By Carson Grant.

Does THC Percentage Matter? A Deep Dive into Cannabis Potency

When shopping for cannabis, most customers—including both connoisseurs and newcomers—tend to focus on THC percentage, assuming that “the higher, the better.” But is that really true? The answer is more complex than it seems.

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🌿 What is THC?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It binds to receptors in your brain’s endocannabinoid system, producing the “high” feeling.

But just like with alcohol, more isn’t always better—and effects vary widely depending on the user and product type.

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🔬 What Does THC Percentage Mean?

The THC percentage tells you how much THC is present in a cannabis flower or product by weight. For example:
    •    20% THC in flower means 200mg of THC per gram of cannabis.
    •    In vape carts or concentrates, THC can range from 60–95%.

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📉 Why THC % Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
    1.    Terpenes Matter Just as Much
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that work synergistically with THC to create unique effects—this is called the entourage effect.
For instance:
    •    20% THC with high Myrcene may give a more relaxing, couch-lock effect.
    •    18% THC with Limonene might feel more energetic or euphoric.
👉 Learn about Common Terpenes and Their Effects (https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-terpenes-and-their-effects)
    2.    Low THC Can Still Hit Hard
Many users report strong effects from cannabis with 14–18% THC when terpene content is rich or balanced. In contrast, a strain with 30% THC and low terpenes may feel flat.
🧠 A well-balanced 17% strain with great terpenes can produce a better high than a 33% strain that lacks aroma or depth.
    3.    Your Body Chemistry Affects Results
THC interacts with individual brain chemistry, tolerance, and even mood. Two people can react very differently to the same product.

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💡 Real-World Example

Let’s compare two actual NYS legal cannabis strains:

1. “Apple Fritter” (32% THC)
    •    High THC, but low terpene content (0.7%)
    •    Users say it’s strong, but effects fade quickly
    •    Tends to be more about raw potency than depth

2. “Blue Dream” (18.5% THC, 2.3% Terpenes)
    •    Strong flavor from Myrcene, Pinene, and Caryophyllene
    •    Euphoric and creative high, lasts longer
    •    Ideal for daytime, anxiety relief, or social use

🧬 Outcome: Even though Blue Dream has nearly half the THC, its effects are more enjoyable for many users because of the terpene profile.

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🔥 Concentrates & Vapes: A Different Story

In products like vape cartridges, live resin, and dabs, THC percentages are much higher (60–95%). Here, the form of extract and terpene preservation become crucial:
    •    Live Resin Vape (85% THC + 5% terpenes) = full-flavor, potent hit
    •    Distillate Cart (92% THC, 0.2% terpenes) = strong but flavorless and flat

👉 Read more from Weedmaps: Why THC Percentages Don’t Always Matter (https://weedmaps.com/news/2022/06/does-thc-percentage-matter)

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🧘 Microdosing & Wellness Use

Low-THC products (5–10%) are increasingly used for:
    •    Anxiety relief
    •    Focus
    •    Pain management without feeling “high”

Balanced products with THC + CBD are also preferred by wellness users.

Example:
    •    5mg THC + 5mg CBD gummies for gentle body relaxation

👉 See Leafly: What Is a Good THC Percentage? (https://www.leafly.com/learn/cannabis-glossary/thc) for dosage guidance.

So, Does THC % Matter?

Yes.. but it’s not everything.

When shopping for cannabis, most customers—including both connoisseurs and newcomers—tend to focus on THC percentage, assuming that “the higher, the better.” But is that really true? The answer is more complex than it seems.

Myth	Reality
Higher THC = Stronger High	Sometimes true, but not always satisfying
Low THC = Weak Weed	Not if the terpenes are rich and effects balanced
THC is the only thing that matters	Terpenes, cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN), and personal tolerance play equal roles

🌟 NY Elite Cannabis Recommendations

At NY Elite Cannabis (https://nyelitecannabis.com), we carry lab-tested, terpene-rich cannabis from NYS licensed growers. We help customers look beyond THC percentage and focus on what fits your lifestyle, needs, and tolerance.

Ask our budtenders about:
    •    Full-spectrum flower (18–22% THC, 2–3% terpenes)
    •    Balanced 1:1 edibles
    •    High-terpene vapes with lower THC for daytime use

 

📍 Check Your Product Legally in NY

Use this official link to verify a licensed cannabis store:
🔗 OCM Dispensary Location Verification (https://cannabis.ny.gov/dispensary-location-verification)