It’s been five years since cannabis was fully legalized in California, and, for dispensary owners, one thing is clear: Californians like to get really, really high.
When celebrants descend on Dolores Park and other spots in the city today for 4/20, most will be smoking varieties bred to be high in THC — that is, tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in marijuana — that can be purchased in identical packaging at almost any dispensary, dispensary owners say.
“High THC percentages is what moves the needle,” said Jose Carmona, a marijuana buyer for Medithrive dispensary, on Mission Street between 15th and 16th streets. To Carmona, the new generation of weed users are like high-school drinkers: Unsophisticated and laser-focused on getting blitzed.
“You don’t go into a liquor store and say, ‘Give me a bottle of Everclear,’” said Carmona. “But cannabis is still so new, being on the legal market. People are rushing to try new things.”
As a wholesale buyer, Carmona has access to sales data showing different strains of marijuana sold in 250 dispensaries across the state. A subscription with BDSA, a market research firm covering the cannabis industry, gives him an inside look at statewide and national trends.
Back in 2019, the average THC percentage was in the low-to-mid 20s, Carmona said. Over the next two years, it became common practice to get north of 26 percent. And then north of 30 percent. Now, the maximum sits at around 45 percent. And that’s just for flower. Pre-rolls can be infused with even more THC, with some varieties testing at around 60 percent.
Al Shawa, the owner of Mission Cannabis club, located on Mission between 20th and 21st streets, said his favorite strain, Forbidden Fruit, is no longer grown because its THC percentage is just too low, at 17 or 18 percent.
Mission Cannabis Club carries 53 kinds of flower and 117 pre-rolls. None of their flower strains contains less than 20 percent THC, and just one of their pre-roll options does. Of the 108 strains of flower and 101 pre-rolls sold at Medithrive, just one strain of flower and four pre-roll options have under 20 percent THC.
“It’s a shame that it became like that, and that’s the only thing that people look for,” said Shawa.
Most buyers are looking for more than 30 percent THC, according to Joseph Hunt, the owner of Union Station, located on Mission Street between 16th and 17th streets. But it’s unclear whether this even leads to a more intense, or more enjoyable, high.
“That’s the perception,” said Mischa Breyburg, the owner of MediThrive. “Whether it’s real or not, I don’t know.”
Several owners and workers at dispensaries across the Mission lamented the fact that their shops have become more like convenience stores than the apothecaries of the pre-legalization era: Big brands dominate, there are standardized offerings across stores, and customers are interested in the most artificial products.
“It’s amazing how quickly it evolved to having pretty much the same thing everywhere,” said Breyburg.
If weed is chocolate and THC is sugar, weed used to be dark chocolate, and now it’s a Snickers bar.
“The community became an industry,” Breyburg added. He opened his dispensary in 2009, when marijuana was medicinal only, and has witnessed its post-legalization evolution. As cannabis brands struggle to compete in a saturated market, he said, breeders differentiate themselves by making their products stronger.
Carmona, for his part, believes that lower THC strains will eventually make a comeback, a parallel to the recent interest in craft beers or natural foods.
Already, some dispensaries bucking the trend: Poncho Brotherz, on Cesar Chavez between Bryant and York, is run by three brothers and their parents. The family owns a farm up in Humboldt where one of the brothers, Isaac Tapia, grows weed for the dispensary.
“For the most part, our strains don’t have high THC,” said Tapia, adding that they test between 12 and 27 percent.
“There’s a lot lost to people looking at the THC percentage,” he added. “I prefer to let my nose tell me, let my high tell me.”
The store, which is temporarily closed due to a robbery, sells just eight strains, in both flower and pre-rolls, and no edibles (though they’re looking into getting a license to bake their own vegan cinnamon rolls and banana bread).
“No one has been as daring as us,” said Isaiah Tapia, the brother in charge of operating the Mission storefront, of their focus on only selling sun-grown marijuana. “People told us, ‘It’s not gonna work, you’re going to need to sell other people’s stuff.’ But we’re not easily persuaded, and we’re not trying to fit in.”
For his part, Shawa, the owner of Mission Cannabis Club, would like to see more shops trying what Poncho Brotherz has. He believes that there isn’t much room to continue increasing the percentage of THC in cannabis.
“I think we maximized everything,” he said. “I would love to see a return to simplicity.”
But it’s a change he does not feel he could make on his own.
“I can’t stop selling those products, because that’s what’s done, that’s what’s out there.”
Owners attributed the fixation on THC also to a lack of education about how to identify good cannabis.
“It’s a lot like wine,” said Shawa, of evaluating the quality of weed. “It’s smell, it’s color. People just don’t know enough to make an educated decision.”
If I sold you whiskey that was 1.5% alcohol, how many shots of that would you have to drink per night?
I want to take five hits of weed from a bowl per night, and feel high the whole time, and have it taste good and cost not a lot.
