Dispensaries Are Lying to You About Weed Potency

The Truth About Cannabis Test Results

In today’s legal cannabis market, THC percentage has become the ultimate selling point. Walk into any dispensary, and you’ll find jars labelled with numbers like 30%, 35%, or even an absurd 40% THC. But here’s the harsh reality: dispensaries are lying to you about potency—or, more accurately, the entire system that produces these numbers is built on a foundation of deception.

Why Are Weed Potency Numbers Inflated?

The simple answer? Money. Consumers shop based on THC percentage, so growers, dispensaries, and testing labs all have an incentive to push numbers as high as possible. Here’s how it works:

• Biological Limits Exist: Cannabis can only produce so much THC. The absolute maximum natural THC percentage tops out at around 35%, and even that is rare. Most high-quality strains hover between 20-25%.
• Selective Sampling: Growers submit only the best buds for testing—the ones coated in trichomes and grown under ideal conditions. The rest of the batch (what actually ends up in jars) can be much lower in potency.
• Lab Shopping: Some cannabis testing labs are known for producing inflated results. A grower sends the same sample to multiple labs and chooses the one that provides the highest THC reading. If a lab refuses to cooperate, it will lose business to labs that will.
• Moisture Manipulation: Growers can artificially boost THC percentages by over-drying buds. THC is measured as a percentage of dry weight, so the less water content, the higher the reported THC number.
• Regulation Loopholes: Unlike industries like pharmaceuticals, cannabis testing is not standardised across the board. This means labs can use different testing methods, some of which naturally return higher potency readings.

Why High THC Doesn’t Mean Better Weed

Many consumers believe more THC equals a stronger high. This is not true. The best cannabis experiences come from a balance of cannabinoids and terpenes, not just THC alone.

• Terpenes Matter: Compounds like limonene, myrcene, and pinene significantly impact the effects of cannabis. A lower-THC strain with high terpene content can feel more potent than a dry, overcured 30% strain.
• The Entourage Effect: Cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBC work together to enhance the effects of THC. A strain with 20% THC but a rich cannabinoid profile can be far more enjoyable than a 35% THC strain with no supporting cannabinoids.
• Lab Results vs. Experience: Some of the strongest highs reported come from strains in the 14-18% THC range with high terpene content. The obsession with THC percentage is a marketing gimmick, not a reflection of quality.

How to Spot the Lies in Weed Test Results

So, how can you avoid falling for the potency scam? Here are a few key things to look for:

1. Anything Over 35% is a Red Flag: If you see a strain labelled as 38% or higher, assume the numbers are entirely fabricated.
2. Look for Full Cannabinoid Profiles: A legitimate cannabis test should include more than just THC—look for CBD, CBG, CBN, and terpenes.
3. Check Lab Accreditations: Some states require ISO-certified labs, but many dispensaries still use shady operations that inflate numbers.
4. Ask for COAs (Certificates of Analysis): A reputable dispensary will provide lab results upon request. If they refuse or act shady, that’s a bad sign.

Why Dispensaries Are Not Entirely to Blame

It’s easy to point fingers at dispensaries, but they often just repeat the numbers given to them. The real issue starts at the cultivation and lab levels. That being said, dispensaries should be educating consumers rather than pushing inflated THC numbers for profit.

Many weed test labs fear losing business if they report accurate THC numbers, so they bump up the results. Growers then shop for the lab with the highest numbers; dispensaries simply pass those numbers to consumers. This creates a cycle of misinformation that is hurting cannabis consumers in the long run.

The UK CBD Market Faces Similar Problems

The same deception that plagues the THC market can also be found in the UK’s CBD flower industry. Many consumers have seen vendors advertising CBD flower strains with over 20% CBD content, but this is not possible within legal limits.

A recent article highlights how legal hemp cultivation laws prevent CBD flowers from exceeding about 17% CBD in the EU. Any flower claiming to have 20%+ CBD either:

• Has illegal levels of THC (over the EU limit of 0.2-0.6%)
• It has been manipulated with CBD isolate to inflate the percentage artificially.
• Is being sold by vendors who are either misinformed or deliberately misleading

The CBD-to-THC ratio in hemp follows scientific constraints. According to research, for a strain to contain 23-28% CBD, it would need to have 1% THC, which is far above legal limits in the UK and most of Europe. Vendors claiming to sell 20%+ CBD flower are either falsifying lab results or dealing with unlicensed underground growers. This deception can cause issues for consumers who rely on CBD for specific dosing needs or those who cannot risk consuming high THC products.

If you’re looking for reliable CBD flowers with accurate potency labels, buying from vendors who follow strict lab testing standards and do not manipulate results is crucial.

How to Shop Smarter for Quality Weed

Instead of chasing THC percentages, start looking for accurate quality indicators:

• Smell and Terpene Content: A strong, complex aroma is an excellent sign of well-grown cannabis. More than THC, terpenes determine the flavour and effects.
• Bud Structure and Trichomes: Healthy, well-cured buds with visible trichomes (the tiny, crystal-like glands) tend to be more potent and flavorful.
• Ask Budtenders About Effects, Not THC: A good dispensary should recommend strains based on effects, not just THC percentage.

Final Thoughts: The Industry Needs Transparency

Until cannabis testing is properly regulated, THC inflation will continue. Consumers need to demand better—stop buying based solely on THC numbers and start prioritising quality, terpenes, and overall cannabinoid profiles.

The next time you visit a dispensary and see a jar labelled 40% THC, you’ll know the truth: they’re lying to you. Demand transparency, educate yourself, and always choose quality over numbers.