A cannabis grading system is important in order to be able to judge the quality of your weed. Although there is more than one system for determining quality, the grading of weed from A-AAAA may end up being the most accurate representation of lab results and accurate evaluation. Being able to identify those differences allows you to better understand what to expect from your cannabis experience and once you understand the grading system, gain a whole new level of appreciation for this wonder plant.
The methodology and care in which the particular strain of cannabis is grown have more to do with the quality and grade of the weed, than the actual strain itself. The grading system is not based on the overall strain itself, but the quality of a specific batch. In fact not all marijuana are equal. Grades are assigned to each batch are determined by a specific set of tests so the results are consistently accurate and fairly represent the quality of the product. However, they may not completely reflect your experience with each. That will take some amount of experience so you can understand your tastes.
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Why is the Weed Grade Chart Important?
Multiple testing systems and grading methodologies are being used across the industry so some of this can become a bit confusing. So, it is best to rely on one system as your guide. We lean toward the A-AAAA+ system as the one that produces the most accurate and easily understood grade. The other very common grading system is the Low Grade, Mid-Grade, and High-Grade or Top Shelf indicators. While this is different and may not allow for as granular a grading as the A-AAAA+ system, they can be paired up pretty easily. Low Grade and an AA grade are the same, as is AAA and Mid-Grade. At the Top Shelf or High-Grade end, you’ll find AAAA and A5 rated cannabis.
There is of course terminology that has developed from the identification of various levels of quality. You may hear words or terms like “A weed, dubs, Trips, Quads, True Quads…”. These terms are the equivalent of the grading system, they are just using words instead of the “A”. You can also find other terms like “Schwag,” or “Dirt Weed.” but it appears to be more subjective and may not represent accurate or consistent units of measure.
Who is using Grades of Weed?
Currently, the legalized cannabis stores, supplied by Canada’s licensed growers, do not use this system, preferring instead to grade their cannabis by its THC and CBD potency, which is determined by official lab tests. The test results allow the provider to more accurately and appropriately price their cannabis based on potency. This is a benefit to both the supply side and the consumer side. These tests meet legal requirements but often fail to give the consumer a complete picture of each product’s qualities.
Mostly Online Dispensaries will use this grading system to give you the best insight into the quality of the weed before you buy it. In fact, THC and CBD potency is not always what consumers are looking for this is why having another indicator such as the AA System is more in adequation with the information people are expecting even if it’s not perfect
Now let’s take a closer look at the grading factors.
How to determine your Weed Grade and Weed Quality?
Asides from the detection of cannabis quality based on the CBD or THC-level, these relate more to potency than quality. Even low potency cannabis can be a high-quality product. The most accurate ratings look at all of the following:
- Flower Structure: They are soft and spongy. They’re a bit sticky. The buds are evenly shaped with a fair amount of symmetry. Make sure they are not and ragged and random in their appearance.
- Trichome Density: Buds are often described by the sinews or hair-like fibers that cover the bud. These are trichomes and this is where the THC is held. They also play a practical role in nature. They help protect the plant from insects and over-heating by the sun. The more trichomes there are on a bud, the more potent the cannabis is likely to be.
- Trim: You’ve probably seen cannabis plants that are full of long leaves hanging off the branches, well below the buds. This is an indication of a poorer quality cannabis plant that hasn’t been well cared for. Trimming is where the farmer “trims” the long leaves off and that accomplishes a few important things. First, it makes the plant look more aesthetically pleasing but more importantly, it allows the plant to focus more of its growing energy on developing large and healthy buds.
- Terpene profile: Terpenes are responsible for the way cannabis smells. These are the aromatic qualities of the plant. They are also an important part of what gives cannabis its therapeutic value as these terpenes join with other compounds to deliver medicinal benefits. In nature, terpenes create odors that act as natural bug repellents.
- Burn: One of the ways cannabis quality is determined is to examine the burn and the consistency of the ash. This is most commonly impacted by the manner of curing, with more curing time being indicative of better quality. It’s in this process that moisture is reduced without over-drying the cannabis. It’s just the excess moisture that needs to be eliminated. By getting that just right, the burn is steady and will not extinguish in mid-burn.
- Ash Color: The color of the ash is another important clue that will be defining the quality of cannabis. The best quality cannabis leaves the whitest of ash. The poorest quality will result in ash that is dark brown to black. Grey ash indicates decent quality cannabis that sits somewhere in the middle.
- Flavor and Effect: Each grade of cannabis, not to mention each strain, as a unique flavor profile. They also have unique effects. These flavors can cover a wide range of woodsy, fruity, and earthy tones, or at least they should if the cannabis is of decent quality. Those that are poor will turn musty, with flavors that are anywhere from harsh to hardly distinguishable. Flavors will be fresh and distinct in the best quality cannabis.
Weed Grade Chart: Understand the Different Grades
AAAAA / 5A Grade
AAAAA Grade weed is the very pinnacle of quality. It’s also very rare with only the most select bugs making it to this high-quality level. While the difference may be subtle at this level, these buds are thick, fresh, covered in trichomes, and full of wonderful aromas. This level of quality also delivers an outstanding taste that comes through most strongly when vaping. Check out our article about 5A Weed to get the best deals!
