What exactly is 35% THC anyway?

TorturedSoul said:
Remember that the testing was performed on A bud - that isn't in the jar. That documentation means that someone sent a gram to a lab for analysis. It does not necessarily mean that every gram in that specific harvest would have the same results. In fact, it usually doesn't. You end up with a range. Lab results are generally indicative - hey, this tested at 26.5%, it's stronger than this other one that tested at 22%. But you never know. The high-test one might have been an anomaly. Or it could be one that produces stellar numbers... once in a while, and the other one might not have such a high peak - but a better average.
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If a grower is having their bud tested – whether a home grower or a dispensary grower – they can decide which buds to send, and how many buds. I think the cannabinoid test usually runs around $50. You can specify to the lab to blend the samples together to get an average, or you can specify to run individual tests.
 
AutoNautPsychoFlower said:
Lot of info to digest here. Still finding it weird to grab a premium top shelf dispensary nug and look at it and see it as 1/3 solid thc. Kind of fun too though to be honest lol.
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Right? But just think... compare the weight of trichomes full of resin to the rest of what's there... dried stem, sugar leaves, and calyxes. Top shelf bud is thick with trichomes.

AutoNautPsychoFlower said:
How much farther do you think we will push the THC envelope percentage wise?
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I think the genetically possible limit has been reached... 35%. Somebody told me 37% is possible. Kind of like the speed of light. So, you'd need GMOs to try to go beyond that. Maybe.
 
Godfather OG holds the 2022 world record for the highest THC percentage. This strain of cannabis has reached THC levels of almost 30 percent, which is highly uncommon. Finding strains of cannabis that reach almost thirty percent under The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices is very difficult. People typically buy up the strains of cannabis that feature high THC percentages, making it difficult for growers to keep up with the demand.

No strains of cannabis have exceeded 30 percent under The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices as of 2022. As a result, growers try harder and harder every year to push the levels of THC concentration in their strains of cannabis.

Posted by one of our sponsors @Expert Seedbank


There are stories of an illegal grow in Berlin, that reached 46% with no proof.

So...

These facilities know there is no definitive way to dispute testing because of zero regulations, standards, and non controlled environment.

So we are given bs data.

A feel good moment.
 
OGpapa said:
Godfather OG holds the 2022 world record for the highest THC percentage. This strain of cannabis has reached THC levels of almost 30 percent, which is highly uncommon. Finding strains of cannabis that reach almost thirty percent under The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices is very difficult. People typically buy up the strains of cannabis that feature high THC percentages, making it difficult for growers to keep up with the demand.

No strains of cannabis have exceeded 30 percent under The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices as of 2022. As a result, growers try harder and harder every year to push the levels of THC concentration in their strains of cannabis.

Posted by one of our sponsors @Expert Seedbank


There are stories of an illegal grow in Berlin, that reached 46% with no proof.

So...

These facilities know there is no definitive way to dispute testing because of zero regulations, standards, and non controlled environment.

So we are given bs data.

A feel good moment.
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What about the wax aka. shatter that they claim is 70?%?
 
OGpapa said:
Godfather OG holds the 2022 world record for the highest THC percentage. This strain of cannabis has reached THC levels of almost 30 percent, which is highly uncommon. Finding strains of cannabis that reach almost thirty percent under The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices is very difficult. People typically buy up the strains of cannabis that feature high THC percentages, making it difficult for growers to keep up with the demand.

No strains of cannabis have exceeded 30 percent under The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices as of 2022. As a result, growers try harder and harder every year to push the levels of THC concentration in their strains of cannabis.

Posted by one of our sponsors @Expert Seedbank
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Looks like Godfather OG bud has sometimes (once?) tested at 34%. There are many strains around 30%... I'm growing one, and will have it tested.

OGpapa said:
There are stories of an illegal grow in Berlin, that reached 46% with no proof.
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I don't believe that one because apparently...

"The biological limits on THC production mean that ~35% total THC by dry weight is a rough upper limit for strains" [source: Leafly.com]

OGpapa said:
So...

These facilities know there is no definitive way to dispute testing because of zero regulations, standards, and non controlled environment.

So we are given bs data.

A feel good moment.
Click to expand...
If a home grower sends a bud sample to a lab, without revealing the name of the sample, you'll get a result back from the lab... if they wanted to fabricate a result, they wouldn't know the strain they are testing... risky. If you sent samples from the same plant to multiple labs, all with different ID numbers, but no strain information, you would then get back multiple test results for comparison. You might find one lab in error, but I think you'd find the rest would pretty much match each other.

