Does THC Percentage Matter? Cannabis Experts Weigh In

A high THC percentage on the label looks attractive to consumers, as it’s the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It doesn't tell the full story, though. In fact, research shows that people get just as high off cannabis flower with moderate levels of THC as they do when they smoke a concentrate with high levels of THC. This is partly because the body’s endocannabinoid system responds to more than just THC, including other cannabinoids and terpenes that influence the overall experience.

As a cannabis grower or processor, there are other considerations for creating premium products aside from how much THC they contain. Your growing practices, post-harvest handling and processing equipment, packaging choices, and final storage environment all contribute greatly to the quality and effects of the final product.

THC Percentage Doesn't Indicate Quality

Testing your products for cannabinoid levels and stating these levels accurately on the label is mandatory in many U.S. states. However, cannabinoid and even terpene testing can't determine quality. A bud might test at 30 percent THC but be moldy or harsh to smoke.

THC percentage states the concentration of THC by dry weight; that’s all. So if a product is labelled as 30 percent THC, that communicates that 30 percent of the product’s dry weight is THC. This says nothing about the quality of the product, only the THC potency.

The only way to determine quality is through a combination of visual inspection, taste, smell, and the perceived effects after consumption. For concentrates, cannabis consumers often associate a lighter color with higher quality. However, a dark-amber color could indicate a later harvest time rather than a lower-quality product.

Pro tip: You get lighter-colored concentrates by freezing your buds right after harvest. Keep them cold until you wash them for bubble hash, and freeze-dry your bubble hash with a professional freeze dryer. This will not only result in a lighter color with greater shelf appeal but also better preserve terpenes for a more flavorful end product.

Knowing that consumers will pay more for a lighter-colored concentrate and higher THC levels works to your advantage. So long as your starting material and resulting product are of high quality, you can increase your price point. 

Make sure to do this in line with what customers pay for other, similar high-THC products. This will help you not to overshoot and remove yourself from the competition.

High-THC Flower Doesn't Always Get People "More High"

A study published in 2020 found that smoking high-THC cannabis strains (with 24 percent THC content) had comparable perceived effects to smoking cannabis with 16 percent THC. Smoking 70 percent and 90 percent cannabis concentrates didn't result in more impairment than smoking flower. However, the concentrate-consuming participants' plasma THC levels were more than double those of the participants who smoked flower.

Why wouldn't a higher THC percentage get people "more high?" Understanding the effects of the cannabis plant requires an understanding of the range of active compounds in the plant. Each plays a different role in the plant's effects.

Cannabinoids

According to the NCCIH, there are over 100 cannabinoids aside from THC and CBD that occur in cannabis plants, in different percentages in different cannabis strains. This includes fairly well-known cannabinoids like CBG and CBN. Also included are other cannabinoids that aren't as well-known, like CBC, THCV, CBGV, and the acidic forms of all of the cannabinoids mentioned.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most abundant cannabinoid in most marijuana plants (defined as cannabis plants with more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight). It's the cannabinoid that is associated with the feeling of being high.

CBD (cannabidiol) is most abundant in hemp plants (defined as cannabis plants with 0.3 percent THC or less by dry weight). This cannabinoid is non-intoxicating and is best known for its therapeutic properties.

There are marijuana strains with more than 0.3 percent THC but much higher levels of CBD, such as Harlequin, Harle-Tsu, AC/DC, and Charlotte's Web. These strains are popular with medical cannabis patients because they provide relief from ailments like chronic pain and seizures with very mild (if any) psychoactive effects.

Cannabis flower includes some of the original plant profile, with partial loss in varying amounts due to the drying and curing process. The final chemical composition of the flower will have its own unique effects and experience due to the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes present at the time of consumption. Though THC is not as high in flower as in concentrates, the combination of various chemical compounds is what results in a similar intensity of perceived “high.”

Most concentrates have different amounts of THC and contain different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes. Distillates contain only THC or CBD. 

The chemical makeup of the concentrate consumed will drastically change the experience, benefits, side effects, and perceived “high.” Some users find that pure THC gives them a different high than that of a combination of THC and CBD. Even so, their neurobehavioral patterns are generally displayed similarly.

