Read the numbers first
Cannabinoid percentages sit on every licensed menu. THC is the compound that causes intoxication. CBD does not cause intoxication. A label that reads 20% THC means 200 mg of THC in one gram of flower. A label that reads 0.5% THC means 5 mg in that same gram.
Some menus list THCA instead of THC. THCA is the acid form in raw plant material. Heat converts THCA into THC. Multiply the THCA percentage by 0.877 and add the THC percentage to get total THC. Flower listed at 22% THCA and 1% THC holds about 20.3% total THC.
Convert the weight and check price per gram
Flower sells by weight in grams and ounces.
- 1 gram
- Eighth = 3.5 g
- Quarter = 7 g
- Half ounce = 14 g
- Ounce = 28 g
Divide the price by the gram count to compare value. A $40 eighth costs $11.43 per gram. A $60 eighth costs $17.14 per gram. Menus that post price per gram remove the math.
Strain labels: indica, sativa, hybrid
These three words classify plant structure and growth, not the high. Both types contain the same cannabinoids and differ in ratio. Names are not standardized. Two shops can sell different genetics under the same name. Ask for the brand and the batch number when the name matters.
Potency by product form
Potency ranges differ by category.
- Flower: 15% to 30% THC
- Vape cartridges: 70% to 90% THC
- Concentrates: 60% to 90% THC
- Edibles: listed in milligrams, not percentages
Solventless hash rosin, live resin, and cured resin each appear under concentrates. The menu should name the extraction method and the starting material.
Edibles are dosed in milligrams
Edible labels show milligrams of THC per serving and per package. Many states cap one serving at 10 mg THC and one package at 100 mg THC. Effects start 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating and can last longer than inhaled products. Write down the dose before you eat.
Test results and dates
Licensed products carry a certificate of analysis (COA) tied to a batch or lot number. The COA lists potency, pesticide screening, microbial results, heavy metals, and residual solvents. Ask to see the COA when the menu does not post it.
Package date and harvest date matter. THC degrades with time, light, and heat. Flower packed twelve months ago will not match a fresh batch. Some menus show a harvest date and some show only a package date.
Terpenes, when the menu lists them
Terpenes are aromatic compounds in the plant. Common names on menus include myrcene, limonene, pinene, beta-caryophyllene, linalool, and terpinolene. Labels may show total terpene percentage or a breakdown by name. Research on how terpenes change human effects is limited.
Questions to ask at the counter
- What is the total THC, and was it measured or calculated from THCA?
- What is the package date?
- Can I see the COA for this batch?
- How many milligrams of THC are in one serving of this edible?
- Was this flower grown indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse?
Staff at a licensed shop can pull this information. A menu with no potency numbers, no weights, and no dates is missing the data you need to compare one product against another.