That Number on the Label Isn’t Telling You the Whole Story
You’re standing at the dispensary counter comparing two jars of flower. One says 18% THC. The other says 29% THC. The 29% costs more. Obviously that’s the better product, right?
Not so fast. The cannabis industry has convinced everyone that THC percentage equals quality and potency. Dispensary menus sort by THC content. Customers chase the highest numbers. Growers breed specifically for inflated percentages.
Here’s what actually happens: that 29% flower might hit softer than the 18% jar. You might enjoy it less. You might wonder why you paid extra for a worse experience. THC percentage matters, but nowhere near as much as you’ve been told.
What THC Percentage Actually Measures
THC percentage tells you the concentration of delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol in a cannabis product by weight. A gram of 20% THC flower contains roughly 200mg of THC.
Labs test samples from each batch and print the results on packaging. Seems straightforward. The problem is what this number leaves out.
THC percentage doesn’t measure how the high feels. Doesn’t account for other cannabinoids affecting your experience. Doesn’t factor in terpenes that modify and enhance effects. Doesn’t predict whether you’ll actually enjoy the product.
Judging cannabis by THC percentage alone is like judging coffee by caffeine content alone. A cheap energy drink has more caffeine than artisan espresso. Nobody argues the energy drink provides a better coffee experience.
Why Higher THC Doesn’t Always Mean Stronger Effects
Your body processes cannabis through complex interactions between dozens of compounds. Scientists call this the entourage effect, and it explains why THC percentage fails as a quality predictor.
Terpenes modify your high. Myrcene creates sedation. Limonene lifts mood. Pinene promotes alertness. Two strains with identical THC percentages can produce completely different experiences based on terpene profiles.
Other cannabinoids contribute. CBD, CBG, CBN, and minor cannabinoids all interact with THC and with each other. A strain with 18% THC and 2% CBG might feel more potent than a 25% THC strain with no other cannabinoids present.
Your endocannabinoid system is unique. Genetics, tolerance, recent food intake, mood, and environment all affect how cannabis hits you. The same product affects different people differently.
Walk into Cana and ask budtenders which products they personally enjoy. Many will name strains well below the top THC percentages on the menu.
The Lab Testing Problem Nobody Talks About
THC percentages on labels aren’t always accurate. The testing system has real problems.
Lab shopping exists. Cultivators can submit samples to multiple labs and use whichever result comes back highest. Some labs develop reputations for generous numbers, earning more business from growers chasing percentages.
Sample selection matters. The bud sent to the lab might not represent the whole batch. Top colas test higher than lower branches. A carefully selected sample can inflate results.
Degradation happens. THC converts to CBN over time, especially with heat and light exposure. The product you buy might test lower than the label claims by the time you consume it.
Testing protocols vary. Different labs use different methods. Results fluctuate between facilities testing identical samples.
None of this means testing is worthless. It provides useful information and ensures products meet safety standards. Just don’t treat the THC number as gospel.
What Actually Predicts a Good High
Experienced cannabis users focus on factors beyond THC percentage when selecting products.
Terpene profile: Check the terpene breakdown if available. High myrcene suggests relaxation. High limonene suggests energy and mood lift. High caryophyllene suggests potential pain relief. Terpenes often predict effects better than cannabinoid percentages.
Grow quality: How the plant was cultivated matters enormously. Proper drying and curing preserves terpenes and cannabinoids. Rushed processing degrades the final product regardless of genetics.
Freshness: Cannabis quality deteriorates over time. Recently harvested and packaged flower typically smokes better than product sitting on shelves for months.
Strain genetics: Some strains consistently deliver specific effects because of their genetic cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Knowing strain characteristics helps predict experience.
Personal history: Pay attention to what works for you specifically. Keep mental notes on strains and products you enjoy versus those that disappoint.
The Price Markup on High THC Products
Dispensaries charge premium prices for high THC products because customers demand them. Simple supply and demand. But are you getting extra value?
Often, no. That $60 eighth of 30% flower might contain harsh, poorly cured cannabis that happens to test high. Meanwhile, the $45 eighth at 22% might be smooth, flavorful, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The smart approach: Ignore THC percentage as a primary filter. Look at terpenes, read reviews, ask budtenders about personal favorites, and sample different price points.
Browse the flower selection at Cana with fresh eyes. Sort by something other than THC. You might discover amazing products you’ve been overlooking.
When THC Percentage Actually Matters
THC percentage isn’t useless information. Some situations call for paying attention to it.