Tolerance plays a role here as well. Inexperienced consumers will likely only gain more side effects from a higher THC amount, without experiencing further intoxication. In contrast, experienced consumers with a higher tolerance will likely need higher amounts of THC to feel the same high, and won’t necessarily experience increased side effects.

Terpenes

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis and other plants their fragrance and flavor.

The terpene profile of a given cannabis product not only creates that product's signature flavor but also alters its effects.

For example, β-caryophyllene has a weak interaction with CB2 receptors in the body’s cannabinoid system.

Terpenes also have therapeutic effects of their own. β-myrcene, for instance, has sedative and anesthetic properties. Cannabis strains with more than 0.5 percent myrcene are associated with couch-lock, while strains with less than 0.5 percent myrcene tend to be more energizing.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids, particularly cannflavins (which are present in the plant Cannabis sativa), are known to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Thiols

Thiols are sulfur compounds (s-compounds) that are believed to be responsible for the skunk-like smell of cannabis. They are also understood to play a role in protecting cells against oxidative stress.

The Entourage Effect

The "entourage effect" refers to the way cannabinoids and terpenes work in concert to produce effects that neither compound achieves alone. Consumers know from experience that cannabis strains with different chemical profiles create a different physiological response.

Once you start to take other cannabinoids, terpenes, and minor compounds into account, you will see that the levels of THC provide very little information about the overall quality or effects of cannabis products.

Risks and Management of High THC Consumption

It’s up to each individual consumer to understand the effects THC has on them and how to enjoy it responsibly. While there are known risks associated with excessive consumption, it’s also important to recognize that research on cannabis is still evolving. Decades of prohibition significantly limited long-term scientific study, meaning much of the available data is still developing and, in some cases, inconclusive. 

Potential risks of excessive THC consumption include:

• Psychiatric distress: Symptoms include severe anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and hallucinations.
• Schizophrenia and psychosis: There’s a higher risk in those who consume high amounts of THC regularly and have a genetic predisposition.
• Cognitive decline: Taking high doses of THC regularly is associated with impaired learning, reduced attention, and reduced memory.
• Addiction: There is a possibility of dependence developing with regular intake of high-THC products.
• Physical health issues: Excessive intake increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks, respiratory issues if smoking, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) (severe nausea and vomiting).
• Pregnancy complications: Use during pregnancy is associated with impaired fetal brain development and low birth weight.
• Impaired judgement: If driving or operating other dangerous equipment while intoxicated, the chance of accidents increases.
• Withdrawal: Regular consumers taking a break may experience anxiety, sleeplessness, and irritability.

How to Manage Cannabis Dosage

The old saying of “start low and go slow” always applies to cannabis dosing. This is not only true for first timers, but also:

• When consuming cannabis for the first time in a while
• Those who’ve taken a tolerance break and are coming back
• When trying a new type of product for the first time

For beginners, a starting dose is generally 1 to 2.5 mg of THC, or 5 mg of CBD. Before having more, it’s recommended to wait 15 to 30 minutes for inhaled products, and 60 to 90 minutes for edibles.

Once a person has experienced a low dose for a few days without negative side effects, they can then titrate their dose if they wish, by increasing it every few days. This allows for safely working out what the best amount is for the effect they’re after without having too many side effects. 

It’s recommended for folks to track their use, the effects, and their experience, so they see how their body responds over time. This will also help them identify whether their tolerance is increasing and the dose that allows them to avoid unwanted effects.

Consumers using cannabis for medical or therapeutic purposes will likely be trying to find a dose that most effectively manages their symptoms, without being too intoxicating or adding side effects. 

Other medications they’re on may also have an effect on their experience and tolerance. Anyone who takes medications or supplements should consult a medical professional who’s familiar with cannabis and its interactions for advice.

THC Percentages and Different Consumption Methods

THC is most associated with “getting high.” This is not always the goal of cannabis users. Different products also produce different highs. Experienced consumers will tailor the product to the effects they’re looking for, or to the situation. 

Edibles are great for social events when subtlety and a longer duration are desired. Then there’s the usual market for inhaled products, and an increasing number of consumers interested in cannabis for its therapeutic and creative effects. Do you want to market to one type of consumer, or widen your product range and potential consumer base?

