Does THC Percentage Really Matter?

We're often told that bigger is better — but is that true when it comes to the percentage of THC in cannabis? Actually, THC percentage matters less than you might think. Let's discuss.

Key Takeaways

• The THC percentage simply means how much of a particular cannabis product is THC, by weight.
• THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies.
• Though THC is best known for causing the iconic "high" associated with weed, it also has a number of potential health benefits, such as relieving pain and easing anxiety.
• Cannabis flower typically has a THC percentage of around 20%, while distillates and concentrates might have THC percentages of 70% to 90%.
• While you might think higher is better, research suggests higher THC percentages don't actually cause greater effects.
• More important than the percentage of THC is the quality of the product, which you can check by looking for proof of third-party testing. All our products have these certificates.

See Related: How To Make Pot Brownies At Home

What Is THC?

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It's the primary psychoactive substance in the cannabis plant.

Unlike CBD and many other cannabinoids, THC is what causes the iconic "high" associated with cannabis. 

How THC Works

THC causes that high by binding to receptors in your body's endocannabinoid system. This complex system is responsible for many bodily functions, including memory, appetite, sleep, mood, immunity, pain, and more.

By binding to cannabinoid receptors, THC influences those bodily functions. That can cause psychoactive effects. And it can only lead to a number of potential health benefits.

Health Benefits of THC

Relieving chronic pain is the most common reason people use cannabis medically. People also use it to relieve nausea, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.

Like any remedy, it's important to take the right dose of THC. After all, you don't want to take some THC to reduce anxiety, only to find yourself much higher than you expected!

That's where THC percentages can come in handy.

Understanding THC Percentages

The percentage of THC simply refers to the THC content of a particular strain or sample of cannabis.

When it comes to cannabis flower, the THC percentage refers to the amount of THC in the flower, by dry weight. Say, for example, you have a gram of cannabis flower. If that cannabis has a THC percentage of 10%, that means the whole gram has 100mg of THC.

The same is true for other cannabis products. 

How Much THC Is In Common Products

The THC percentage varies quite widely between different cannabis products.

• Flower: More potent strains of cannabis plants might have a THC percentage of 30%. That would be considered high-THC flower or high-THC weed. But the average THC percentage in flower is more like 20%. Plenty of marijuana strains have a THC percentage of 10% or even lower.
• Edibles: The cannabis industry follows strict state laws governing the permitted THC percentage in cannabis edibles. For example, our Delta 8 Gummies contain 20mg of THC in each gummy.
• Vapes: THC levels in vapes can vary widely. That's because vapes might use distillate, which is often highly concentrated. THC percentages average between 85% and 90%. Cannabis consumers looking for more of the plant's aromatic compounds should go for vapes with live resin. Here, THC percentages drop significantly. They vary, but might be around 65%.

Ultimately, the best way to find out the THC percentage in your cannabis product is to consult the information provided by the manufacturer. In turn, that's why it's so important to purchase from a reputable manufacturer — one that takes care to accurately and precisely dose each product with a specific THC percentage.

When THC Percentage Matters — And When It Doesn't

Having read this far, you might be thinking it's best to get as much THC as possible. But the highest percentage of THC isn't necessarily the best THC-containing product.

More THC Doesn't Mean More Effects

Interestingly, research shows that higher THC percentages don't necessarily make cannabis more effective. 

For example, in 2020 a study found that potency "did not track with intoxication levels." Participants who smoked cannabis concentrates with a higher THC percentage had higher levels of THC in their blood, but were just as impaired as participants who'd taken a less potent concentrate.

Bonus: The Complete Guide to Taking CBD for Sleep

The Entourage Effect

That might seem counterintuitive. Remember, though, that THC is just one of over 100 cannabinoids.

You've likely heard of CBD, which is another cannabinoid widely used for its potential health benefits. But there are plenty of others, many relatively unknown.

Additionally, cannabis plants contain plenty of other compounds. These include terpenes, flavonoids, and thiols. They all contribute to cannabis' aroma and potential health benefits.

You can likely already see where this is going. Developing cannabis products with sky-high THC levels inevitably results in the loss of these other compounds. The extraction method strips away all these other cannabinoids and terpenes. 

As a result, products with high THC levels won't be able to provide the potential benefits these lost compounds offer.

Then there's the entourage effect. All the cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis actually influence each other. When combined, they boost the effect of the product beyond what a single compound — like THC — could manage alone.

That's why our Delta 9 THC Gummies contain a carefully formulated 5:1 ratio of CBD to THC. Each gummy has 25mg of CBD and 5mg of THC to provide the benefits of both compounds in concert with each other.

Dosing Edibles

All that said, THC percentage matters a lot when taking edibles. Smoking a high THC strain of cannabis flower might not make you any higher than smoking other cannabis strains, but edibles with more THC are definitely more potent than those with less THC.

That's why there are such strict guidelines surrounding edible production. Cannabis companies, including ourselves, have to follow strict regulations that vary by state. 

What's More Important Than THC Percentage: Quality

The THC percentage is just one component of any cannabis product. Other things to consider include the weed's flavor, the method of consumption, any potential additives, the quality of the production method, and so on.

Above all else, look at the quality of the starting material. No matter the product, no matter the amount of THC — the quality of the cannabis flower is paramount.

Think of it like wine. Low-quality wine might have a higher percentage of alcohol, but does that make it superior to a high-quality vintage? Of course not.

Ideally, you want a product that uses high-quality cannabis and sticks to the best extraction method. 

Our hemp is grown in the USA. It's rigorously tested by accredited third-party laboratories. And the final product, whether a delicious Delta 8 Gummy or Delta 9 Gummy, is absolutely free of artificial ingredients, residual solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides. 

Conclusion

While the THC percentage of a cannabis product can be helpful when it comes to dosing, THC percentages matter less than you might think. A higher THC percentage doesn't always mean a more effective product, though edibles are a notable exception.

More important is the quality of the overall product. You can check that by looking for a certificate of analysis, which is proof that a product has been tested — and happens to be present on all of our products. 

Keep Reading: How Long Do CBD Gummies Last? 7 Factors to Consider

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.