Buying Good Weed: How to Find Quality Bud | Strains & Products

Many of us probably have memories of buying weed from a sketchy apartment complex where all we wanted to do was get the bud and get out. The weed would be brown, dry, and falling apart. We didn't care what it looked like and didn't have any other choice. Luckily, times are changing and more and more states are becoming legal (we're still jealous of you, Canada). With dispensaries popping up every day, our options for weed are growing at an insane rate. So how do we make sure we're buying the best bud at the right price?

At Where's Weed we're here to alleviate your stress to help you find the best bud possible. Consider this the only guide you'll ever need for finding good weed. Here we'll tell you how to weed out the bad stuff, what to look for in good bud, what to ask a budtender, and where to find the good weed so you can get smoking!

How to Tell What's Bad Weed

First, we think it's important to start off with what you DON'T want when purchasing marijuana. A good rule of thumb - if it looks like that dead plant you killed months ago and forgot about in your living room, don't buy it. In other words, if it's a brown color with loose and dry leaves, it's not going to do you any good. You'll also want to avoid seeds and stems at all costs - these do nothing to help your high! It also won't have a strong aroma but might smell earthy and dry. Bad weed typically produces a lazy, sleepy high and might even induce headaches.

What Does Good Weed Look Like?

Now that you know what to avoid when buying weed, you're ready to look for the good stuff. Good weed is typically categorized in two ways - "mids" and "top-shelf" (fun fact - this is quite literally how they are presented on the shelves at most dispensaries!). We'll break it down by each type to give you a better understanding of the two.

Mids

When you don't want to break the budget but want to get a good high, mids are the go-to bud. Typically, mids are shades of light to rich green, often with colorful hairs (scientifically called pistils). The bud will feel sticky, though it should be a bit dry as well. You'll also notice a fresh, strong marijuana smell that is absent in bad weed.

Top-Shelf

If you're looking to splurge or want the best quality weed possible, no doubt you should go for top-shelf. One of the first things you'll notice is a pungent, fresh aroma coming from the plant - the stronger the better. It will also have a sticky coat of white resin all over the plant. This is from an abundance of trichomes that contain cannabinoids and terpenes that contribute to the flavor, smell, and high experience. You'll also see colored pistils all over with the color ranging from oranges to purple, varying by strain.

Different Weed Strains

Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrids

Now that you know how to spot good weed, let's dig into some specifics on strains of weed and how they can change your high. First, there are two primary strains - indica and sativa. Indica (sometimes referred to as "in da couch") is known for its relaxing body high often used for nighttime consumption. Sativa often produces a happy, social high perfect for smoking with friends. Hybrids are created by mixing both indica and sativa genes and have a combination of effects from the parent plants.

THC vs. CBD

We won't try and get too into the science, but there are two primary compounds present in cannabis, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is a psychoactive compound that creates the "high", while CBD relaxes the body and improves mood.

Bottom line: indica strains tend to have more CBD present, thus creating a body and relaxed high. Sativa typically has more THC, lending to the upbeat, "silly" high.

Ready to Buy Weed?

So now that you've read all of the above, you're a total expert! Just kidding. Although we smoke a lot of weed here at Where's Weed, we still love to listen to the advice of our favorite budtenders. These are the lovely people behind the counter at cannabis dispensaries, and we like to think of them as the sommeliers of weed.

Know Before You Go

But before you get ready to head to your local dispensary, it would be helpful to have an idea of what you're looking for. Do you want to be productive, laugh with friends, and be more energized? Be prepared to ask about their sativa. If you want to relax, go for an indica. And if you want a little bit of both, see what hybrid strains they have!

Ask Your Budtender Questions!

Now that you have a better idea of what you want, it's important to go into the dispensary with questions ready for a budtender. Here are a few to start you off on the right path:

I'm looking for (indica/sativa/hybrid) (mids or top shelf) - what do you have fresh?

Although weed doesn't necessarily have an expiration date, the potency does degrade over time. Getting newly delivered weed is important for the best high possible.

Do you have any specials or unique hybrids?

This lets the budtender show off what's unique to this dispensary! And sometimes they have deals on certain varieties.

What local strains do you have?

We love shopping locally to support farmers and they often make great small-batch strains!

Go Forth and Smoke!

Now, all that's left to do is check out Where's Weed to find the nearest dispensary! Check out reviews, learn about their products, and get an idea of their vibe. Each dispensary is unique and it helps to go to one that makes you feel comfortable so you can get the best product. Now all you have to do is grab your bud, your favorite method of smoking, and toke up!

Do you have any other tips on finding good bud? Let us know in the comments below!