Is Weed More Potent Now Than Ever Before?

For some individuals who have been smoking cannabis for decades, it may seem like the modern joint or spliff has a little bit more kick than the cannabis products of old. Believe it or not, this isn't just your mind playing tricks on you. Generally speaking, marijuana strains in the 21st century tend to have higher levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis. Due to advancements in cultivation techniques and an overall better understanding of the plant, weed potency is much higher now than ever before.

What Makes Weed More Potent?

Several factors contribute to the overall potency of any given cannabis product. Usually, when talking about marijuana’s potency, people are talking about the psychoactive effects that someone will experience after consuming those products. Different strains have different levels of cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD (cannabidiol), which are the compounds responsible for the plant's psychoactive and therapeutic effects.

Weed Potency of the Past

Historically, the lower potency of cannabis was primarily a result of the lack of intentional breeding for higher THC levels. For hundreds of years, cannabis plants naturally had lower THC levels because there weren’t as many experienced growers. Before humans came along and discovered that they enjoyed the sensation that THC provided, cannabis plants produced a modest amount of cannabinoids as a defense mechanism. The plant's primary goal in the wild is survival, so THC is necessary to fend off pests and attract pollinators.

Over time, humans started selectively breeding cannabis plants for various purposes, such as medicinal or recreational use. The focus on increasing THC content began more prominently in the latter half of the 20th century as cannabis became popular for its psychoactive effects. As a result, cultivators started breeding strains specifically for higher THC concentrations, leading to the development of more potent varieties that are common in today's market.

Modern Weed Potency

Generally speaking, modern cannabis strains have been selectively bred to have higher levels of THC compared to older varieties. The process of selective breeding has allowed cultivators to develop strains with specific characteristics, including increased cannabinoid content. To achieve this, cannabis growers employ various methods to enhance the potency of their cannabis plants.

How to Make Weed Potent

To create the most potent weed, growers selectively breed plants with specific traits, like high THC content and desirable terpene profiles. This involves choosing parent plants with the desired cannabinoid profiles and crossing them to create a new plant that is more likely to show those traits. Simultaneously, growers will also take note of plants that demonstrate higher yield, shorter flowering times, and natural resistance to common pests and diseases.

For even greater weed potency, hybrid strains are created by crossing different varieties of cannabis plants into an entirely new strain. This process is beneficial, as it allows growers to combine the characteristics (like the ones previously mentioned) of distinct strains. This process allows growers to create new strains that can thrive in various environmental conditions while boasting high levels of THC.

Potent Weed by the Numbers

One study from the National Library of Medicine suggests that from 1995 to 2014, a larger percentage of “sinsemilla” was in circulation than before. Sinsemilla is a type of marijuana plant that isn’t pollinated and is generally considered more potent. Another medical study suggests that THC content in the 70’s and 80’s was as low as 2% for many strains, while some of the most popular strains in 2017 have THC content that ranges from 17% to 28%. 

People have been using cannabis plants for thousands of years, but with the current boom in the market, it’s no surprise that growers are competing to develop the most potent weed strains. At its core, this phenomenon is simply due to supply and demand. As long as consumers like you and I keep shopping for new, fun, and exciting (and potent) weed strains, they’ll keep meeting our demands!

So, is weed more potent now? Overwhelmingly, yes, but you can still find a combination of mild and potent cannabis strains in marijuana dispensaries across Chicago. Have you who have been smoking for a while? Hit me up on social media, and let’s spark up a conversation about whether you’ve experienced the shift in cannabis potency firsthand.