Knowledge around cannabis has grown exponentially in the era of legalization. However, a knowledge gap still exists between the industry and consumers. It’s a very steep learning curve, and people often struggle to understand all of the nuances of the cannabis plant and its many, many finished products on the market. One of the biggest misconceptions in the space centers on pot potency.
There have already been plenty of arguments to be made that potency is not an indicator of quality, but what if the potency numbers you see don’t actually equate with the effects you experience? People may assume that eating a gummy with 5 mg of THC will offer the same high regardless of which brand they buy. But that’s not always the case.
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Products like edibles, vape pens, and dabs contain cannabis extract. There are many different types of extracts and manufacturing methods, and this source material can significantly influence how a product makes you feel.
For example, most edibles are made from either distillate or rosin. Distillate THC is a refined product where they remove all of the other active compounds and ingredients from the cannabis plant, leaving straight THC. Rosin, on the other hand, is a more complete expression of the cannabis plant. Because the rosin is a combination of ingredients, including aromatic terpenes, it will likely have a different effect than distillate.
Terpenes specifically have garnered significant attention since they have been found to significantly impact a person’s overall experience with cannabis. Does a certain cannabis strain make you energized or sleepy? Research indicates it may not just be the THC doing that—it could be the terpenes.
The entourage effect plays a major role here. It’s the theory that all parts of the cannabis plant work together synergistically to determine effects. If you remove the unique components, as is the case with distillate, you may not achieve the same outcome as a product with whole plant extract.
This is why it’s possible for a 5 mg gummy containing rosin to make you feel higher than one with 5 mg of distillate THC. It can be perplexing for consumers, since they’re likely to expect consistent dosing across the market. After all, 200 mg of Ibuprofen should offer the same relief whether you’re buying Advil or the drugstore brand.
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The same theory can be applied to vape pens, another popular way to consume cannabis. Many people assume that a cartridge with 90 percent THC will make them higher than one with 75 percent. But if the cart with 90 percent THC uses distillate and the 75 percent has rosin, the product with technically lower potency may actually offer more profound effects.
Again, the concept can be confusing. The question has to be asked: What will it take for dispensary shoppers to understand that potency numbers are not always indicative of experience?
Packaging may need to offer more information. Bud tenders also need to do a better job of educating the consumer, letting them know that if they’re deciding between a distillate product and a rosin product, they may hit different. And consumers should get in the habit of asking about the source material used prior to purchase.
Hopefully, the cannabis market will one day clear up its messaging around potency – and consumers will understand the significant role source material plays in their overall experience. Until then, it’s another piece of esoteric weed knowledge working its way to the masses.