Edibles

Does THC percentage matter in edibles? In this case, yes, it does. Edibles are the only product where the THC percentage has true value for accurate dosing. A gummy or brownie with 50 mg of THC will absolutely be more potent than one with 5 mg of THC. Note that THC amounts in edibles are always expressed in milligrams, not percentages. 

The same applies to THC-infused beverages. This is due to a THC conversion that happens through the process of digestion. Delta-9-THC is turned into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver, a more potent and psychoactive metabolite. Both edibles and THC-infused drinks result in experiences that are reported to be a more “body-centred high.”

If you use bubble hash or rosin to make infused edibles, it's essential to test the THC levels in your concentrate before you start. This allows you to dose your edibles with a high degree of precision. Most states with a legal cannabis industry set a limit of 10 mg of THC per piece for edibles and 100 mg of THC per packet.

Safety tip: As edibles are digested, there is a delayed onset time. This leads to the temptation to consume more before the effects are fully felt. Edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours to be felt, instead of the usual 15 to 30 minutes. 

The duration of effects is also longer, with these lasting between 4 and 12 hours, compared to the one to four-hour duration of other consumption types. All of this makes it easier to overdo it and get “too high.” These onset times and durations do not apply to THC drinks, which are roughly the same as for inhalation methods.

Inhalation

Vaporizing, smoking, and dabbing are the most popular methods of cannabis consumption. They carry less risk of overdoing it than edibles, as the effects are felt quickly and don’t last as long. They each offer unique experiences, however.

Type	Smoking	Vaping	Dabbing
Method	Burning cannabis and inhaling smoke	Heating cannabis/oil without burning	Flash-heating concentrates and inhaling vapor
Onset of Effects	Rapid	Rapid	Rapid
Type of High	Traditional, often heavier or “couch-lock”	Cleaner, clearer high	Extremely intense, can be overwhelming
Potency	Lower (usually <30% THC)	Higher than smoking (more THC absorbed)	Very high (concentrates often contain 60–90 percent THC)
Risk Factors	Respiratory irritation, long-term lung impacts	Reduced lung harm vs smoking	Higher risk of anxiety, paranoia, tolerance, and dependence
Experience Control	Easier to pace, less intense	Moderately controllable	Harder to control the dose due to potency

CBD-Predominant Products

Products with higher CBD levels tend to be favored among those looking for therapeutic benefits. Higher terpene profiles are associated with increased creativity and energy.

• A 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC is commonly used for pain, muscle spasticity, and cancer-related symptoms. This provides a balance of relief and psychoactive effects.
• A 2 to 4:1 ratio is good for those who need some THC for assistance with symptoms but don’t want to get very high or who have a low tolerance.
• 10:1 or higher is great for inflammation, anxiety, and epilepsy. This ratio doesn’t typically cause intoxication.
• 20:1 is favored for managing conditions such as chronic pain or PTSD, where a large amount of CBD is beneficial, but the patient is avoiding getting high.

Terpene-Predominant Products

Products featuring terpenes usually include quantities of one to two percent. Specific terpenes are used for different effects, with the following terpenes being quite popular among users:

• Limonene: Known for increasing mood and energy
• Pinene: Associated with alertness, mental clarity, and reduces the effect that THC has on short-term memory
• Terpinolene: Uplifting, aids with creativity and “flow states,” avoiding heavy sedation
• Ocimene: Energizing and focus increasing
• β-Caryophyllene: Aids with sustained mental focus and reduces stress, not fatigue-inducing

Quality Is King

As a cannabis grower or processor, your number-one priority should be producing high-quality products with loads of flavor and effects that your customers are counting on. This will sometimes mean growing and processing high THC strains, and always means using high-quality equipment to get the best possible product with consistent results. Low-THC strains have their place too, particularly with first-time cannabis consumers and medical patients.

For the best results, find a niche, optimize your processes, and ask for customer feedback. Make sure you’re also sending your products to a lab for testing. Five-star ratings and glowing testimonials from your customers are worth far more than an "impressively" high THC percentage alone.