If you sent a sample of your own homegrown top shelf Godfather OG bud to a lab, and got back 15% THC, you'd know the lab is probably fabricating results. ...Or the seed seller is selling bunk.
 
cbdhemp808 said:
Looks like Godfather OG bud has sometimes (once?) tested at 34%. There are many strains around 30%... I'm growing one, and will have it tested.


I don't believe that one because apparently...

"The biological limits on THC production mean that ~35% total THC by dry weight is a rough upper limit for strains" [source: Leafly.com]


If a home grower sends a bud sample to a lab, without revealing the name of the sample, you'll get a result back from the lab... if they wanted to fabricate a result, they wouldn't know the strain they are testing... risky. If you sent samples from the same plant to multiple labs, all with different ID numbers, but no strain information, you would then get back multiple test results for comparison. You might find one lab in error, but I think you'd find the rest would pretty much match each other.

If you sent a sample of your own homegrown top shelf Godfather OG bud to a lab, and got back 15% THC, you'd know the lab is probably fabricating results. ...Or the seed seller is selling bunk.
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Even if the total THC acid level was converted into THC, the presence of these high THC levels over the years cannot be explained, especially if they were found in a mix of buds and leaves. Variances of 10% to 20% in test results from medical laboratories cannot only be the result of different ways of measuring the THC acid content. To yield a peak value of between 33% and 44% it would have to be almost as high as the actual THC content.

If that were really the case, then patients could also increase the THC content of their medication to such high levels using simple decarboxylation. There are no recorded instances where medicinal cannabis has shown a THC content as high as the peak values found in Berlin, even after full decarboxylation.

If the values really do meet the criteria of the law, then either they are random and far from precise, or even worse: Two different standards are used to measure for patients and for offenders. The values in Berlin lead inexorably to the suspicion that the THC content for criminal offences does not reflect reality, but is inflated using unrealistic measurement methods because that affects the level of the sentencing.
 
OGpapa said:
Even if the total THC acid level was converted into THC, the presence of these high THC levels over the years cannot be explained, especially if they were found in a mix of buds and leaves. Variances of 10% to 20% in test results from medical laboratories cannot only be the result of different ways of measuring the THC acid content. To yield a peak value of between 33% and 44% it would have to be almost as high as the actual THC content.
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The labs measure THCA and THC... both occur in the buds. It will be mostly THCA. THC getting higher and higher over the years is just a side effect of breeders looking to produce higher THC plants... select the ones that clock in high, repeat. Keep looking. They have been very successful.

Today's cannabis testing labs (not "medical" labs) are not producing 10 to 20% variance... no way. This is not why THC levels are high for whatever strain of buds is being analyzed.

RE: "...peak value of between..." No basis in reality.

OGpapa said:
If that were really the case, then patients could also increase the THC content of their medication to such high levels using simple decarboxylation. There are no recorded instances where medicinal cannabis has shown a THC content as high as the peak values found in Berlin, even after full decarboxylation.
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Decarboxylation has nothing to do with this. THCA is converted to THC, by heating... that has no bearing on the plant's ability to produce the THCA.

OGpapa said:
If the values really do meet the criteria of the law, then either they are random and far from precise, or even worse: Two different standards are used to measure for patients and for offenders. The values in Berlin lead inexorably to the suspicion that the THC content for criminal offences does not reflect reality, but is inflated using unrealistic measurement methods because that affects the level of the sentencing.
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Criminals? Are you now talking about the amount of THC in the blood after a DUI? I am talking about cannabis testing labs given cannabinoid analysis test results to whomever orders those tests, including home growers (medical). You seem to be talking about something else.

What is the main point you are trying to make? Can you tell us in one or two sentences?
 
The Berlin case with the high THC was a criminal case for prosecution. Not a legitimate lab analysis.

There was no point to make other than inconsistent processes to determine the actual percentage of THC of a harvested plant. I have a hard time believing inconsistent data.

The last clip I posted was from one of our sponsors. Word for word.

So I apologize for it not being legitimate.

I have spent some time looking around at many different seed banks. I try to educate myself, before I make a decision. I can't buy a seed that's like ya I'm 40%thc.
 
OGpapa said:
The Berlin case with the high THC was a criminal case for prosecution. Not a legitimate lab analysis.
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Please explain. What was the case about? They were measuring THC in bud material? Why?

