Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The 2016 field of Emerald Cup-winning strains prove that the best cannabis doesn't always contain the highest levels of THC.
The Northern California competition, which recognizes the region's best achievements in organic outdoor marijuana cultivation, awarded prizes to several strains containing seemingly low percentages of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at this year's event.
While the majority of marijuana strains found throughout American dispensaries usually contains THC percentages of 20 or higher, 11 of this year's top 20 Emerald Cup strains featured lower concentrations of the psychoactive compound.
Humboldt County's Dookie Brothers won top overall strain with their cut of Zkittlez, which tested at 19 percent "total active cannabinoids," a measurement clocking a strain's active THC, as well as CBD. Greenshock Farms' Purple Candy Cane won second place with 17.2 percent, while 3rd Gen Family's "Strain No. 8" took third with 15.5 percent.
Chris Roberts explains that terpenes, not THC, is the key component for good marijuana:
Remember that cannabis' effect on the body also depends on a plant's terpenes, the fragrant oils that live in the plant's resin. Like the best wine depending more on terroir, blending and quality of process rather than alcohol content, the approach to top-shelf cannabis is more careful sculpting of all these criteria rather than over-the-top THC punch.
Roberts further makes his case by reporting that a CBD-dominant strain was accidentally sent to judges evaluating strains in the main category, and ended up on the top 10 strain list of eight judges.
"With 400 compounds, and every plant with a unique ratio, this plant really is magic," said Swami Chaitanya, a Mendocino County, Calif.-based Emerald Cup flower judge and cofounder of the Swami Select cannabis brand. "You really can't put a number on it."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Emerald Cup Winners Prove That Strains Low In THC Can Be High Quality Marijuana
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: David Downs
Website: SFGate
The Northern California competition, which recognizes the region's best achievements in organic outdoor marijuana cultivation, awarded prizes to several strains containing seemingly low percentages of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at this year's event.
While the majority of marijuana strains found throughout American dispensaries usually contains THC percentages of 20 or higher, 11 of this year's top 20 Emerald Cup strains featured lower concentrations of the psychoactive compound.
Humboldt County's Dookie Brothers won top overall strain with their cut of Zkittlez, which tested at 19 percent "total active cannabinoids," a measurement clocking a strain's active THC, as well as CBD. Greenshock Farms' Purple Candy Cane won second place with 17.2 percent, while 3rd Gen Family's "Strain No. 8" took third with 15.5 percent.
Chris Roberts explains that terpenes, not THC, is the key component for good marijuana:
Remember that cannabis' effect on the body also depends on a plant's terpenes, the fragrant oils that live in the plant's resin. Like the best wine depending more on terroir, blending and quality of process rather than alcohol content, the approach to top-shelf cannabis is more careful sculpting of all these criteria rather than over-the-top THC punch.
Roberts further makes his case by reporting that a CBD-dominant strain was accidentally sent to judges evaluating strains in the main category, and ended up on the top 10 strain list of eight judges.
"With 400 compounds, and every plant with a unique ratio, this plant really is magic," said Swami Chaitanya, a Mendocino County, Calif.-based Emerald Cup flower judge and cofounder of the Swami Select cannabis brand. "You really can't put a number on it."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Emerald Cup Winners Prove That Strains Low In THC Can Be High Quality Marijuana
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: David Downs
Website: SFGate
