1. Appearance

Crumbly texture, dull colors? Those are not great signs when it comes to appearance. It should look appealing with bright green base tones and, depending on the strain, lovely orange, blue, or purple hairs. The amount and condition of trichomes are also important visual indicators. 

Trichomes are the outermost parts of the bud and appear milky and crystalline. They are mainly responsible for the psychoactive effects, smell, and taste of the cannabis. If your bud looks visually good and has a beautiful and interesting structure, it's likely to be enjoyable to consume.

2. Smell

Rancid aromas, flat scent profile, and nothing appealing to your nose? Better stay away from it. Good cannabis has a strong, typical cannabis aroma. Depending on the strain and your sensitivity, you might detect scent notes like pine, lemon, diesel, or fruity tones. The stronger the smell, the more intense the effects and flavors you can expect.

3. Feel

The bud falls apart just by looking at it? Then skip it. Good cannabis has a slightly springy structure and is not too dry, so that trichomes and resins stay hydrated. If you press it slightly between your fingers, a sticky residue is a good sign of quality. 

Small branches should bounce back into place when bent and not break off easily. However, cannabis should not be too moist either, as this increases the risk of mold or mildew.

Other factors for good cannabis

When buying, pay attention to the overall impression of the seller. Are there trust elements such as customer reviews? Good word-of-mouth is also a positive sign that you’re dealing with a trustworthy seller. On the other hand, good marketing doesn’t always mean good product quality. Use our tips above to assess whether your cannabis is good or bad. 

Last but not least, price matters too. Was the cultivation process complex? Was great care taken in growing and harvesting? Then a higher price is often justified. Use our tips to check the quality and decide if the product is worth the cost.

Simply put: trust your nose, your eyes, and your gut and fingertip feeling. Then you'll quickly be able to tell good cannabis from bad.