Debunking the High THC Myth
The myth about high THC qualifying that a cultivar is AAAA or AAA is not as relevant as previously thought based on new scientific data.
This myth was perpetuated within the cannabis community based on, “well this cultivar got me really high so it must have high THC.” There was no scientific basis for this conclusion unless the grower was accurately testing their product using a scientific process, and then accurately relaying that to people purchasing it. Many cultivars that were once thought to be consistently very high in THC are now being discovered to have less THC as previously thought, yet giving the expected results based on impairment levels and effects.
https://www.substancemarket.com/why-a-higher-thc-percentage-isnt-necessarily-better/
Why is this? The new cannabis science shows that it is about the ‘entourage effect’. This entourage effect is predicated on the interaction of cannabinoids and the terpenes found in cannabis. Terpenes are what give the different cannabis cultivars the variety of flavours and effects that consumers are looking for. For example, a low to mid THC cultivar with a robust terpene profile may have more hard-hitting effects than a high THC cultivar with few terpenes. Another example is a cultivar with medium or high THC causing anxiety or paranoia, where another cultivar with similar THC content is relaxing. This is dictated by the terpenes present in the flower, not the cannabinoid content.
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x
https://plantedu.com/what-are-cannabis-terpenes
The modern cannabis connoisseur is typically aware of these new studies and are now able to find new cultivars that are not super high THC but still qualify as a AAAA cultivar. Other myths that continue to perpetuate are the Indica vs. Sativa myth and strain vs. cultivar language. With legalization comes a new understanding of the cannabis plant and dispelling of these common myths that continue to circulate in the cannabis community. At Triple J’s, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are educating our consumers by dispelling myths and providing the most accurate information.
https://www.cannabistech.com/articles/strain-refers-to-viruses-not-cannabis/
https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/indica-vs-sativa/
Written by: Jeremy Jones