Connoisseurs refer to this AAAAA cannabis as fire, chronic, dank, and flame but in short, these are all terms of unparalleled quality. At this level, prices are also significantly higher. Like the finest wine or age whiskey, this cannabis truly is top shelf, and the prices you’ll pay reflect that.
Weed at this level delivers a clean and clear-headed high with an intense THC effect with minimal side effects. The strain will determine the nature of the high but whatever that expectation is, it will be far more precise at this level of quality.
What is the price range for 5A Weed? Anywhere between $200 to $300 (before discount)
Where to buy 5A in Canada? Herbapproach, Cannabismo, SpeedGreens
AAAA or Weed Quads
AAAA Weed Canada or “Quads” is also a high-quality product that sits well on the top shelf. AAAA grade cannabis will rank high in all criteria including THC/CBD content, aesthetics, bud size, trichome, and terpenoid content. It hasn’t reached absolute perfection but it comes so close that the difference will be difficult to pin down for all but the most dedicated weed aficionados. At this level, aromas are pungent, dank, and decidedly pleasing.
The taste is well developed and the burn is smooth and consistent. This is a premium weed and that means a premium price. If the top-level weed is the Ferrari of cannabis, this is the Porsche – it isn’t cheap but it isn’t astronomical either. Check out our article about AAAA Weed to get the best deals!
What is the price range for Quads Weed? Anywhere between $150 to $220 (before discount)
Where to buy AAAA in Canada? You can count on Cannawholesalers, Buymyweedonline… for an excellent selection of AAAA quality cannabis.
AAA Grade
Weed has been improving for as long as people have been smoking it and AAA used to be the very best weed you could get. Today it’s considered just a middle of the road weed but it’s still a very respectable cannabis product. “Trips” is the weed grade most people are consuming, we advise you not to go lower than that for your everyday smoke.
Trips are imbued with many of the same qualities of the higher quality AAAA weed but the buds are a bit less dense, the THC/CBD potency is slightly weaker and the aromas are a bit less pronounced. You may also find some discoloration coming from the curing process that would not make it into an AAAA smoke.
This quality of cannabis is most common in the market and a wide range of strains and hybrids. All the best online dispensaries in Canada have this Weed grade and their prices are friendly for your wallet.
What is the price range for AAA Weed? Anywhere between $120 to $160 (before discount)
Where to buy AAA in Canada? Cannawholesalers (again), Haute Health…
AA Grade
For the budget-minded consumer, dubs or AA grade cannabis is a perfectly good option. While they aren’t the lowest grade, they are probably only slightly better than homegrown variants but still, the high you get from dubs will offer a very nice buzz without completely draining your pocket.
As far as what’s available in the dispensaries, this is typically the lowest grade they offer. The buds aren’t nearly as well-formed and consistent in color and texture so sitting them on the shelves next to higher grade cannabis doesn’t help the dispensaries earn that well and that means, they may be a bit hard to find in most shops. You may have to ask for them.
Even for those that aren’t as worried about their budget, it’s sometimes fun to explore the AA weed. With a careful eye, you can find some diamonds in the rough that will make your weed journey feel a bit like an adventure and you’ll have fun bragging about and sharing your score. You can also potentially make your own extracts and edibles out of it.
What is the price range for AA Weed? Usually, they are referred as Cheap Weed Ounces and under $99 Weed Ounces.
Where to buy AA Grade in Canada? Haute Health probably has the best deals for this kind of weed.
A Grade
Obviously, this is the bottom of the barrel and finding any of this quality in a licensed dispensary is unlikely. While this grade of weed still has some semblance of a bud, this is the weed that got tossed aside in the grading process. It will still give you a buzz but the side effects and “hangover” will leave no doubt that this was not up to snuff.
For this grade, you will probably get trim of shake. That isn’t really what this is but it is an easy way for dispensaries to offer this grade of weed if they choose to offer it at all. It isn’t pretty but there are times where a bit of dirt weed, ditch weed, or schwag can fill in when there’s nothing else on the table. So, roll up and make the best of the low-grade high.
Conclusion about the A-AAAA+ Grading System
First, it is the system most commonly used in Canada. It offers a clear and concise way of determining cannabis quality that everyone can easily recognize. It became the accepted universal rating standard around the world. Now that you are able to recognize how the system works you can easily identify the different grades of your weed.
Also, take note that the difference between some of these levels is so subtle that they may go unrecognized by most cannabis consumers. So, don’t let the ratings be your only guide. Let your personal tastes define what you like best and let those be your top-grade products. Remember, not everyone can differentiate between a 30-year-old whiskey and a 15-year-old whiskey and that is perfectly okay.
Let your high define your tastes and just sit back and enjoy.
Check out our Strain, Dispensary Reviews and Coupons
At The Pot Advisor, we compare and test weed all over Canada. We pride in finding the best products and dispensaries in Canada, if you are still looking for the best place to buy your weed or the best weed strains check out our reviews and you will be able to find everything from AAAAA Weed, Concentrates and Edibles.. Don’t forget to search for our exclusive coupons before buying to your favourite online dispensary!
