Dry flower is the most traditional way to enjoy cannabis, and it’s still the most popular. Even as cannabis concentrates , edibles and topicals become more sought after, people are still most likely to purchase the flower itself.
Cannabis flower can be smoked or cooked with, and all of the buds you’ll find in dispensaries come from female cannabis plants. Flower comes in three main strain types, sativa known as an energy strain, Indica known as a relaxing strain, and hybrid which are balanced strains.
Cannabis Flower Quality
Cannabis is known for being resilient, which is why so many people call it “weed.” It does grow like a weed in some parts of the world where conditions are just right, but the best cannabis flower has been carefully cultivated and treated with great attention to detail. Every batch of cannabis flower, even when grown from the same strain, is different. People generally lump flower into one of three categories.
1 – Private Reserve/ Top Shelf Cannabis
Coined the best of the best. Premium cannabis usually is extremely sticky to the touch, plus it will look and smell delicious. Some cannabis dispensaries grow their own strains or, like at Bad Gramm3r, we work with the best cannabis growers in Alaska to source their product. The difference isn’t all cosmetic, either– the best cannabis strains will offer much higher levels of THC.
2 – Middle Shelf Cannabis
The cannabis industry has grown by leaps and bounds since it became legal. Accordingly, the benchmarks for quality have gotten much higher. At this point, even the middle shelf cannabis you’ll find in dispensaries is still excellent. It may not be in the top tier, but it was grown carefully in excellent conditions.
3 – Bottom Shelf/Shake
Simply put, you shouldn’t find this type of flower in dispensaries. If you ever find yourself looking at lower quality cannabis, that’s a sure sign you should go somewhere else before you make your purchase. Cannabis of low quality will contain lots of seeds and stems, and will generally have a dry or smashed look about it.
Types of Cannabis Flower
Even among strains of similar quality, there can be big differences between different types of cannabis flower. The actual cannabinoid content of a strain will depend on the original seed. Also, taken into consideration is where and how it was grown. Many adult-use cannabis consumers are looking for strains with high THC content, while others prefer CBD or a mixture of the two.
THC-Dominant Strains
These strains are popular in dispensaries. They contain large amounts of THC and usually have very little CBD. After consuming high-THC cannabis, people often report feeling a lot of the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis. Strains like Eskimo Pie, Purple Berry Kush, and Maui Mango Diesel all fall into this category. You can find high-THC in sativa, indica, and hybrid flower.
Sativa & Indica Strains
Sativa is known as the energy and uplifting strain type. Sativa strains are ideal for activities during the daytime that require physical activity or a high level of social interaction.
In terms of effects, sativa strains provide a high for your mind, jumpstarting creativity, focus and mental energy. Some of the most popular sativa strains are Sour Deisel, Jack Herer, and Tangie just to name a few.
Indica is the “chill pill” of the cannabis strains. Known as the relaxing strain type, ideal for activities during the evening that require little to no physical activity or social interaction. In terms of effects, indica strains provide a high for your mind and body, creating a sedated and sleepy state of mind. Some of the more popular strains include Purple Kush, Northern Lights, and Platinum OG.
Hybrid Marijuana Strains
Hybrid strains are best known as the balanced cannabis strains. They contain similar amounts of sativa and indica.
Some people like these because they say the psychoactive effects are less intense, and the overall experience is more relieving. You can look at our menu to find strains like Tora Tsu and Critical Mass, which offer moderate amounts of both CBD and THC.
CBD-Dominant Strains
It’s definitely possible to find CBD-dominant strains in Alaska. You can find 1:1 and 3:1, etc. strains. For an approach between CBD products and typical cannabis, most will opt for a balanced strain.
Shop the Best Cannabis Flower in Alaska at Bad Gramm3r
Here at Bad Gramm3r, we work with the best cannabis growers in Alaska. We’re proud to offer premium cannabis flower for our customers, and our friendly staff will happily walk you through all of the available options. Come visit us in Wasilla or Palmer to find the strain that’s most appealing to you.
Image Credit: Shutterstock / CYAM