Cannabis 101: Checking Out Trichomes

You know you’ve likely got some good weed if it’s covered in trichomes. These are the little white mushroom-like things that stick to your weed and is commonly called kief, particularly when collecting it from a grinder. Trichomes grow on plants and protists, or microorganisms. Cannabis trichomes are the part of the bud that gets you high. Having lots of them means quality weed.

As the name implies, trichomes come in a range of three different colors: clear, cloudy, and brown.

Cannabis that is mostly covered with clear trichomes was harvested on the earlier side, and may contain less THC. This is because the plant has had less time to ripen to the perfect state.

An abundance of cloudy trichomes means that the plant was harvested at a great time. The plant has had a chance to develop lots of THC, and hasn’t yet passed the mark.

Light brown or amber trichomes mean the plant was harvested on the later side. The cellular structure has started to change, much like over-ripe fruit. It will contain a higher concentration of cannabinoids, but some of the THC will have degraded to CBN. CBN is likely to make you drowsy or couch-locked.

The best bud is sticky, and has a good mix of all three colors. If you have access to a a magnifying glass, or better yet a microscope, you can get a good look at them. Knowing how color indicates quality will better enable you to grow or pick out the best bud.