OGpapa said:
There was no point to make other than inconsistent processes to determine the actual percentage of THC of a harvested plant. I have a hard time believing inconsistent data.
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Why are you talking about a (freak?) case in Berlin, instead of what is normally done by home growers and dispensary growers, in determining THC in buds?? I.e. they use legitimate cannabis testing labs.

OGpapa said:
The last clip I posted was from one of our sponsors. Word for word.
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Can you provide the link to what you read, so we can confirm that? It's always good to put quotes around it, or use the quote tool here in the forum.
 
OGpapa said:
That was posted about flower
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Yes. It's easily possible to end up with a 90%+ THC concentrate (depending on the extraction method).

Chiquita Banana, Pink Stardust, and Trophy Wife have all - reportedly - tested at 33% THC. IDK; I have neither seen the test results, nor consumed the product.

One thing to remember is that when just the THC(a) content starts to approach those high percentage numbers, your bud is naturally going to have less and less of the other cannabinoids. Which is great - to a point.

A quick and dirty "overall cannabis content" home method is to buy a cheap hair straightener and some parchment paper. Fold a quantity (a gram, or whatever) of bud into the parchment paper, stick it in the hair straightener, and then stand on the handle for a while. Then scrape up the extract and weigh it on an accurate scale. It's not going to be perfect, but it'll probably be close enough - especially if you do it the same way every time. Although, as mentioned, it'll not differentiate between the various cannabinoids, just the overall amount. Experimentation will show you how long to keep the pressure/heat on... and provide you with a little extract ;).
 
TorturedSoul said:
A quick and dirty "overall cannabis content" home method is to buy a cheap hair straightener and some parchment paper. Fold a quantity (a gram, or whatever) of bud into the parchment paper, stick it in the hair straightener, and then stand on the handle for a while. Then scrape up the extract and weigh it on an accurate scale. It's not going to be perfect, but it'll probably be close enough - especially if you do it the same way every time. Although, as mentioned, it'll not differentiate between the various cannabinoids, just the overall amount. Experimentation will show you how long to keep the pressure/heat on... and provide you with a little extract ;).
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There must be a way to get close by weighing bud(s) first, then make hash out of those buds.

The weight of the hash is all trichomes – i.e. it's the resin – so this is basically the weight of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavones combined. Now, the percent of the resin that's THC varies according to the strain... is there any CBD in the buds? (If THC and CBD are both present, this complicates things. Let's say that THC does indeed have a theoretical limit of 34%. So, if CBD is also in the picture, then the theoretical limit of THC+CBD is also 34%. That's my understanding.)

Let's say we're talking about top shelf buds, sativa-dominant, high THC, with little to no CBD. I think the resin would be composed of up to 95% THC*. Let's also say that the weight of the cured buds is 1 oz ( 28.35 g). And for the hash, let's say the weight of the hash is 5 g**, so let's take 95% of that for our THC amount, so we end up with THC at 4.75 g. So... total dry bud weight 28.35g... weight of the THC in the hash 4.75g... THC would be at around 17%.

So when you are holding that dry bud in your hand...
  • about 5/6th of the weight is bud material (stems, calyxes, sugar leaves)
  • about 1/6th of the weight is pure THC,
  • less than 1/100th is other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavones
Now, what if the bud was a 30% THC bud?

We can reverse engineer the calculations... let's assume everything is the same as above, but somehow we know THC is 30%. Let's say we also start out with 1 oz of cured buds. This means what? It means the hash weighs a lot more than the above example – which makes total sense, because it's a 30% THC plant, not a 17% THC plants. For the 30% THC plant, the weight of the hash (the resin) is 8.95g...
  • about 2/3rd of the weight is bud material (stems, calyxes, sugar leaves)
  • about 1/3rd of the weight is is pure THC,
  • less than 1/100th is other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavones
This is really interesting! So, we see an interplay between the amount of resin and the amount of non-resin (i.e. everything that's not a trichome). For the 17% THC bud, the resin is over 17% of total weight, while the non-resin is about 82% of total weight. For the 30% THC bud, the resin is over 30% of total weight, while the non-resin is about 67% of total weight.

What's the conclusion? The difference between the 17% THC bud and the 30% THC bud is that one obviously contains more THC, but the ratio of non-resin to resin has also changed... for the 17% bud: 4.6-to-1... for the 30% bud: 2-to-1. Well, this is cool... the weight of the resin of the 30% bud is 1/2 the weight of the non-resin material. You can think of this in terms of "packets" if you will... three packets... (non-resin) (non-resin) (resin). Each weighs the same amount.

