all of the products that come from the cannabis plant, but there’s actually significant variety in these plants and the flower they produce. In fact, there are currently over 700 strains of cannabis, each with its own distinct traits and benefits.

These different strains all result in flowers with different properties. These can range from differences in appearance to, more importantly, differences in THC or CBD content, terpene profiles, and type of high.

So, with all this variety, how do you know that you’re getting a quality cannabis flower when you purchase some for yourself?

What Does Quality Flower Look (and Smell) Like?

While the quality of a cannabis flower ultimately comes down to whether it gives you what you’re specifically looking for— the flavor/aroma profile, cannabinoid and terpene content, and type of high or wellness benefits you want— there are some general traits that can help you determine whether a flower is quality or not.

Let’s start with what quality flower looks like. While there’s no catch-all rule for how cannabis should look, subpar cannabis flower is usually mostly monochrome, with little variety in color from basic hues of green. Quality flower, on the other hand, tends to be loaded with color— greens, purples, oranges, and more. This is often a sign of higher trichome content, which is where cannabinoids and terpenes are richest.

You can also smell quality cannabis. It will feature a potent symphony of aromas that stand out from the rest. When ground up, quality cannabis should break apart easily without turning into dust. When burnt, its ashes should be white rather than black.

Measuring Flower Size & Weight

There are basic standards that are used within the cannabis industry for measuring cannabis, and understanding them will help you be more informed when buying cannabis buds for yourself.

Cannabis is usually measured in grams and ounces. It can be purchased by the gram, by the eighth ounce (often known simply as ‘an eighth’), quarter ounce, half ounce, and one full ounce.

In California, the most cannabis you can possess at any one time is 28.5 grams, which is roughly equivalent to one ounce. This refers to the weight of the cannabis flower itself, not counting packaging, rolling paper, or other peripheral materials.

Glass House Farms: An Example of Quality Cannabis Flower

Glass House Farms is one of our favorite examples of quality cannabis flower. This California-based grower has made a name for itself with a dedication to quality, sustainable growing methods, and innovation when it comes to creating the best strains available on the market.

With their greenhouse approach to growing, they’re able to capture and reuse all water runoff, harness the natural power of the coastal sun and prevent damaging insects without the use of pesticides.

Glass House Farms just unveiled their Grower’s Choice series of flowers, featuring three strains that represent the absolute pinnacle of quality in aroma, flavor, potency, quality of high, and overall experience.

You can experience the quality of Grower’s Choice flowers right now by shopping online at The Pottery. Get yours today and experience the highest level of cannabis flower quality for yourself. You can always ask our knowledgable budtenders for any additional questions you may have regarding cannabis flower!