How to choose the best strain for you

Choosing the right strain for you is a decision that only you can make. While there are tons of tips, no uniform choice exists. There is no perfect solution for a daytime strain for people that need to remain productive. The same goes for evening strains, and any other time of the day, really.

Cannabis flower is sure to deliver some level of consistency but it does tend to change even when in the hands of master cultivators. When considering the person consuming it, these varying effects grow that much more. Each person reacts to cannabis differently.

That’s why, when choosing which type of flower to consume, there are a certain set of criteria that helps you make your decision. Going beyond the physical focus, let’s dive into key questions you should ask before choosing which strain is best for you.

Where it Was Grown

If you can, find out where the product was grown. With that understanding, a consumer can better track the product’s path to the sales shelves. James Kim, founder and head grower of Stiizy Founder, says that asking where the flower came from should be the first question asked.

“I always lean towards growers that try to use organic methods and are conscientious about their footprint before I consider what kind of strain I want.” he said.

 

Touch and Smell

If making a purchase in-store, be sure to get a feel for the flower. If it is dry or lacking in moisture, you may be better off with another choice.

If your Sherbet smells like ChemDawg, you may have an issue on your hands. Your flower should have a strong-to-pungent odor that resembles its strain profile. Some flower will smell more like fruit or sweet hints, while others can smell more like the earth or fuel. Understand what a strain smells like and compare to what you are considering buying.

 

Desired Effects

The effects of a cannabis strain varies for a number of reasons. Each are points worth considering when mulling over which type of flower to buy.

Sativas are more for keeping you going through the day. Meanwhile, indicas tend to produce effects that make it for night time. In other cases, hybrids can make a strain take on the effects of both. In the case of hybrid strains, understand the percentages in the flower. Some can be 50:50 while others are 80:20.

Terpenes are another factor to consider. These compounds found in the crystals of flower, and numerous other sources, make up the aromatic and flavor profile of a strain. They also provide some of its effects. Each strain is composed of a variety of terpenes and will affect how a person feels.

The same can be said for a cannabinoid profile. A strain with 2:1 THC to CBD is common for consumers. Meanwhile, medical patients may opt for a 25:1 CBD to THC strain so they can feel relief without a high.

Beyond CBD and THC, over one hundred other cannabinoids can come into effect. THCA and CBDA are common and abundant cannabinoid acids with an array of others. While these cannabinoids will almost assuredly not get you high, they can alter the effects of a high.

Dylan Smith, Head of Product at SmokeSmith Gear relies on reviews and budtenders to understand the experience a strain provides. “If they have had a good experience recently, then that’s a good sign,” explained Smith. “I am also a huge advocate of reading reviews.”

In fact, the LA Rush Team is always trying new products and reviewing them in detail. Our team reviews everything from flower and edibles to vapes and topicals.

Budtender knowledge is also important. “Asking the budtender if he or she has personal experience is key,” Smith added. Buying online? No sweat. LA Rush has a live chat team available to help you determine which strain might best suit your needs.

 

Potency

A flower’s strength can be included under desired effects but is also enough of a topic to stand on its own. Just a few decades ago, it was bewildering to find any flower that was beyond 10% potent. Today, the average flower ranges between 12% and 14% usually. Plus, many strains far exceed the average and can be as strong as in the high 20s or low 30s.

Be sure to understand how strong a strain is before consuming. Though appealing, save off on trying the heavy hitters until you are more comfortable and familiar with your tolerance.

Buyer Tip: It Varies By Region

Smith also reminds buyers that a strain will vary by region. Unlike buying regulated products, cannabis strains can provide different experiences depending on where it is grown and purchased.

“Cannabis has not gotten so standardized, so a strain can differ from region to region,” he said. “Thus, there is more impetus on the customer to know what they want, and to know what that strain looks and smells like before he or she walks into a dispensary.”

If you don’t have the answers, consult with the LA Rush Team at (805) 232-8497.

 

Popular Strains to Consider

We agree that reviews are vital to the purchasing experience. It helps to know what your desired strain will do to you and how it will make you feel. To give you an idea, here are some of the most popular LA Rush strains and their standout traits:

• Larry OG :  Larry OG, originally known as Lemon Larry, carries its namesake in its pine-lemon scent, but it’s notable for more than just its smell. A perfectly balanced and mild Indica, capable of both energizing and focusing its users to task, and of relaxing the mind and body back to a comfortable level, Larry OG is everything you’d want in an Indica, and lemon-scented too.
• El Chapo :  A notably strong Indica, El Chapo OG is a famously sedative strain, great for taking it easy after a long day’s work or easing the body and mind through stress or repetition. Smelling of sweet lemon and citrus, El Chapo is a spoonful of sugar for a patient in need or a smoker looking for a long-lasting, quick-acting escape from reality.
• Zkittles :  Named for its particularly colorful buds and leaves, Zkittles is an award-winning indica that perfectly blends its sweet smell and pleasing texture with a smooth smoke known particularly for its relaxing and easing body-high. This product of careful breeding was crafted for taste, smell and for its high, must be smoked to be believed.
• SFV OG :  A California Classic, the SFV OG (named after its birthplace, the hot streets of the San Fernando Valley), this indica dominant hybrid contains all the goodness one would expect from a premium strain from the west side: an earthy, pure scent coupled with a relaxed, but not couch-locking, high that is a guaranteed good time.
• Lemon Haze :  A sativa potent and energizing enough to be worthy of its namesake. Jack Herer, not unlike the revolutionary author it’s named after, is down-to-earth and radiating power. Pungeant with the scent of pine and spice and carrying with it a sativa-brand uplifting high, do not pass up the chance to try Jack Herer.
• Sunset Sherbet :  A particularly curative indica dominant strain, Sunset Sherbet tastes every bit as sweet, citrus-y, and herbal as the dessert it’s named for and it’s famed lineage. Great for relaxing the nerves, calming stress and anxiety, or for easing insomnia, Sunset Sherbet is just as much a treat for the mind and the muscles as it is for the nose.
• Blue Nerdz :  If you’re on the hunt for the perfect fruity flavor, look no further – Nerds totally has everything that you need and more. This baby packs a mouthwatering sweet grape taste with hints of rich strawberries and tree fruits upon exhale. The aroma is very much the same with a slightly spicier turn, amped up with rich earth and fresh herbs.
• Tropicana Cookies :  Tropicana Cookies is a sativa-dominant hybrid (Tangie x Girl Scout Cookies) is a super tasty strain that will fill you with giggly social energy and then fade off into a physically relaxing calm as your day goes by. NOT recommended for nighttime use.

Be sure to evaluate a strain for all of the above points and others. Remember that each strain can vary, depending on an array of factors. Do your due diligence and make an informed decision. In doing so, you’ll ensure that you have the most ideal experience while consuming.