{"id":38148,"date":"2025-03-17T06:00:51","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T10:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=38148"},"modified":"2026-04-08T09:40:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:40:06","slug":"appreciating-low-thc-strains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/appreciating-low-thc-strains\/","title":{"rendered":"Appreciating Low-THC Strains"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you choose your cannabis strains based on THC content alone, you\u2019re probably missing out. While an important indicator of a strain or product\u2019s potency, the concentration of the psychedelic compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is not the sole indicator of the quality of the overall experience delivered by cannabis consumption. Yet, many cannabis enthusiasts regularly seek out strains with the <\/span>highest THC content<\/span><\/a> they can get for their dollar, ignoring the other cannabis compounds present in the versatile buds that are also important contributors in generating the pleasurable and therapeutic effects of cannabis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re here to help consumers make more informed decisions regarding THC strain potency, so this article is meant to act as a guide to tips on what other factors and compounds are important to a great cannabis experience, providing information on the other critical compounds, besides THC, that make a strain and the effects it produces stand out. This guide will also spotlight several lower-level THC strains that you may want to try for yourself instead of going for another heavy hitter on your next trip to the dispensary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Basics: What is THC Potency?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The most researched and most famous cannabinoid found in the <\/span>Cannabis sativa <\/span><\/i>plant is <\/span>delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span><\/a> (THC). This compound, known as THC, is largely responsible for the characteristic psychoactive, intoxicating, or \u201chigh\u201d feelings most commonly associated with cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Potency (e.g., concentration or strength) is a measurement of the amount of THC contained in a given cannabis product. This measurement is often expressed as a percentage, indicating how much of the product\u2019s weight is made up of THC in milligrams per gram (mg\/g for flower) or volume in milligrams per milliliter (mg\/mL for oils, tinctures, and concentrates). For example, cannabis flower displaying a 20% THC potency would contain approximately 200 milligrams of THC per gram of dried flower. THC levels are determined by putting a random sample through laboratory tests using methods like gas or liquid chromatography to get an average potency estimate for the whole batch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dry flower generally contains a <\/span>high level of THC<\/span><\/a> when its potency exceeds 15%-20%. Other products, like concentrates, can be significantly stronger and are considered high potency at strengths exceeding 60% THC. However, as we will elaborate on in this article, high-THC products aren\u2019t necessarily superior in quality or effects, as factors like terpene profiles, a consumer\u2019s biology, and the entourage effect also influence the overall experience offered by a cannabis product.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not Your Grandma\u2019s Weed<\/b><\/h2>\n

Regarding today\u2019s legal cannabis market, <\/span>many users and researchers<\/span><\/a> are coming to a similar conclusion: the weed is too damn strong. Over the past several decades, the average THC levels found in both regulated and unregulated cannabis flowers have risen significantly due to advancements in cultivation techniques and selective breeding, along with consumer demand for growers to create more potent products at lower prices. THC potency in dried cannabis flower has increased from an <\/span>average of 3% in the 1980s<\/span><\/a> to <\/span>levels over 15% <\/span><\/a>in our current decade, with some modern strains containing an average THC potency as high as 30%.<\/span><\/p>\n

This increase has raised concerns about <\/span>potential risks<\/span><\/a> associated with excessive THC consumption, particularly for inexperienced or younger users, as well as for individuals with a predisposition for psychiatric conditions that increase the likelihood of adverse effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Negative Effects of High-THC Weed\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Many assume that the THC percentage of a strain of cannabis acts the same as the ABV (alcohol by volume) percentage of a wine, beer, or liquor. But with cannabis, this is not the case. A higher THC level in your weed is not necessarily going to get you \u201cmore high\u201d than a strain with lower THC content. Plus, higher THC levels in weed are detrimental to your tolerance for cannabis products in general.<\/span><\/p>\n

While THC provides certain therapeutic effects, the cannabinoid can also produce unpleasant or even harmful effects when consumed in excess. The likelihood and intensity of these effects can be potentially greater at higher levels of THC strength. Negative side effects of THC include:<\/span><\/p>\n