BUT... there's another variable, and that is... do the trichomes of the 30% flower each, actually, contain more THC, or are there just more trichomes, or both? The key here is weight... what we are considering overall is weight, not volume. So I think the answer is, we can't tell anything about the concentration of THC in individual trichomes, or the overall number of trichomes. We only know the total THC is 30% of the overall dry bud weight.

* Well, is that 95% before or after the THCA is decarbed into THC? I vote after. So therefor the end result, THC at 17%, is also post-decarb.

** I've left out a major factor for simplicity, and that's the fact that hash extraction is not 100% efficient... you don't recover all the trichomes. This depends on which hash-making technique you are using. So, pretend we are using a technique that always yields 80% of the resin (if done correctly), and that the numbers in this analysis have been adjusted accordingly. For example, where I said, "weight of the hash is 5 g", this means we extracted 80% of the resin, but we adjust that to 100% to reflect how much resin is actually in the dry buds, and we arrived at 5 g.
 
@cbdhemp808 very well said. I have never had anyone break it down like that.
 
This thread really needed to happen I think. There are soooo many questions about standards and best practices. It needs to be more open (procedures so that things can be checked by independent QA people) and easily explained to buyers. There is way too much room for bad actors and scammy BS.

Im starting to wonder about extensive built up trichome structures. The kind that look like coral stacking.
@Krissi Carbone has endless pics of what Im referencing. When trichs build up in such a manner Im wondering how it effects weight as well as the actual high and percentage values. We are trying to look beyond the standard hairs and trich color check for potency and effect.

My local dispensary regularly has buds between 30-34+% THC labeled that way for buying. Right now they have a 32.5 as their heavy but Ive seen their "Cake Crashers" hitting about 35% THC not THCA. Ive bought it multiple times and has good effects and is certainly frosty but effect was notciably less than going from a strain labeled around 20% and then hitting a 25% a while later (yes different highs any way you look at it) than going from 25% THC bud to the 34% stuff. Point being that maybe after hitting around 25-30% the various highs sort of plateu off? Is that possible?
 
cbdhemp808 said:
The feds are gonna keep this miracle plant suppressed as long as they can, cuz it competes with the pharma branch of our corrupt govt (among other things).
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I agree with this however, I feel that politicians now seek any avenue for an income stream. The Federal gubment will only legalize when they approve extensive taxing and regulation so that they have power over the entire industry. They'll have strategically placed family members as CEO's and Board of Directors on specific leveraging companies then they'll have other families invest in these companies the Federal gubment gives subsidies to which greatly inflates their stock market value. They are now seeing the potential that cannabis has to actually compete with big pharma. They'll probably allow big pharma a stake in the pot by allowing certain concentrates to only be made available by licensed "Pharmaceutical" companies. These are the details ALL of the politicians are hashing out. Republican and Democrat career politicians are pure evil who only seek to enrich themselves and their families at our expense. Federal Legalization of Cannabis will not be in the peoples favor unless it is simply total recreational legalization with complete government and law enforcement hands off on the entire industry. Which will never happen.
 
EZCalyx said:
I agree with this however, I feel that politicians now seek any avenue for an income stream. The Federal gubment will only legalize when they approve extensive taxing and regulation so that they have power over the entire industry. They'll have strategically placed family members as CEO's and Board of Directors on specific leveraging companies then they'll have other families invest in these companies the Federal gubment gives subsidies to which greatly inflates their stock market value. They are now seeing the potential that cannabis has to actually compete with big pharma. They'll probably allow big pharma a stake in the pot by allowing certain concentrates to only be made available by licensed "Pharmaceutical" companies. These are the details ALL of the politicians are hashing out. Republican and Democrat career politicians are pure evil who only seek to enrich themselves and their families at our expense. Federal Legalization of Cannabis will not be in the peoples favor unless it is simply total recreational legalization with complete government and law enforcement hands off on the entire industry. Which will never happen.
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Here in the land of Lincoln all the small indie companies sold out to corporations. Ya can’t really blame them they paid mega bucks. All the minorities were raising hell that it wasn’t fair (It wasn’t) and as soon as they got their licenses they sold to the corporations as well. Now if it’s not bad enuff the city,county and state tax the bajesus out of it the corporations set the prices with no competition. I know several people that drive 2 hrs. to Michigan cause it’s so much cheaper.
 
I'm am still on the hunt for the definition of a cannabis coral. Searching this web everywhere.

I am still processing all of this information provided by you fellow growers so please give me some time to absorb it all and do some digging.

Agreed...needed to happen. Just be ready for the debate that follows when we post a question like this...or stress technique lol
 
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