What does a high thc percentage mean?

In general, a “high THC level” is when a cannabis product has a concentration greater than 15%. However, whether or not a particular variety or product has “high levels of THC” is subjective and depends on the product, since some may consider 15% THC to be too low, while others may find it quite high. THC is perhaps the most well-known cannabinoid in cannabis. THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is famous for being responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Therefore, many cannabis users assume that a strain with a higher percentage of THC will always be more potent and have stronger psychoactive effects. But does more THC really mean stronger effects? In addition, more THC per inhalation means less smoke overall. Health-conscious consumers tend to prefer flowers that are high in THC because of their ability to produce powerful effects and, at the same time, limit the amount of potentially harmful smoke or vapor that is inhaled. The percentage of THC is often considered to be the potency or strength of a cannabis strain.

THC doesn't work like many other psychoactive substances. While it's natural to assume that a higher level of THC would lead to a higher level of deterioration, that's simply not the case. And since consumers have focused on the percentage of THC, specifically on the amount of THC in the flower, the industry is stuck in a cycle of producing flowers with high THC content, since that's what it sells. The way in which THC interacts synergistically with other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” may be as important as the THC content of a flower.

Not only does THC content have nothing to do with how “good” the herb is, as recent research conducted by the University of Colorado and published in JAMA Psychiatry found that THC content is also a poor indicator of potency. Studies that compared the performance of people who consumed cannabis strains with a low THC content with those of people who used cannabis strains with a higher THC content revealed that their level of deterioration was essentially the same. With flowers that are high in THC, more THC enters the bloodstream with each inhalation, making these effects appear faster and more ferociously. A cannabis strain with 30% THC will not have twice as many cognitive impairment effects as a cannabis strain with 15% THC, even though the 30% strain appears to be twice as strong.

The THC content doesn't really matter when all is said and done, because THC isn't solely responsible for creating the experience. Studies that use low doses of THC sometimes yield significant findings, and studies that use high amounts of THC sometimes report negligible findings. Some people prefer to enjoy a flower with a high THC content, which makes them vibrate quickly, while others prefer varieties with a low THC content that allow them to better enjoy everything cannabis has to offer. THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, and the percentage of THC in a flower is indicative of the amount of THC it contains per gram.

If you've tried varieties with a wide range of THC to CBD ratios, you've probably noticed that CBD tends to soften the effects of THC. The THC content is undoubtedly an important factor in how cannabis can make you feel, but cannabis is much more than just THC.

Kelli Prellwitz
Kelli Prellwitz

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