The Cannabis Grow Bible. Greg Green

The High

       THC

      Cannabis plants produce psychoactive ingredients called cannabinoids. The main ingredient in cannabinoids that gives the high effect is called THC, also known as Tetrahydrocannabinol or δ9-THC, δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. All strains vary in THC levels and quantities or percentages. There is a difference between THC levels and THC quantities.

       THC Levels

      THC levels are genetically determined, meaning the grower cannot remarkably influence how potent the strain inherently is. This inbuilt level can only be produced by the grower through the growth of a greater quantity (meaning a bigger yield after harvest). The grower can influence a plant to reach a genetically inherent level of optimal growth to produce the largest quantity of THC the plant is capable of.

       THC Quantities

      THC quantities are related to bud mass and how much resin can be collected from that bud mass. By way of example: the level of THC found in a single trichome gland when comparing the cannabinoid content of that trichome was 10 percent. That plant produced .5 oz. of resin under average growing conditions. Out of that resin, maybe .05 oz. was THC. This 10 percent level seems to be genetically set in the plant. Under optimal growing conditions, the plant may have the genetic capability of producing .75 oz. of resin. Out of that resin, maybe .075 oz. will be THC. It is the case here that the THC quantity has increased from .05 to .075 oz., but the THC level of 10 percent remained the same.

      This is what it is all about. These are the results that every grower eventually hopes to see: colas deep with resinous trichomes.

      Elevation view of trichomes. The density and sizes of trichomes can vary quite dramatically between strains. Note bigger and more does not necessarily mean stronger.

      THC levels correspond to the ratio of THC to other cannabinoids contained in the trichomes of the pistils of flowering female plant. Although this ratio varies depending on the strain, how it is grown, when it is harvested, and how it is cured, under optimal conditions a stable strain should produce a consistent THC level that is genetically inherited. Once the THC level is genetically set in the seed it cannot be increased past this point during the plant’s life.¹⁶ Likewise, the maximum quantity of bud that the plant can produce is also genetic and cannot increase past this point during the plant’s life. The grower should endeavor to create a growing environment that optimizes both these traits to their full potential. Emphasis should be made here on choosing good genetics. You can’t improve on something that isn’t there in the first place. This cannot be understated.

      An optimally potent plant will have both high levels and quantities of delta-9 THC. Cannabis plants also produce a compound called delta-8 THC. This ingredient is found in low levels but does contribute to the high. When we mention THC levels, we are referring to both delta-8 and delta-9 THC. There are also other ingredients that add to the high, such as CBD, CBN, THCV, CBDV, CDC, and CBL. Since these are minor components compared to THC they will not be discussed in this book.

      When examining a strain in a seed bank catalogue you can check the THC levels of that plant to understand the potency. Many seed retailers and breeders measure their plants’ THC levels and offer accounts of how much THC their plants have. Of course, breeders may be tempted to embellish the THC levels their plants produce. If you want to know more about the THC level of a specific strain, you should consider consulting the seed bank or breeder for details.

      Another interesting fact is that some cannabis plants do not produce any THC at all. These plants have been bred to produce very low levels of THC and are mainly used by farmers in countries that permit the growth of cannabis for textile production.This hemp does not produce a high. (These hemp seeds may be found in birdseed.)

       Resin

      Some female plants produce resin glands that contain lots of resin but are not considerably potent. Other plants may have little resin but be highly potent. Optimal growth gives rise to a plant that has both a considerable amount of resin and is highly potent. Resin glands are produced all over the female flowers and new leaves, and can be seen clearly with the use of a magnifying aid. These resin glands are called trichomes.

      Trichomes grow on almost all of the bud mass. Notice the slight variations of trichome shapes, sizes and amounts between leaf (bottom) and pistil (right).

      Flowers change their appearance over time. This freshly manicured bud displays orange pistils that were once creamy colored. Growers can gauge harvesting times by this.

      Savour the moment. Feel proud of your efforts and takes notes on what you see, smell, taste and feel. This can help with future changes you may want to make or keep.

      Resin can be rubbed off the bud using your fingers and then rolled into the palms to create small balls of hand-rubbed hashish. The main concentration of produced cannabinoids and THC exists within these glands. When a plant is in full flowering, some of the resin glands may explode or break, dropping resin onto the leaves below, giving these leaves an extra-shiny, potent look during flowering. Toward the bottom of the plant are the fan leaves. These leaves are generally large, outstretched, and used to collect light for plant growth. Because these leaves are far away from the top of the plant and the furthest away from the light, they produce the least amount of resin glands and collect the least amount of burst resin from the tops. They are not considered to be very potent. It is best to separate the fan leaves from the rest of the plant after harvesting, as these leaves will not provide the best high.

       Zero Zero

      Cannabis can be cured into various forms. Most popular is hashish, also known simply as hash.

      Hashish can also be graded, and one of the most famous grades of hashish is called Zero Zero. Hashish making can improve—but sometimes degrades—the overall potency of marijuana. The grades of hashish are as follows: 00 (Zero Zero), 0, 1, 2, 3. Zero Zero is by far the purest form of hashish and comes from plants that have high levels of THC in conjunction with a good hash-making technique. Sometimes the technique may be good, yet the levels of THC in the plant are low. This may produce a hash grade of 2 or 3. The best way you can be sure of actually acquiring a high grade of hashish is by making it yourself.

       TRICHOME

      Powder power.This is a collection of resin and some plant material that has been screened. This concentrate can be quite potent.

      This is the most popular form that hashish comes in. Graded according to quality and quantity of cannabinoids against plant materials.