End of story
I prefer a CBD/THC strain that has a good flavor and a nice mellow high.This idea of 30+ THC is ridiculous.Just give me some Blueberry or Blue Dream and I’m happy.
Not true. Total falsehood. I have yet to be enlightened, as I once was by the True Prophet. Cannabis once transcended my spirit to great truth but now it just hovers above mediocrity. They regulated the truth out of Cannabis.
It’s ok because it’s medicinal.
Where can I get this high THC weed I live in Arizona Yuma Arizona can you ship this weed to me
How can I get this high THC flower
Please start educating high THC users on the dangers of THC induced psychosis — it’s real and causing tons of ER visits and hospitalizations.
Absolutely correct, and the higher the THC level the worse things get.
I can see a “newbie” freaking out the first time they try a strong strain or concentrate but ‘hospitalization’ is ridiculous for a high that lasts what; an hour or so? The initial rush that scares newbies lasts 20 minutes at best. I really don’t like the bs that the medical industry is putting out there. WE are the experts, Doctors so called expert opinions are how it was prohibited for so long and so many people imprisoned, fined, children taken away, etc. Propoganda to get a piece of the multi-billion $ pie.
Per Rolling Stone magazine (article circa 2018) almost no one is in jail for simple possession. The ‘mass incarceration’ trope for marijuana users is a fabrication.
Do you think that this will change the laws about drinking and smoking like how you have to be under 5 units of Delta 9?
I am glad this came up. High THC caused out of body experiences for me and I can understand how it can cause psychosis. To satisfy my curiosity I had to try it, everyone is a little different tho… agree with the sun grown concept and supporting local, responsible farmers. Sativa is also high on my list. In the past I used concentrates to make edibles and alcohol-based drinks with a wide spectrum of results: good hash will suffice.The oils and butane varieties can cause serious gastric efforts perhaps even cancer, I don’t wish it on anyone. My take on the smoking, perhaps just one or two hits of the good stuff can be better health wise than smoking a whole joint. Also, the 60s trick of holding in smoke is no longer needed based on my research. Hope this helps.
Now to my rant – the CBD. It’s total bogus if you ask me and a German documentary confirms it. It can be severely addicting with bad withdrawal symptoms. If you use it to kill pain you would be taking so large doses you would sleep all day. In small doses it’s a good mood enhancer especially if you want to treat your weed addiction cold turkey. Please let’s think about this, go back to basics: Sun grown weed, peace and a gentle high. Also: google violence and marijuana – you will be surprised. HtH
Can’t wait till it’s legal in all 50 states …it could help the economy and canser patients as well
I don’t drink and have been smoking weed for 50 years. I grow my own hydroponically. I choose strains between 18 and 25 percent THC. I just want a smooth smoke with a nice calm high. The stronger the strain the less I smoke. Usually just one joint per day. It costs very little and causes no health concerns. Keep it simple people.
Do you make butter, brownies or gummies with it? I really liked hydroponic.
You’re a smart man. I wish I knew how to grow it. I have PTSS. It helps me, but don’t live in a state where I can buy it. When I visit my best friend in Chattanooga, TN. I buy some & bring home. I mentioned to my doctor that it helps me. He did not like the idea of people smoking weed. It’s a shame for us people that it helps can not buy it.I’m 72 years old. The Cannabis I have smoke is different in a good way than what I smoke back in the 70s & 80s.
Marijuana’s not “fully ” legal in California.
It’s actually still illegal everywhere.
Of THC cannabis Bud chronic whatever you want to call it but I’ve been really excited about experimenting with concentrated THC liquid drops they’re pretty awesome I’ve been smoking since the kid about 14 I’m 46 now so I’ve been smoking for quite some time and I like the liquid THC just due to the fact that you can get as high as you want to or as little as you want to and no one will know the difference but the problem for myself is finding dispensaries that carry special products like that I’m looking for sativa 100% cannabis with 2% CBD but I prefer the cat the sativa the ending is good but it makes you tired sativa is more active brand and that’s what I’m looking for if anyone knows any areas in the Stockton Lodi California area please give me an email edwardsanchez18940402@gmail.com
I’m a 78 year old Army veteran with TBI and Advanced Circadian Rhythm. I need a grade of THC by name that will help me to return to a normal sleep routine. I don’t need to eat, laugh, or socialize. What do you need to suggest?
I’m from the Humboldt area myself and now live in Michigan. Everything matters THC, THCA, TURPINS, CBD, everything counts. You have to know your body and what strain works best for you. I’ve been a smoker for 37 years and I don’t smoke flower anymore. With flower you can only get a max of 83% THC (that’s nothing for someone like me) but I vape now. My sativa carts are 98.83%THC and my indica cart’s are 93.69%THC so from a cost aspect it’s much more efficient.
