What is cannabis flower?
Flower is the dried and cured part of the cannabis plant that contains many of the plant's cannabinoids and terpenes.
It may be sold as whole buds, smaller pieces sometimes called smalls or popcorn, or pre-ground flower. It can be smoked in a joint, pipe, bong, or one-hitter, or heated in a dry-herb vaporizer.
Flower is one of the least processed forms of marijuana, but different flower products can still vary greatly in strength, aroma, flavor, freshness, price, and how they may feel.
Understanding the Label
What you may see on a flower package
Cannabis labels can contain unfamiliar numbers and terms. These are some of the most important things to look for.
THC percentage
THC is the main intoxicating or psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana. A higher percentage generally means more THC is present, but it does not tell you everything about how the flower may feel.
CBD percentage
CBD is another cannabinoid found in cannabis. Many marijuana flower products contain very little CBD, while some are intentionally grown to contain more.
Terpenes
Terpenes help create the flower's aroma and flavor. The types and amounts of terpenes may also influence the overall experience reported by some consumers.
Learn about TerpenesTotal terpenes
Some labels show the combined percentage of measured terpenes. This can help describe how terpene-rich a flower is, but the individual terpenes also matter.
Package weight
Flower is commonly sold by weight. You may see amounts such as one gram, 3.5 grams, 7 grams, 14 grams, or 28 grams.
Dates and testing
The package may list harvest, testing, packaging, or expiration dates. These dates can provide useful clues about the flower's age and freshness.
More Than One Number
Why the highest THC may not be the best choice
THC is important, but choosing flower only by the highest THC percentage can overlook other meaningful differences.
Terpene profile
Two flowers with similar THC percentages may contain very different terpenes and may be described differently by consumers.
Cannabinoid balance
CBD and other cannabinoids may change the overall balance of a flower, even when they appear in smaller amounts.
Freshness and condition
Flower that is overly dry, old, or poorly stored may have less aroma and may not provide the same experience as properly stored flower.
Price and value
A more expensive flower is not automatically better. Comparing the price per gram with the cannabinoid and terpene information can give you a clearer picture.
Common Flower Types
Whole flower, smalls, shake, and pre-rolls
These products may come from the same plant, but they are prepared and sold differently.
Whole flower
Whole flower usually contains larger, more complete buds. It is often the standard form people picture when they think of marijuana flower.
Smalls or popcorn
These are smaller buds from the plant. They may cost less than larger buds while still containing a similar cannabinoid and terpene profile.
Shake
Shake consists of small pieces of flower that collect after buds are handled. Quality can vary depending on what is included and how it was stored.
Pre-ground flower
Pre-ground flower has already been broken into smaller pieces. It can be convenient, but it may dry out faster because more of the flower is exposed to air.
Pre-rolls
Pre-rolls are ready-made joints filled with ground cannabis flower. Some may also contain concentrates, so always read the package carefully.
Infused flower
Infused flower or infused pre-rolls may have concentrates added to increase potency. These products can be much stronger than ordinary flower.
How Flower Is Used
Smoking and dry-herb vaporizing
Flower must usually be heated to activate and release many of its compounds.
Smoking
Flower may be smoked in a joint, pipe, bong, or one-hitter. Burning flower creates smoke that is inhaled.
Dry-herb vaporizing
A dry-herb vaporizer heats flower without intentionally burning it. This is different from using an oil-filled vape cartridge.
Start with a small amount
A small inhalation may be enough for a new or returning consumer. More can be used later, but an overly strong experience cannot be quickly reversed.
Give it time
Inhaled cannabis is often noticed relatively quickly. Wait before taking more so you can better judge how the product is affecting you.
Choosing Flower
Use the High at 60 Flower tools
You do not have to understand every number before using these tools.
Analyze one flower
Enter information from one product label and receive a plain-English explanation of its cannabinoid, terpene, potency, and value information.
Analyze a FlowerCompare flowers
Enter several products to compare their THC, CBD, terpenes, price, value, and likely profile differences side by side.
Compare FlowersHelp me choose
Choose what you are hoping to find, and High at 60 will explain which cannabinoid and terpene information may be worth looking for.
Help Me Choose