Dosing edibles: With edibles, THC milligrams directly determine intensity. A 10mg gummy will hit harder than a 5mg gummy, all else equal. Percentage matters when calculating consumption.
Concentrates: Higher THC concentrates deliver more cannabinoids per dab. When you’re paying premium prices for concentrates, potency affects value.
Tolerance management: If you’re intentionally seeking lower potency for moderation purposes, THC percentage helps identify milder options.
Medical dosing: Patients requiring specific THC amounts for symptom management need accurate potency information.
For casual recreational flower purchases? THC percentage deserves a glance, not a fixation.
Why the Industry Pushes High THC
Follow the money. High THC flower commands higher prices. Cultivators breeding for maximum THC percentages get paid more per pound. Testing labs producing higher numbers attract more clients. Dispensaries highlighting top shelf THC products boost revenue.
Nobody profits from educating customers that terpenes matter more. No marketing budget exists for promoting moderate THC strains with exceptional flavor profiles.
The result: An entire industry optimized around a single metric that poorly predicts consumer satisfaction. Strains get selected for THC production, sometimes sacrificing the terpenes and minor cannabinoids that create enjoyable experiences.
You don’t have to play this game. Informed customers who judge products on actual quality rather than label numbers get better experiences for less money.
Terpenes: What You Should Actually Be Reading
Instead of sorting by THC, learn to read terpene profiles. Most quality products now include terpene breakdowns on packaging or online menus.
Myrcene: The most common cannabis terpene. Creates relaxation, sedation, and the classic couch lock feeling. High myrcene strains work well for evening use and sleep.
Limonene: Citrusy, bright, mood elevating. Strains high in limonene tend to feel energetic and uplifting. Good for daytime use and social situations.
Caryophyllene: Spicy, peppery. The only terpene that also acts as a cannabinoid, binding directly to CB2 receptors. Associated with stress relief and potential anti inflammatory effects.
Pinene: Smells like pine forests. Promotes alertness and memory retention. Can counteract some of THC’s cognitive effects.
Linalool: Floral, lavender notes. Calming and potentially anxiety reducing. Common in strains recommended for relaxation.
Ask your budtender at Cana’s Sylmar location to explain terpene profiles on products you’re considering. Most are happy to geek out about this stuff.
The Experiment That Changed How I Recommend Products
Here’s something budtenders see constantly. Customer comes in demanding the highest THC on the menu. Pays top dollar. Returns a week later saying it was just okay.
Same customer gets talked into trying a 19% strain with a killer terpene profile. Comes back raving about it. Becomes a regular buyer of that product.
The best approach for finding products you love? Buy a few different options across THC ranges. Same budget, variety of percentages. Smoke them over a week or two and honestly evaluate which ones you enjoy most.
Most people discover their favorites don’t correlate with THC content. Some do genuinely prefer high THC flower, and that’s valid. But you can’t know until you actually compare experiences rather than label numbers.
What to Ask Instead of What’s Your Highest THC
Next time you’re at a dispensary, try these questions:
“What’s the most flavorful strain you have right now?”
“Which flower has the best terpene profile for relaxation?”
“What’s your personal favorite on the menu regardless of THC?”
“Do you have anything with high myrcene for sleep?”
“What’s underrated on the menu that people overlook?”
These questions lead to better recommendations than asking for maximum THC. Budtenders get excited when customers care about quality beyond percentages.
How to Actually Read Cannabis Labels
Here’s what to look for on packaging:
Harvest date or package date: Fresher is generally better. Avoid products sitting around for many months.
Total cannabinoids: Look at the full picture, not just THC. Products with diverse cannabinoid profiles often provide richer experiences.
Terpene content: Total terpene percentage and specific terpene breakdown. Higher total terpenes usually means more flavor and enhanced effects.
Cultivator or brand: Learn which growers produce quality you enjoy. Consistency matters.
Strain name: Research strains you try. Note which genetics work for you.
Stop Chasing Numbers and Start Chasing Quality
THC percentage provides one data point among many. Treating it as the primary measure of cannabis quality leads to overpaying for products you might not even enjoy.
The best cannabis experience comes from quality cultivation, proper curing, fresh product, preserved terpenes, and genetics that match your preferences. None of that shows up in the THC number.
Try something different next time you shop. Pick a strain based on terpene profile instead of THC. Ask for budtender favorites instead of top percentages. Sample across price points and potencies.
Check out the full menu at Cana and look past the THC column. Stop by the Sylmar shop or use delivery anywhere in the LA area including Pacoima and Santa Clarita.
The highest number on the menu isn’t the best product on the menu. Once you experience that firsthand, you’ll never shop the same way again.