When vape doesn’t work I use concentrate. The best is THCA, it’s almost 100% THCA. Wax, Live Resin, shatter and sauce are all concentrates that have no activation time (instantaneously) if you’re new to these things let me remind you to go slow at first until you get the hang of things.
I suggest that interested folks come to Moe Green’s next Friday (the 28th) between 2-7.
We have been hosting an event called “Meet the Farmers”.
Meet the real farmers from Mendocino County who’s award winning craft cannabis is showcased.
We don’t approve of Kirkland Kannabis or Walmart Weed.
The COAs that say 45% are from labs that cheat to get a better market share.
Come to meet the farmers who get their hands dirty and work with the genetics to shape the terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
See you there.
I hear all this about CBD helps with pain ….I think it’s marketing bs …I feel no less pain no matter what amount of CBD I consume. Maybe it works for some but for me it does nothing
Exactly. You need at least 5%THC with the CBD. Oil is best. I’d rather smoke sativa bc it’s not a downer and white maeng da kratom works well but it’s highly addictive and if you take too much, you’ll be so sleepy but pain free. Good luck.
I am 60 yrs and have fought 30 yrs for medical and then recreational I come for a long line of alcohol drinkers mother father grandparents Out of 11 children Iam the only one doesn’t have a drinking problem because Cannabis has always been my drug of choice Was injured in a car accident in 2005 and was put on paint cars for 15 years and I used medical cannabis to get off of them cannabis is wonderful for many many health benefits Thankful that many of us Americans have a Better choice for Health & Recreation Now Legalization must come at the federal level to end this terrible Prohibition that has been destructful to the American people for almost 90 yrs Now have a better choice instead of crack and heroin and meth and alcohol etc …
I am so glad to learn about this shop on Cesar Chavez that sells sun-grown weed — Poncho Brotherz, (between Bryant and York)! Back in the 90’s I lived in Southern Humboldt. My friends & I grew weed outdoors in the sun, and our weed always tasted and smelled better than the weed grown indoors under lights. The high was nicer, too. Back then growing weed indoors meant having to spray your plants to prevent spider mite infestations, and other problems that came from growing in an enclosed space. ALSO, sun-grown is environmentally responsible – we used the sun! I hope that becomes a marketing point, and people start asking for that…
Speaking from a buyers standpoint, if you get your supply mostly online like me the only solid data is the coa and using it to determine what to expect physcoactively speaking is not easy so thc percentages are the best indicator.
First thing I look at on the label is terpines specifically myclene humaline and limoline them day of packing and then finally thc-cbd-cbn ratios.
Legalization sucks. They took all the fun out of it.
Fun fact: prop 64 failed to pass in each and every rural precinct in Northern CA.
They sure did took all the fun out of getting pot. And some of the supposedly had THC, it ain’t that good this new designer weed, I like the old we that I could smoke back in the 70s. I don’t care what anybody says the best weed that I have smoked in the whole world is from Vietnam. Didn’t know the THC content but back in 19 67. The Vietnam war I stayed high, and I went back just to smoke the weed. And I don’t care how high your THC is in your 2040 whatever you call it. Can’t hold a candle to that we in Vietnam.
You are sooooo wrong.
Hard agree with the points raised in this article. I am tired of the vast majority of weed being available being so so high in THC percentage at the expense of all else.
It feels as if stores are full of shelves and shelves of Everclear when I would prefer a beer or a nice glass of wine.
The number of dispensaries is increasing and there is an oversupply of product. Tough times; some in the business have really taken a hit. But competition requires anticipating the needs and tastes of the customers. Marketing a more attractive product (special flavors, increased potency) is to be expected. Think of Juul, for example, and the effort it made to increase its market share.
But this will all shake out in the end. I’m waiting for the great credit card offers from cannabis businesses.
I’ve started to look for lower THC concentration vape cartridges over the past few years at Medithrive. Interestingly, the weaker sauce is often slightly more expensive than the more powerful formulations.
The cartridges are a rip-off and subpar in my book. The best is to get a high-end, adjustable temp vape you can load yourself and heat full melt bubble hash.
You can tell little about quality with an oil, but bubble hash you can. Plus, it’s reliably pure.
Does this apply to therapeutic marijuana as well? So there’s no way avoiding high THC levels if I’m looking to build an appetite or relax some muscle that’s causing pain? Asking for a friend.
There’s lots to choose from for getting a high. Meanwhile I 10x experimented with different choices for over a year before my back surgery than afterwards settled on 4-10 mg THC ( as needed) indica gummies from purple anti inflammatory strains as best replacement for narcotics Rx. Hope that helps anyone looking for help. For example now I use marionberry indica enhanced gummies from wyldcanna dot com with 5 mg THC per serving(1/2 gummy)
I use a non-psychoactive cannabis spray for pain.
For pain, you want CBD, not THC. I use sublingual CBD for arthritis.