How to Read Cannabis Product Labels Like a Pro

Walking into a dispensary and being confronted with detailed product labels can be overwhelming. Here's how to read them like a seasoned consumer.

THC and CBD Percentages

THC is the primary psychoactive compound, while CBD offers therapeutic benefits without the high. But don't just chase the highest THC number - research shows that terpene profiles and the overall cannabinoid balance matter more for your experience than THC alone.

Terpene Profiles

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis its smell and flavor. They also influence your experience. Myrcene is relaxing, limonene is uplifting, pinene aids focus, and linalool helps with anxiety. Look for products that list their dominant terpenes.

Testing Information

Legal cannabis must be tested for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials. Look for the lab testing date and batch number. Reputable brands make full test results available online.

Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid

While the industry is moving away from these broad categories, they can still be a useful starting point. Indica-leaning strains tend to be more relaxing, sativa-leaning more energizing, and hybrids fall somewhere in between.